Model A Brake Lights
 

So I got a new brake light switch and tail lights work now. but i notices that the lens has red on the bottom and and orangeish yellow on top. the brake light is on the top with yellow side lens. Is that how they were or do i need to try and cut and switch the wires? I’m new to Model A’s and apologize for my newbie ness.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

As with modern cars red should be stop.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/361041...-1/s-l1000.jpg

The top lens is the brake light and it is amber. The bottom lens is the tail light (illuminates with the head lights or parking lights) and it is red. When the tail light is illuminated, it also lights the license plate through a "window" in the bottom of the housing.

If the brake light was the red one on the bottom, the license would only be lit when the brake was applied.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I have replaced my original lens with an early aftermarket one that is all red, top and bottom, and quite reflective also. There are too many bad drivers to keep the amber stop lens.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I actually ordered some glass lenses from Mac's for mine, all red, with the word STOP in the brake section. They are really eye catching.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

The lens you have are original style and should probably be legal in your state. New laws require newer lens to be red. Even if those are illegal in your state I've not heard of anyone being ticketed for them.

Any of the 'A' vendors do have replacement red lens.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I like the LED replacement lens where the whole lens is red and you can have it all come on for tail light and get brighter for stoplight.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I also really like the LED tail lights....much brighter and all red. Also having two tail lights on the rear of the car....I can’t imagine driving a Model A today with only one tail light.....

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Madder a ‘third’ brake light up on top of my spare tire. Since people today are conditioned to look for that light and not so much for the Bic light of a twilight we have. This way when I hit the brakes both come on and people just assume the right side is not working. It catches their eye and they stop-unless they aren’t paying attention and roll into you����.

Mike

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

On my tudor I had 1936 tailights, with 1-piece lenses, this gives a bigger light and easier to see. Same as LaVoy only different. Also had a 3rd light in the rear window.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Not all states allow amber stop lights.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

For years (40+) I ran an original single tail light with original lens (yellow on top). I run a 12 volt system.

Last year, I decided to get the reproduction red lens with STOP etched into the top section. Then more recently, I decided to switch to LEDs for all lights except headlamps. I found that running white colored LEDs through a red lens was not satisfactory; only an incandescent bulb would do. :mad:

So now I run an LED 1156 style retrofit bulb with red light emitting LEDs together with my original yellow on top lens. Wow! When that super bright red LED lights up it turns the yellow lens bright RED! When not lit, the lens stays the stock yellow! :cool:

From superbrightleds.com:

1156 LED Light Bulb with Stock Cover - (36) SMD LED Tower - BA15S Base
Product Code: 1156-R3W-G

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Just a suggestion.


Have someone drive your car for a few miles at night with varying lighting conditions. Follow them. Then decide if you want to drive with that ONE "stock" taillight.


I have followed friends with stock Model A taillights in proper working condition at night and IMHO it is a big mistake to trust your life to them.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

@JohnLaVoy Where'd you pick this up from? I'd love to take a look. Was it 6V?

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

They are made by United Pacific. I bought mine from Mikes Affordable.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Here's mine with tops and bottoms of all three lit up. 6 volt led's from a forgotten post. I'm going to try a momentary flasher on the 3rd light next like I've seen on motorcycles.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Here's something a bit different. A fellow in our club has fitted a rather powerful LED stop and tail light behind the spare wheel and faced it FORWARD. His is a pale coloured car and the whole back of the car is illuminated red. There is no chance of missing it!

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Seems it will not work on 6V according to website info :mad:

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I have the STOP lens on my Fordor along with a 32cp bulb and anyone that has followed me says it's plenty bright. If I were to change to anything else, it would be LED.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I have 6v LED tail lights, a LED brake light in my back window, LED turn signals and LED headlights. Even though they are all 6 volt LED lights they are all as bright as any late model modern car. When they are off they look stock, but when they are on they allow me to see and be seen.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Is anyone aware of a 6V LED bulb suitable for brake light use ??

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Yes. I have them in my Model A. I bought them from a guy from Australia who is always at Hershey and other swap meets.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Mhsprecher - do you have contact info for the supplier ?

Thanks - Jim

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

The Model A suppliers such as Brattons and Snyders has LEDs.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Just google "6v BA15S bulb". Here's one -

https://www.ledlight.com/63-miniatur...ra-bright.aspx

Brake lights should be at least 300 lumens.

Warm white better matches incandescent color.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

FWIW, I tried these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I have the white ones in the parking lights and they work okay but sometimes they drop out, probably a grounding issue. I tried the red one in the stop light but the 32cp bulb was brighter so I stuck with it. Those bulbs are advertised at 450lm but they weren't bright enough for me.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I've read that if you paint the inside of the bucket white instead of silver/metallic/no paint it's more reflective and in turn brighter. Is this true?

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Yes.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I've ordered these to try. They have 6 forward facing leds vs. the 3 in the ones referenced above. Hopefully they will be brighter than the incandescents.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I have one on my truck, 6v positive ground. The one I have there is a very noticeable difference. Sorry can not quickly find the info on them. Can look more if interested.


They are a plugin direct replacement in for the existing stop lamp. I also converted the tail lamp to LED


What has really helped though is I installed a LED 3rd stop strip on my truck, on the tailgate. People really notice it, and do not come up behind me close when braking. I highly recommend using one. People are not used to looking for a small round brake light blended in with a license plate. If installing on a car my recommendation is to install it more directly in other drivers line of sight, instead of in the rear window.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Do you have a picture of adding the 3rd stop strip on your tailgate. Was thinking of doing something similar, or adding in rear window.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I just used Velcro for now to mount it teh brake strip to the tailgate, ran the wiring over to the existing stop/tail wiring and cable tied everything up. Wired it into the teacup tail/stop lamp. Just wanted to mount it quickly without drilling holes to try it. Wish the 3rd brake light also had a tail light in it. Will be permanently mounting it next year. I added clear tubing over the wiring to protect the wiring.


For very rare night driving, I have a farm implement magnetic base battery yellow LED light that I put on the Tailgate, put a very thin piece of vinyl over the magnets so it does not scratch/mar the paint. It can be selectable for flashing or constant on. It is very bright at night. Available on line or at Farm and Fleet/Tractor Supply, might find something suitable at Walmart.


I prefer it lower and on the back of the A in others line of sight.. Have been behind As with the 3rd brake light in the windows. Did not think it was as noticeable.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

GRutter - Sent You a PM, I have a MP4 video of the yellow one flashing at night if you are interested.

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I installed the 1156 style LED red bulb as a brake light, but kept the original style lens with the amber top, as mentioned in post 12. Wow ! It really works well, but when not lit, the brake light looks stock.

Now I’d like to replace the tail and cowl lights with LED bulbs - does anyone know of a source for these ?

I’m running the stock 6V electrical system.

Many thanks - JIm

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

Unless you have a high point show car I would go with the all red lens without the word stop (it blocks light). I would also install a second stop light. Using a yellow light for brakes might waste just enough time for other drivers to figure out it is not a turn signal that you would have an accident.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model A Brake Lights
 

I really try not to drive at night if I have to for some reason I hang one of those large triangular reflectors on the back of my ccpu attached to the canopy posts.