Speedtrip Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Hi,I'm still deliberating (and inept) on which light to use as a third brake light. I know a number of owners have used rain lights, which is what I'm leaning towards. I've heard it mentioned there's a need to include a resistor or something within the wiring. Can anyone advise one what, if anything, is required to adapt/change the usage? Cheers,Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 20, 2017 Member Share Posted November 20, 2017 AFAIK the only relevant resistor would be one needed by an LED lamp, there's nothing particularly related to the usage or any change of usage. (Indicators are different.)Some LEDs for car use come with the appropriate resistor, either as part of the assembly, or for you to fit. If they don't then the relevant information should be included, and there are some clever people here who can work out what's needed. The resistors are widely available.So when you've decided what to fit, and if it's an LED, post the information here.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Jonathan,thanks for the prompt reply.The light I have in mind is this one:https://caterhamparts.co.uk/rear-lights/5476-rain-light-race.htmlQuite expensive but seems the business.Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 20, 2017 Member Share Posted November 20, 2017 Previous discussion, possibly including cheaper sources.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 20, 2017 Member Share Posted November 20, 2017 AFAIK the only relevant resistor would be one needed by an LED lamp, there's nothing particularly related to the usage or any change of usage.Unless you're considering using a single lamp both as a rain light on track and a brake light on the road... then there's some diode trickery that's covered in those discussions. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Thanks again Jonathan.The light would only be it ended for road use so the rain light element wouldn't be necessary.Apologies for this but if I'm understanding you correctly, an LED rain light would be need a resistor, either built in or separate to the unit? How would you know if it's built in or not or would you be totally reliant on the instructions?Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 21, 2017 Member Share Posted November 21, 2017 ... an LED rain light would be need a resistor, either built in or separate to the unit? Yes.How would you know if it's built in or not or would you be totally reliant on the instructions?Don't worry about that. Once you've chosen the one you want it won't be too hard to sort that out from the instructions, asking the supplier or manufacturer and... asking here. :-)Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Thanks again Jonathan.I've now ordered the Lifeline unit as posted earlier in this thread. The lights specification includes the following details:Power supply: External 9 to 14VdcPower consumption: 8.4W, 700mA @ 12vAs the unit will take up to 14V it looks to me that it may be okay....but then I now absolutely nothing!Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 The Caterham Lifeline light I fitted a couple of years ago didn't need a resistor and had a similar spec to the light you are fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thanks aerobod,Excellent news. I suspected/hoped it would be okay but its way beyond my understanding.....Cheers,Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick T Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 My thoughts, having just fitted an FIA rain light as a brake light. As it was designed for a race car (formula Ford??) which probably does not run an alternator, it is designed for 12 volts. If you run an alternator (14 ish volts) then a resistor needs to be fitted. There were two included in the kit.The above is subject to someone cleverer knowing more than me who may well correct me!! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thanks Nick,The spec for the one I've ordered says it will run between 9 and 14V, so I'm hoping it will be okay....fingers crossed.Obviously if ones supplied or the instructions say it needs a resistor then I'll fit one. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 22, 2017 Member Share Posted November 22, 2017 Obviously if ones supplied or the instructions say it needs a resistor then I'll fit one. That's what I'm waiting to hear.:-)Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I fitted this one which just connects straight into the brake light wiringhttps://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/rain-lights/keeper-technology-fia-msa-approved-rectangular-rain-light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 Well the units arrived and there's no mention of the need to include a resistor. So I guess it doesn't need one....I've also got the CC sub loom, anyone know which of the two (grey and green) is the live and earth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 24, 2017 Member Share Posted November 24, 2017 Well the units arrived and there's no mention of the need to include a resistor. So I guess it doesn't need one....Probably not, but I'd now ask the supplier and manufacturer directly.I've also got the CC sub loom, anyone know which of the two (grey and green) is the live and earth?To my surprise I can't find the answer, even in the Guide.Have you got the subloom connected to the main loom? I'd use a multimeter to test. But then I wouldn't connect anything to a car before testing the wiring.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 Hi Jonathan,I emailed the manufacturer a weeks ago but haven't received a response.Agree, I'll use a multimeter....Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 Well I've installed the rain lights and sub loom and I'm quite pleased. The lights very bright for a brake light in the dark but as usage will be main during daylight hours and reasonable weather it should be fine. After all the reason for installing the additional unit was so I'd seen braking!One downside is the light will obscure rear vision a bit; I couldn't quite install as planned, but then vision as it was crap anyway with FIA roll bar!Oh, and the green wire on the sub-loom is the live. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 25, 2017 Member Share Posted November 25, 2017 Well done.Could you add a photo of it fitted, please?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 Jonathan,will do.who do do people host their photos with these days? Since Photobucket became difficult I've not post any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 26, 2017 Member Share Posted November 26, 2017 In order of frequency I use iCloud Photo Sharing, Dropbox, and just about everything else known to man. I think that we now know how to persuade BlatChat to show single images (but not albums, galleries etc) inline from all of them...What's the problem with Photobucket?JonathanPS: You can show images in BlatChat either by uploading them directly or by linking to them on an another server. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCol Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Photobucket have got arsey about hosting for third-party web thingies (unless you spend what, to me, is an inordinate amount on a subscription)...Thus:http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r765/BigCol911/2017-06-10%2011.07.51-2_zps8jy5ipuk.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCol Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 well, that seems to have contradicted what I thought was the case! and images that recently had become an arbitrary “you can’t do that” sign have returned - here and on other fora...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedtrip Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Right, here goes my first attempt to post photos of my nearly completed install. Still need to finish tidying the cable and cover the nut and bolt.its bright!https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7rieh9u7sr53vaz/AABMFKcOZIxMPUgc2VPl5r3sa?dl=0Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 26, 2017 Member Share Posted November 26, 2017 You need to tweak the Dropbox URL to make the image show inline.I posted the (suf)fix in the Forum User Guide. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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