3rd brake light

[bobhenry]

Trackstriper was my benifactor and sent me his unneeded 3rd brake lite designed to fit in a reciever.



Thanks Bruce

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of course I broke it ......

Not really I just remover the logic board and the 16 red LED lights attached to it.

It was about 2 1/2" x 2 1/2 and about 5/8" thick. Unfortunately it wouldn't quite fit in it's new home. So will notice it has been carefully ground down while avoiding getting into the circuitry on the board. I also ground 1 side down on the red reflector so it would fit in here.



The circuit JUST fit in its new home. Secured with a little hot glue we were able to firmly install it in the globe. When I went to put everything back together I found the wick dome was hitting the reflector so out comes the grinder again and ground away the little dome and all went together well.

Of course we had to test it and guess what it illuminates with the tail lights and brightens with the brake as promised with no interference from the turn signals.

If you can find anykind of light housing that will give you 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 by 5/8 deep you can have a theme brake light. The lights are red LED's so even a clear lense would work.

I am so tickled now the barn will have a theme 3 rd brake lite.

THANKS AGAIN, Bruce

[bobhenry]

oops forgot this shot with the logic board and lense installed. Guess I got a bit excited that it really worked HUH?

[Trackstriper]

You're welcome, glad you made it work.

[bobhenry]

I had to sneak out in the predawn darkness to get the full impact of the little lantern.



It's in the same position low and in the center. It seems to be a bit brighter directly behind but old what's her name
had her car in the way for this shot so I took if off to the side.

Now I gotta get the barn wired for it's new 3 rd brake lite

[bobhenry]

The tiny trailer gods were with me!

I never measured the little lantern I just knew I had plenty
of room.

The prow of the barn roof is supported with a 1x4 spine.
I walked out side armed with screws and drill driver and
was about to cry there did not appear to be as much room
as I remembered.

Turns out the 9 5/8" tall lantern would just squeeze in the
9 1/2" between the bottom of the spine and the 1x3 trim
above the door. A big blop of 100% silicone on the door trim
and 1 well placed screw thru the metal lantern chimney cap
and it was going no where.



Now I have gotta fish some wires up from the low tails
under the paneling and get my little light to shine

[bobhenry]

I remember someone talking about adding a brake light above the hatch but I can't seem to find the post.
what I am looking at is installing a 3rd brake light. Could someone pass on some information.
The lights are on the frame below the rear hatch. It makes it hard to see that low.

thanks
Steve G

Well some times it just takes a while.......

What I have learned........

The cost of a $16.00 logic board and then having to find an appropriate light was just more $ and aggrivation than I wanted. So I went looking for alternatives and originally thought I could accomplish this with a little relay , but such was not the case.

In steps Bruce , with this donation

It arrived a week ago and I finally got in the mood to disassemble it and evaluate what could be done with it. Well the rest is posted but there is a general note. ANYONE wanting a 3rd brake light could easily use this unit and surface mount it. Disassemble it ,8 little phillips screws and its apart , you will have to cut the 4 way flat off to remove the logic board from the body. Take the black body and saw off the portion that slips in the tube and grind it smooth reinstall the logicboard with the screws that were removed now reinstall only 2 of the screws that hold the lense on and drill the other 2 for tiny #6 or smaller 2" long bolts. Slip the bolts thru the lense and gently tighten the bolt with a nut behind the black housing with these 2 in place remove the screws holding the lense and repeat for the remaining 2 holes. A dot of silicone under the heads on the lense side will keep it waterproof . There will now be a 1 1/2" +/- hole where the circuit board will be exposed it may be best to seal this with some weather proof plastic tape or maybe my personal favorite ice dam tape. Your 4 little legs added to the unit are now your mounting bolts to your trailer. Drill a small hole for the wiring and seal with silicone. Mark and drill for the mounting bolts and mount the lite. I would pull it snuggly into a bed of 100% silicone caulk to further weatherproof it.

You now have a 3rd brake light under $10.00 :thumbsup:

[Mukilteo]

I got this from J. C. Whitney, with 2 bulbs it also works as a turn signal.

[Von Pook]

Hey Eric, Eric here, I got the exact same 3rd brake light as you, but put 12 bright LEDs in it wired to the tail lights. I feel safer having a bright tail light way up on the tear. Let the tailgaters know somethings there.....

[Mukilteo]

Ya, my trailer is more of a workhorese than a showpiece. I also put on tacky looking reflecter tape. My goal was a easy & cheap to tow bugout trailer that also is also fun to camp in.