Basic Dual Filament Bulb Question

[fornesto]

Is the brighter of the dual filaments supposed to be for the turn and brake lights and the dimmer for the taillights?

My turn and brake lights are very dim and my taillights are very bright. When the taillights are on with the headlights, you can hardly notice the blinking of the turn signal = ticket in CA. If I switch the two wire leads, will this reverse the problem?

The lights are the '39 Ford style.

[jgalt]

My understanding is that the brake light should be the brightest. This is the one that needs to be the most visible for safety reasons.

[Chuck Craven]

Chuck

[asianflava]

I think that when you hit the brakes, both filaments light. During tail light only one is lit.

[Chuck Craven]

No the tail light is the dimer filiment and the stop/signal is the brighter filiment. Check this out http://www.etrailer.com/faq/wiring.asp

Chuck

[Ken A Hood]

You might also try a "Heavy Duty" flasher. I know when we had a popup trailer, my dad had to get 1 since the lights were dim, and very slow to blink.

[doug hodder]

Something else to consider. I bought aftermarket 40-54 GM taillights for my tear. The inside of the housing was painted black, no reflectivity. I sprayed them gloss white and that made a big difference. Yes, switch the wires, and no, both filaments typically do not illuminate when the brakes are applied, This is only the case if the lights are on and you apply the brakes. Doug Hodder

[Woody]

I would check for a bad ground, Sometimes when a ground is bad the lights are dimmer

[fornesto]

switched the wires and we're A-OK! I might try the heavy duty flasher just to be safe.

[ScottH61]

switched the wires and we're A-OK! I might try the heavy duty flasher just to be safe.

Get yourself an electronic flasher... it regulates the flash depending on the load. That way when your trailer is disconnected, the turn signal won't look like a stobe light. :-)