Re: [T3] Clear Lens Source?

[hedge <hedge@bluegrass.net>]

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On Monday, Sep 1, 2003, at 22:54 US/Eastern, Jim Adney wrote:

> On 1 Sep 2003 at 2:10, hedge wrote:
>
> > http://thesamba.com/vw/gallery/index.mv?photo+102976.jpg
> >
> > Anybody seen another source for these clear taillight lenses? We are
> > putting together an ultra bright LED light assembly and these would be
> > perfecto. They gotta be cheaper than a pair of Amber-on-Top Euro 
> > lenses!
>
> No offense, but I gotta wonder why anyone would want such a thing. 
> They are
> bound to be illegal in every state (brake lights have to be red) and 
> they would
> increase your chances of someone rear ending you because you didn't 
> appear to
> have any brake lights.

> I suppose that if you were still using red LEDs then you could still 
> claim to
> be meeting the spirit of the law, but someone might still use this as 
> an excuse
> to put some or all of the blame on you.

I agree that the clear lens would look quite anemic when the lights are 
off. Perhaps I can set it up so the rear red LED running lights are on 
when the ignition is on. This would be a card -based 96 LED assembly - 
not one of those cheesy bayonet bulb replacement types. It will be 
quite red and close to 3 times brighter than stock when the brakes are 
applied and 2x brighter than the stock tail light / running light.

Amusingly this started out as an effort to make the car safer! My 
motivation stems from what I have seen on some of the new cars, like 
the new Caddys. The LEDs turn on 200 milliseconds faster than 
incandescent bulbs (1/5 of a second) or almost a full car length of 
extra stopping distance at 65 miles an hour.

You can add an additional time/distance buffer of 170 to 200 
milliseconds by reducing human reaction time via an LED CHMSL (Center 
High Mount Stop Lamp).  This "third brake light" can reduce reaction 
time even more in bad weather.

Esthetically, I really like the amber tops of the euro T3 tail lights 
and the clear lenses make that look possible - at night anyway. I also 
wanted to get rid of those bumper mounted back-up lights by adding a 
white LED section to the taillights.

Hmmm... maybe the whole top portion of the tail light could switch from 
amber running light to bright white when reverse is engaged.

> I DO understand the allure of just being a little bit different,

People think we are peculiar anyhow - the only things air-cooled in my 
neighborhood (Valley Station, KY) are the lawn mowers, just owning a 
Type 3 is different enough.

Hedge
'69 Fastback

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