Reversing Light Bulb

[Turbo Tony]

I've still not fitted the lights in the car, but I wonder if the reason these resistors are so big is because there's an air gap inside. I say this because it was surprising how cool the casing remained even after receiving a current for minutes. As I said, I have no worries about the resistors getting too hot if they're in the cluster, they weren't even as hot as my hot tap water.

[tc4332]

Tony,
Thanks for the update.
I have ordered a pair of these, delivery January.
They also have 30 watt ones at a lower price.

[JulianHicks]

Ray et al:

I haven't read all this thread but I note various comments about the effort needed to change the reversing lights

The Audi A8 Self Study Program [SSP 282] - Technical Features - describes the rear cluster lights as either LEDs or HPVs. [The reversing lights are HPVs].

HPVs are explained earlier in the text of SSP 282 as follows:

"HPV stands for High Performance bulbs ..... Such bulbs cannot be changed by customers".

Julian

[tc4332]

Thanks Julian.
You keep popping up with deep info, good stuff.
I went to the expense of ordering an OEM bulb from the stealers. Had a play with it and realised that the bulb alone could not be replaced.
My quest here is to improve the light output from the reversing lights.
I'll probably invest in bigger candles to light the way backwards.

[ScottD3]

Hows the rear LEDs going?

I'm curious to see what people have used or tried with the hope of improving on them.

We are working on a new range of LED bulbs to replace these. I should have some prototypes coming next week to test and I should be able to share some pictures with you.

[Turbo Tony]

Embarrassingly, I still haven't fitted mine.

I'd be very interested to see your LEDs, Scott. Do you anticipate the use of a resistor on a fly-lead like the ones I bought? If not, I'd consider holding off my installation until yours are available.

[ScottD3]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

Embarrassingly, I still haven't fitted mine.

I'd be very interested to see your LEDs, Scott. Do you anticipate the use of a resistor on a fly-lead like the ones I bought? If not, I'd consider holding off my installation until yours are available.

There will be a drive bit like your resistor but it won't get hot.
It's just there to get the best out of the Crees.

[tc4332]

I have fitted the LEDs in the reverse lights.
Took quite a bit of modification to fit because the terminals are in a different position to the oem bulbs.
Much more light and I am happy with them.
Julian, replacing the bulb with oem would be really easy. Remove boot lid liner, undo three nuts, pull light unit away from boot lid, undo four clips, open light unit, undo two screws, pull two wires off the old bulb.
Reassemble in reverse (pun not intended) order.

[JulianHicks]

Originally Posted by tc4332

Julian, replacing the bulb with oem would be really easy.

Ray; perhaps the SSP translation went wrong and should have said the lights would not need replacing.

But I've no idea why Audi didn't fit LEDs in the car originally as most of the rest of the cluster is LED. How much did that save on a £55,000 car?

[tc4332]

Sorry Julian.
I did not mean to sound critical.
Excuse this BOF (Boring Old Fahrt)