I have been running 50 W halogen bulbs in my back-up lamp sockets for 3
or more years now. No melting of housing evident. These are German made
bulbs that fit into the bayonet mount socket.

While an improvement over the stock back-up lamps, they still don't
really provide enough light when backing up - and I don't have dark
tint on windows, god only knows how those with dark tint can see out
through rear window at night.

So I mounted a cheap (as in found at Sally Ann) "driving light" , with
a 55 W H3 bulb, to top of back bumper, relayed it, tapped activating
wire from relay to stock back-up light wire. Much better light now.

I took the 50 W bulbs and swapped them into the brake light sockets. I
do like how much brighter they are now. Wondering though if i should
relay this circuit too, but seeing as the back-up light circuit
survived the load...

Tip 'O the hat to Terry K for his consistent proselytising on the
improvement to brake lights with higher wattage bulbs.

Alistair

'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/