On Sat, 7 Apr 2007, Jack R. wrote:
> Actually, I was looking for something that was going to increase my
> "back-up" light output, so I don't back into a post or something
> leaving a dark camp ground in the early AM.

I have a few ideas...

Cleaning and tightening the electrical connections at the rear lamps
can't hurt and will probably make the existing lamps at least a little
brighter.  If you're really into it, you can install a relay (just like
for the headlamps) to get a little more voltage to the backup lamps.

You could get a permanently-mounted spotlight like police cars have.
The handle inside the van lets you aim the spotlight, and there is a
switch on the handle.  This does require about a 1/2-3/4" (13-19 mm)
hole in the body of the van, though.  http://www.unityusa.com/ and
navigate to Products, Post-Mount Spotlights.

If you don't mind drilling, you could mount an extra lamp to the rear of
the vehicle somewhere.  A cheap set of fog lights from the auto parts
store would work.  Or, you can get a "utility light" (meant for
tractors, bulldozers, etc) which is basically a sealed-beam lamp in a
rubber housing with a bracket.  You could wire this to come on with the
standard backup lamps, or put a toggle switch on the dash (or somewhere
convenient), or even wire it to come on with the standard backup lamps
OR with a switch on the dash.

If you do mind drilling, ask your geeky friends (or look in your junk
pile if you are a geek yourself) for a dead hard drive.  Take it apart -
Sears sells the set of tiny Torx screwdrivers you may need - and get the
strong-ass magnet out of there.  The magnet is usually about 0.5"x1.5"
or so (13 x 30 cm), and is on a steel backing plate with a couple of
holes in it.  You can use these holes to attach the backing plate to
whatever bracket you need for the lamp.  Then, just stick it on the back
of the van.  You might want a little piece of fabric or tape over the
magnet so it doesn't scratch the paint.  Again, you could set this up
to automatically come on with the backup lamps.  Or, put a long cord and
a cigarette lighter plug on it, and use it for lots of things: stuck to
the rear hatch for backing up, stuck to the side of the van as a "porch
light" when camping, stuck in the engine compartment as a work light for
those side-of-the-road repairs.

You could even mount a lamp _inside_ the vehicle (like shining out
through the rear glass), but if you do this, you need a shade around the
lamp so the glare doesn't kill your rear vision.  Look at any sedan or
coupe that has the third brake light mounted on the rear parcel shelf to
see what I mean.

Some big RVs and buses have a camera in the rear and a TV screen near
the driver so you can see what's going on behind you.  You could buy an
official one with an official price, or scrounge an old webcam with
composite video output and one of those 4" LCD screens that are sold to
use with a handheld video game.  If you do this, you probably need to
wire it so that the LCD screen only comes on when the shifter is in
reverse.  Even though the LCD doesn't have a tuner, you're not supposed
to have a TV set that is visible to the driver in the normal operation
of the vehicle.

Matt Roberds