brighter backup lights...
#1
brighter backup lights...
If anyone has ever been annoyed by the lack of brightness of the stock 18 watt 921 backup lights (especially annoying with tinted windows), there are a few alternatives that I have found.
- ERD bulb - 35 W halogen bulb originally intended to be used with overhead projectors. Should be roughly 2x the brightness of stock.
- ERF bulb - 50 W halogen bulb also originally intended to be used with overhead projectors. Should be roughly 2.5x the brightness of stock. Note that 50 W is the power consumption of low beam lights on many cars and will generate quite a bit of heat. I don't know if they will melt anything if left on for an extended period of time.
Both of these have the same base as the 921 bulb and should be a direct fit. In looking around on the internet, I've come across several forums where people have used these lights with great success. The lights are a bit hard to find though. Seems like online camera shops and speciality light vendors have them. Prices vary from something like $25 ea to $8 ea depending on the vendor. Should all be the same items, so go for the less expensive ones.
Note, these are halogen bulbs, so only handle them with rubber gloves to keep oil and debris off the bulb.
- ERD bulb - 35 W halogen bulb originally intended to be used with overhead projectors. Should be roughly 2x the brightness of stock.
- ERF bulb - 50 W halogen bulb also originally intended to be used with overhead projectors. Should be roughly 2.5x the brightness of stock. Note that 50 W is the power consumption of low beam lights on many cars and will generate quite a bit of heat. I don't know if they will melt anything if left on for an extended period of time.
Both of these have the same base as the 921 bulb and should be a direct fit. In looking around on the internet, I've come across several forums where people have used these lights with great success. The lights are a bit hard to find though. Seems like online camera shops and speciality light vendors have them. Prices vary from something like $25 ea to $8 ea depending on the vendor. Should all be the same items, so go for the less expensive ones.
Note, these are halogen bulbs, so only handle them with rubber gloves to keep oil and debris off the bulb.
Last edited by mrfred; Nov 23, 2007 at 10:33 AM.