Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: Andy A on 13 December 2016, 10:08:22

Title: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Andy A on 13 December 2016, 10:08:22
Ever since the street lights have gone over to LED lighting, it has become a right pain to reverse into the drive with 3 cars on it. The reversing lights are just not bright enough.

What type of bulbs could I upgrade with?

Thanks

Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 13 December 2016, 10:47:43
I got some "Xenon-look" LEDs from evilBay, not many pennies and they make the MV6 look like a new Jag*.

I haven't actually done any dark reversing to test but they seem brighter than normal?

*in my mind
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Nick W on 13 December 2016, 10:53:26
Reversing lights are more of a signalling device than one to actually see with.

Perhaps a light on the drive would be an easier way to an effective solution?
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Andy A on 13 December 2016, 12:13:08
Reversing lights are more of a signalling device than one to actually see with.

Perhaps a light on the drive would be an easier way to an effective solution?

Looked into that Nick and no way to run a cable for the light. Don't think the neighbours would be very happy either.  :(

GastronomicKleptomaniac I'll have a look at the "Xenon-look" LEDs from evilBay. Do you have a link at all?

Thanks
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: tunnie on 13 December 2016, 16:09:00
Can't say I've used reversing lights to actually see  :-\

Sure driveway light is not an option? Get far better light output, I have a very small LED flood light over the front of section of the driveway, it's super bright and wide, lights up whole front section  :)
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Entwood on 13 December 2016, 17:27:12
Reversing lights are more of a signalling device than one to actually see with.

Perhaps a light on the drive would be an easier way to an effective solution?

Looked into that Nick and no way to run a cable for the light. Don't think the neighbours would be very happy either.  :(

GastronomicKleptomaniac I'll have a look at the "Xenon-look" LEDs from evilBay. Do you have a link at all?

Thanks

If you can't run a cable have you considered a couple of something like this ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16LEDs-Solar-Powered-Outdoor-Security-Floodlight-Motion-Sensor-Outdoor-Garden-/142177290550?hash=item211a6d4936:g:2QwAAOSwImRYJWPn

I have two which have been mounted to slide into the awning rail of the 'van for use when not near electric hookup / lighted areas, I fend them very effective .. and cheap !! Being solar they do their own thing and have never, yet, run out of power ..  :) They go to dim when it gets dark, and bright when motion is detected, then back to dim ...
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Dave DND on 14 December 2016, 09:38:49
I have been messing about with a later generation of LED lights called "LED COB" and they are significantly brighter than the norm

Stick that term into ebay and see what comes up   :y
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 14 December 2016, 09:58:50
Had these exact LED bulbs for reversing in the Omega since May 2015 and they are still working which with eBay related stuff is a good start  ;D

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-P21W-80W-16-CREE-LED-1156-382-BA15s-CANBUS-HIGH-POWER-DRL-REVERSE-LIGHT-UK-/281463553423?hash=item418888fd8f:g:c2sAAOSwU9xUNrCr

As for the light they are night an day difference between the old bulbs it's like a lighthouse behind. I pity anyone who happens to be behind getting blinded by the mighty CREE LEDs  :y
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Andy B on 14 December 2016, 11:08:18
Had these exact LED bulbs for reversing in the Omega since May 2015 and they are still working  ....

I should hope so at that price!!!  :o :o :o  ;)
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Magwheels on 14 December 2016, 18:06:29
Not only do I not think they are "80w" but also not 1258 lumens each! Still, decent COB or Cree LED's (not the cheapo crap) will be far better than an old fashion hot bit of wire. Trouble is people buy the cheap LED's thinking they will be good and they really are not. Modern decent LED bulbs will out perform incandescent bulbs every time but they are not cheap!
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 14 December 2016, 19:13:24
Update - prised the keys off MrsGK and I can testify that the cheap xenon LEDs aren't too great for seeing with.

They do look good though. .. now wheres my backwards cap?
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Andy A on 16 December 2016, 19:09:04
Will have a good read up this weekend.

Thanks all for the info and advice.  :y
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: biggriffin on 17 December 2016, 09:35:44
Fit one of these under the bumper

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B018VVG5XU?psc=1# (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B018VVG5XU?psc=1#)
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Magwheels on 18 December 2016, 12:32:05
Yep, that'll work  ;D
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: neil74 on 19 December 2016, 17:17:56
I realise that reversing lights are not meant to light the street up but they do help to see in really dark areas. and the council have had some contractors replace numerous lamps here too with leds only to have some of them switch off after 10pm??? but then councils aren't really known for using common sense are they.
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: BazaJT on 19 December 2016, 19:15:44
Quite a few councils around the country are apparently turning street lighting off after a certain time of night.To appease the tree huggers it's to stop light pollution and cut down on emiisions from power stations,in reality it's to save money.
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 December 2016, 20:25:22
Quite a few councils around the country are apparently turning street lighting off after a certain time of night.To appease the tree huggers it's to stop light pollution and cut down on emiisions from power stations,in reality it's to save money.
The energy cost saving from switching to led from sodium lights pays for all the installation work and some. On a financial level it actually makes alot of sense, regardless of any budgetary reductions/environmental benefits ;)
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Magwheels on 19 December 2016, 21:10:58
Think yourself lucky.....we don't have any street lights here any never have. Does get rather dark!! LED torches are a boon and a must have.

I do have PIR lights on the drive though, they help a lot.
Title: Re: Reversing bulbs upgrade
Post by: Andy A on 11 February 2017, 13:50:24
Had these exact LED bulbs for reversing in the Omega since May 2015 and they are still working which with eBay related stuff is a good start  ;D

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-P21W-80W-16-CREE-LED-1156-382-BA15s-CANBUS-HIGH-POWER-DRL-REVERSE-LIGHT-UK-/281463553423?hash=item418888fd8f:g:c2sAAOSwU9xUNrCr

As for the light they are night an day difference between the old bulbs it's like a lighthouse behind. I pity anyone who happens to be behind getting blinded by the mighty CREE LEDs  :y

Just an update.

Decided to go with these come the end. Yes they are expensive but you get what you pay for and they really do a fantastic job. I'm very impressed. They are lighthouse bright.

Thanks all for your help.