Especially if you carry bikes on the back on a hitch mounted rack like I
do.  They further obscure the low down stock lights.  I put some LED lights
in the upper corners of my back window.  They have 2 brightnesses.  I have
them wired through a "hoppy" so that they can show running lights, brake,
and turn.

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM48895.html

Edward

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 11:40 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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
>