Definitely upgrade to LED brake and backup lights, a must-do improvement.
But, the high third brake light is a proven safety feature mandated since
1986 in cars, and should have been installed on low mounted taillight
Vanagons.  Especially those driven in congested metropolitan areas full of
distracted drivers texting and talking, like Seattle.

From Wikipedia:

" The 'center high mount stop light' is intended to provide a warning to
drivers whose view of the vehicle's left and right stop lamps is blocked by
interceding vehicles. It also provides a redundant stop light signal in the
event of a stop lamp malfunction. In North America where rear turn signals
are permitted to emit red light, the CHMSL also helps to disambiguate brake
lights from rear position lights and turn signal lights"

I've priced aftermarket CHMSLs and the Go Westy kit is the best deal I
found.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Mudd "Not Jack" Sparrow [mailto:rummaging@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 11:28 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Third brake light

I honestly wouldn't fuss with all that unless you've already upgraded to led
exterior lights. The led brake lights and blinkers seem brighter. Stronger.

And burnt out incandescent bulbs are poor communicators.

> On Mar 15, 2015, at 5:41 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
wrote:
>
> I've installed two of them.  I recommend you don't use their
"professional" method of replacing the male spade connector in the plug,
it's not heavy duty enough, and crimping doesn't work at all.  I did make it
work by soldering it though, If you have already attempted this method.
>
> On the second one I used the included Scotchlock clamp connector and wrap
it in good quality electrical tape. Much easier.
>
> The left side feeds the right side, so you have a bad connection at the
left tail light. Dive back in!
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Patrick Seurynck
> Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 5:21 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Third brake light
>
> I just installed a Third Brake Light kit from GW.
> It is a very simple install and came out very clean.
> I now have no brake lights at all!
> Fuse is good, bulbs are good, all other lights are working, checked and
cleaned the ground.
> No electrical issues prior.
> Any thoughts would be appreciated!
> Thanks! Patrick
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from Gmail Mobile