Rear Number Plate Light Mod

[Storm Guy]

For the new translucent number plate, thought I'd take the opportunity to also upgrade the poor dim plate lighting.
Nothing new really with the clear brackets and lighting options cropping up a number of times in several threads.

However, was looking for a cleaner, and more uniform type of illumination, rather than the patchy one which the existing lights gave - even with the transparent brackets installed (and festoon leds).
Didn't fancy the foil tape solution either - and with good led lighting should not really be required.

A clear acrylic CRT monitor and keyboard stand (sitting in the attic for over 10 years) was a perfect starting point for the brackets...knew it would be useful one day!
(Though the intention was to use clear acrylic to maximise light/minimise shadowing etc, in the end given my final solution, clear was not really necessary - see below).



A bit of sawing and polishing later....(the 90 degree bracket angle also needed bending with the aid of hot air to around 88-89deg to account for the slight rear curve)



I know they are out of sight, but also replaced the (yellow) dirty rear plate light covers with new Stag / TR6 ones.

LED strip lights at less than £2 each posted....



A bit of modifying and reinforcing the somewhat 'weak' wire connection with some heatshrink and silicone tubing etc.



LEDs and existing lights for comparsion - interesting. The lights gave a superb result.



An existing hole in the soffit of the recess was used for the cable routing.





Daytime



Top- Dusk, Botton - Darkness (through sunglasses!) - some strategically placed black opaque vinyl (just visible in daytime above pic) to the rear of the plate gives a better night time focus on the plate number.

Edited by Storm Guy on Thursday 18th February 22:57

[MPoxon]

That is a really nice solution.

[rigga]

That is neat indeed

[FlipFlopGriff]

Looks good but you need the lights to be visible and not the number plate. Next upgrade I guess. BAZ15D are what you need - straight bulb swap.
FFG

[GlynMo]

FlipFlopGriff said:

...you need the lights to be visible and not the number plate.

Eh?!

[FlipFlopGriff]

GlynMo said:

Eh?!

The red bits
FFG

[Storm Guy]

Thanks Guys.
Yep could do with looking at all the bulbs in due course - noted thanks FFG

[FlipFlopGriff]

These are the rear lights/fog light:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/566cree-5r-baz15d-56...
Stop lights:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/382cree-80-80w-ba15s...
You need red ones as they are better than white.
Enter Audiforum to get 10% off.
FFG

[bomb]

Another excellent mod there, Storm Guy.

[Pupp]

Nice work but I always thought a barely visible but (probably) legally lit number plate was a design positive

[MPO]

FlipFlopGriff said:

These are the rear lights/fog light:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/566cree-5r-baz15d-56...
Stop lights:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/382cree-80-80w-ba15s...
You need red ones as they are better than white.
Enter Audiforum to get 10% off.
FFG

FFG

Have you got some pictures of these working in your Griff you can post? Before and after would be good!

Cheers

MPO

[FlipFlopGriff]

MPO said:

FFG

Have you got some pictures of these working in your Griff you can post? Before and after would be good!

Cheers

MPO

I don't but I can tell you before is just visible, after is like a modern car with LED's. about 700% improvement and a straight swap. Anything that stops someone shunting you in the rear is a bonus (and I'm not gay).
FFG

[MPO]

FlipFlopGriff said:

MPO said:

FFG

Have you got some pictures of these working in your Griff you can post? Before and after would be good!

Cheers

MPO

I don't but I can tell you before is just visible, after is like a modern car with LED's. about 700% improvement and a straight swap. Anything that stops someone shunting you in the rear is a bonus (and I'm not gay).
FFG

FFG


Well, this all sounds good, just what i'm looking for (not the shunting! LOL).

So, is this the supplier you used and did you spec out the indicators, reversing lights or even font lights?

Do they get hot?

MPO

[FlipFlopGriff]

Glyn,
I've only replaced the stop lights and rear lights/fog light not the fronts as I've been told they are extremely bright.
The red ones are best with the red lens. Not cheap but worthwhile IMO. Standard bulbs and a straight swap.
FFG

[MPO]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Glyn,
I've only replaced the stop lights and rear lights/fog light not the fronts as I've been told they are extremely bright.
The red ones are best with the red lens. Not cheap but worthwhile IMO. Standard bulbs and a straight swap.
FFG

Hi Paul

Thanks for your reply, they are now on my shopping list :~)

I just need to find something sensible to upgrade the Main and Dipped on the front now!

MPO

[Bluebottle]

FlipFlopGriff said:

These are the rear lights/fog light:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/566cree-5r-baz15d-56...
Stop lights:
http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/382cree-80-80w-ba15s...
You need red ones as they are better than white.
Enter Audiforum to get 10% off.
FFG

Which option should i check on the 2nd bulb option "redx1" "redx2"?

[FlipFlopGriff]

Bluebottle said:

Which option should i check on the 2nd bulb option "redx1" "redx2"?

Hamish,
I'm guessing you've got a light either side so you'll need 2. The price is for individual bulbs (and less than they were when I bought mine) and also cheaper for 2. Don't forget "audiforum" in the discount code box at checkout for a 10% discount.
FFG

[Barreti]

Why is there a wire at each end of the LED bar?
Did you use the existing hole for the wiring? You're aware that is there for purpose aren't you.

[Rob_the_Sparky]

He has used 2 LED bars (after market DRLs?) as one was not long enough.

[Barreti]

Ah, I didn't spot that on my little screen. Thanks Rob.