3rd brake light bulbs

1. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

   #1 20th September 2012, 18:07

   Hi
   Considering going for an LED bulb change on my 3rd brake light (one in the top centre of the boot)
   
   Basically, they're currently the bog standard 501 bulbs that shine through red reflectors
   Now I'm thinking do I get red LEDs? or white ones
   As will the red even illuminate past the red reflector, or will the whites be my only option?
   
   Decisions!
2. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

   #2 23rd September 2012, 12:29

   think white ones will do seeing as the standard shine yellow
   
   i can imagine red being too dim?
3. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

   #3 24th September 2012, 07:49

   That's what I thought but was in two minds
   Only one way to find out!
4. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

   #4 24th September 2012, 09:20

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by LSOfreak think white ones will do seeing as the standard shine yellow i can imagine red being too dim?

   Red is a bad idea as you'd essentially be dimming them.
   
   Standards are bright enough, if you get white ones you'll probably find they go a pinkish colour
5. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

   #5 24th September 2012, 14:47

   Damn and blast!
6. Baz Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150

   #6 24th September 2012, 19:39

   Gotta be white as mentioned above, will make them look dim!
7. user_49404 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2010 Mid Wales Posts: 604 03 vtr

   #7 24th September 2012, 22:16

   a filter, obviously filters out every colour wavelength except the red, so we only see the red. Having a red led surely means the filter wont affect it that much as its already filtered red..... Just a thought
8. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

   #8 25th September 2012, 07:14

   I've got a few spare white LEDs, might try them - if I can find them!
9. user_21226 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2008 wirral Posts: 6348 Icelandic vtr turbo

   #9 25th September 2012, 08:30

   Yea got to be white mate unless you make a clear 3rd brake light cover and use red ones, I know which is easier
10. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

    #10 25th September 2012, 08:32

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by rorz_vts Yea got to be white mate unless you make a clear 3rd brake light cover and use red ones, I know which is easier

    Lesson learnt
11. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

    #11 26th September 2012, 10:41

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kmak577 a filter, obviously filters out every colour wavelength except the red, so we only see the red. Having a red led surely means the filter wont affect it that much as its already filtered red..... Just a thought

    I'll try and find the exact science for you, but you're right in that regard. Think its to do with the coating on the bulbs already reducing the output, then the plastic on the 3rd brake light is essentially just blocking the light
12. dolby20 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 Esholt - West Yorkshire Posts: 3113 Citroen Saxo VTR 2002

    #12 26th September 2012, 10:42

    Cheers guys
    Will give the white LEDs a try at the weekend