TD back up light/lights? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stevo · #1 08-02-2010, 07:55 PM

I really like the TD, but haven't driven it much at night, where I had to back up, say.. a long dark driveway

, with tinted rear and side glass. Looks to me like that red light could become more 'back up' help? I hate to ditch any of the Euro "look" but I need to see

sixto · #2 08-02-2010, 08:28 PM

Is there a question in there?

How about upgrading the single white lamp to a 55w halogen with appropriate wiring? Something like this if available for your lamp -

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-lights/halogen-back-up-bulbs.htm

Sixto
87 300D

glenlloyd · #3 08-02-2010, 08:58 PM

get a slimline 55w fog lamp and mount it under the rear bumper, wire it into the backup circuit so it comes on / goes off with the reverse switch.

...sorta like what sixto said...

steve a

Stevo · #4 08-02-2010, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the ideas, A brighter bulb in the existing fixture would be a good start. I dont want to hang anything down under the rear bumper and was considering using the lamp with the red lens on the driver side. On the US TDs is that not also a back up lamp? sorry if my question was unclear.

MBeige · #5 08-02-2010, 11:05 PM

A Euro TD will have a red rear fog light on the driver side. This could be on the left or right side, depending on where the driver sits.

The US versions had reverse lights on both sides.

Stevo · #6 08-02-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

A Euro TD will have a red rear fog light on the driver side. This could be on the left or right side, depending on where the driver sits.

The US versions had reverse lights on both sides.

Thanks, a couple of those halogen bulbs in two back up lamps should brighten things up.

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 08-03-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

Thanks, a couple of those halogen bulbs in two back up lamps should brighten things up.

A few points -

Easiest option would be to wire the left red-fog to the right backup lamp and replace the red lens with a clear one. This will double the load on the backup circuit to 42 watts, but you'll probably be able to get away with that. Many years ago, my '84 Euro TD was converted this way to dual backup lamps. So far, no problems.

If you want a pair of 55-watt backup lights, best bet is to find a small pair of 55-watt clear-fog or driving lamp units. I don't tink the existing OE plastic lamps can be retrofitted for 55-watt bulbs.

2 x 55 = 110 watts. You may need to wire in a relay as the original backup switch & circuit may not be up to this added load.

Other possibilities - LED lights are bright, but are low-wattage & run cool. There are a some small LED driving lamp units that could be adapted to replace your OE backup lamps, or you may be able to simply brighten-up your existing OE lamps by substituting a pair of LED bulbs.

Happy Motoring, Mark

sixto · #8 08-03-2010, 01:03 PM

Sixto
87 300D

Stevo · #9 08-03-2010, 03:27 PM

Thats IT "spot lights" for the W123 will serve for backing up as well as playing "spotty" at the drive in

, and for shooting deer.

Twin spots could work there way back to popularity through us

andrewjtx · #10 08-03-2010, 03:50 PM

I'd love to find a pair of smaller, brighter housings that could be mounted cleanly flush under the bumper. Then fill the stock holes and have the bumpers rechromed.

The stock location was a completely boneheaded move. Exhaust stains and easily damaged. BOO.

andrewjtx · #11 08-03-2010, 03:52 PM

I might also try some bright LED 1156 bulbs in there. SuprBright has some 24-led bulbs in a wide patter. Might just work for more light with no major power draw.

Stevo · #12 08-03-2010, 04:59 PM

Had a chance too pull the lenses and bulb holders and found the left (red) holder rusty with only about 2/3 of the reflective surface good. First rust I've found on this car. I see the lenses may be available but haven't looked for the bulb holder yet. LED does sound like a good answer for bulbs, if one could use the same holders, or get new ones that would fit in the space.

Mark DiSilvestro · #13 08-03-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

I'd love to find a pair of smaller, brighter housings that could be mounted cleanly flush under the bumper. Then fill the stock holes and have the bumpers rechromed.

The stock location was a completely boneheaded move. Exhaust stains and easily damaged. BOO.

I'd try to find a sedan bumper before going through the hassle of filling & chroming a wagon bumper.

My '84 Euro TD came with a US front bumper, so I replaced the badly-mangled rear Euro bumper with a matching US sedan bumper, since I was unable to find an equivalent wagon unit. Then I mounted the backup lamps under the bumper, where unfortunately, the right lamp subsequently got smashed on a high curb. So I moved the remaining backup lamp to the center, where it's better protected and still passes inspection.
At Pep-Boys, I did find a very slim pair of multi-LED driving lamps that I could install, but they're pretty cheaply made in China, and might still be vulnerable to damage under my bumper.

As for rusty OE backup reflectors, clean them up with a wire-brush attachment, then respray with silver paint. They don't require a mirror finish like headlamp reflectors.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Stevo · #14 08-04-2010, 06:27 PM

Got the driver side "red" wired up to the passenger side back up light and have a new lens on the way to replace the red one. I think I will go with halogen #796 bulb. It produces 62 candlepower, vs. the stock bulb's 29 candlepower, and its 35w power consumption is not enough be be a problem with the wiring. This is according to "Daniel Stern Lighting" anyway. He has been right on in the past but I'm just wondering what others are using.