I bet you have the wrong bulbs in your tail lights!

[AliK]

As the title suggests, I always thought my tail lights are more akin to fog lamps in brightness. Which in some ways is no bad thing to get you noticed, but it isn’t great for the drivers behind and it does reduce the relative brightness increase when you brake, as everything else in the cluster is quite bright!

My lights have a 21/5 (yellow mark up) in one part of the cluster and a 21 (red markup) single filament in the other.

Now then, if you look at the back of a light cluster (at the red mark-up) you see it should be a 5W bulb!!! So no wonder it looks very bright.





The closest we can get to it is to use a BAY15S bulb ...

https://www.uklightbulbs.co.uk/car-...olt-light-bulb-6-watts-bay15s-side-light.html

This is the same bulb as in the indicator side lights I believe.

Have a check of yours and I bet you have the same set up as I have!

Do I get a free club anorak now? (Hint hint @jonbills)

 

[jonbills]

I'll post over the entire stock of anoraks.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ali how much do you bet?

 

[AliK]

Ali how much do you bet?

OK I fold - what bulb do you have in yours then?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

OK I fold - what bulb do you have in yours then?

Well in my blue car I had the correct 5w bulbs. I haven't looked at the Samuri, but if I can win some money I might.

 

[AliK]

Well in my blue car I had the correct 5w bulbs. I haven't looked at the Samuri, but if I can win some money I might.

LOL!!

I’m guessing the correct bulbs you refer to are original bulbs / old old ones?

I have red LED p21w on that side of the cluster to reduce the current draw on the alternator / wiring. But having said that they run at 3 ish Watts regardless and I’m tempted to put these ones on from AES which are only a couple of W more but a lot less than 21w!!! Oh and the correct brightness for the lenses.

https://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/lucas-llb207-ba15s-scc-12v-5w-sidelight-bulb-21-p.asp

The other option is to use some spare bulb holders to use the 21/5 bulbs and wire up the 21 side to a concealed switch to be used as a fog lamp.

 

[AliK]

Strangely, also available at screwfix of all places!!!!

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ring-ba15s-scc-5w-side-tail-light-5w-2-pack/8007c

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Here you go Ali. My Samuri has 5w bulbs.

 

[AliK]

Here you go Ali. My Samuri has 5w bulbs. View attachment 44653

Thanks for checking Rob! I appreciate it.

It does seem you have the side light, BA15S there.

I guess most of us not familiar with classic car bulbs have never seen them installed as tail lights and fit the P21W we are all familiar with seeing as tail lights.