You can just replace the bulbs with higher wattage ones, even halogen. Don't
go to much higher in the wattage or you may damage the wiring and switches
in the system.

If you want the BIG lights better to run another wire and switch. I've done
this for others by coming directly off the battery (use an in line fuse),
thus making the light able to work whether the vehicle was running or not.
Handy when messing with the trailer hitch (and not breathing exhaust) or the
camper propane bottles, in the middle of the night, when the only flash
light you can find has dead batteries and your furnace quit (got to switch
to the "third" bottle) but you don't want to wake any other campers, kids or
....( insert the not so nice symbols, found above the numbers on your key
board) who may make you regret leaving home (king size bed, central heating,
should I go on) in the first place!

Paul
Oh, ah...happy camping to all and to all a good night.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@GULL.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: Backup lights

> On Mon, 22 Mar 2004, Greenamyer, William L wrote:
>
> > I don't do much backing up at night or in the dark but as of late, I
> > have had to do so a couple times and noticed that the backup lights on
> > the 84 leaker really don't provide much light.  Has anyone else noticed
> > this and have they made any changes to inprove the lighting?  Just
> > checking to see if maybe there is another size lamp that can safely be
> > installed without melting anything.
>
> For the ultimate solution, I've seen a lot of VW vans with tractor
> "utility lights" mounted under the bumper as reverse lights.  $20 or so at
> Wal-Mart.  Operate 'em with a relay or you'll be replacing the
> transmission reverse switch next.
>
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
> '86 Volvo 240DL wagon