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Subject:Re: Additional tail lighting
From:Dennis Haynes
Date:Sun, 8 Jul 2007 16:23:37 -0400

Has anybody ever been rear ended because their vehicle was seen at night?
Seems a lot of effort to correct non existing problem. Now, how many get
rear ended due to the vehicle slowing or stopping without that change
being noticed? A lot. That is why most cars have that third brake light.
That is the addition needed. The best choice is one that glues directly to
the glass. One wire tucked under the window gasket, over the hinge and
down to the brake lights and you are set. Inside mounted lights can not
glare or other wise add light to the interior. The glass mounted units
will address that.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Edward Maglott
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 10:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Additional tail lighting

I've been wanting to add some additional lights to the back of the
van to augment the somewhat feeble stock lights.  One of my concerns
is that when i have my bike on the back of the van, the lights are
partly blocked by it, making matters even worse.  I noticed this
light on sale the other day at harbor freight tools for $12.99:
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=9326
3

My idea would be to put two of these in the back window at the upper
corners, glued to the inside of the glass.  They would be out of view
from inside, since they would be up in the area of the AC cabinet.  I
already have the electrical converter for trailer lights that makes
the 2 bulb light system work with the 3 bulb system of the
Vanagon.  So that would take care of that issue.  I went and looked
at it in the store, and they are bigger than I thought they would
be.  4 inches.  Later, I noticed some lights on trucks that I see on
my commute.  (I like trucks
lately:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emaglott/sets/72157594574573264/ )  I
noticed what appeared to be this type of light fixture on some
trucks.  10 LEDs with a little magnifying lens for each.  5 on each
circuit.  Quite bright and that piercing LED light that really seems
to catch your attention.

This is a project just in the thinking phase, but here I toss it out
to the list for consideration...

Edward