headlamp 'city light' as a signal?

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

reading thru a thread here got me to thinking. why not put an amber bulb in the 'city light' socket of the SWB early headlamp style, and wire it as a signal lamp? I'm putting on glass fenders so this would allow me to close up the signal buckets for a cleaner look, and save a bit of weight too. anyone done this? any thoughts? Don.

pics showing the light bulb and socket.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

There was a car build documented on here recently (a mad red thing with bolted on arches) that had this style of modification done to it. I requested more details but never got any.

I like the idea and was considering trying to do something like this as well. The only issue I can see is trying to ensure there is enough distinction between the signal light and the head lights when driving at night.

You might do better replacing the city light with some style of motorbike indicator which would separate out the signal light from the head light?

jpnovak · 03-17-2010, 05:21 AM

I don't think the stock incandescent bulb would be bright enough, especially with the headlights on. they would be overwhelmed in such a large reflector.

How about a small LED cluster like this. Might not be the best one but you get the idea. A small MC stalk mount to bolt where the existing bulb is.

Super Mini 1" Chrome 6x LED Turn Signals Indicators x 2 : eBay Motors (item 280417874338 end time Mar-31-10 12:59:08 PDT)

You might also consider an LED strip around the bottom of the housing. this would be similar to the Porsche/Audi light strips or BMW angel-eyes.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

What's the lighting requirements for front of the vehicle? Anybody know?

jpnovak · 03-17-2010, 07:30 AM

In TX the requirement is a clear bulb behind a colored lens and visible from the front and side of the car.

Pazuzu · 03-17-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyD

What's the lighting requirements for front of the vehicle? Anybody know?

Varies state by state. At least for the older cars, you're more likely to sneak something past any inspection requirements you might have.

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Varies state by state. At least for the older cars, you're more likely to sneak something past any inspection requirements you might have.

this is sort of what I'm thinking. as long as it's not blatantly illegal, I figure I can talk myself out of trouble with a 45 year-old car.

I like the idea of a small, self contained brighter light. I was also thinking of a small reflector standing up behind the light. would look more 'stock'. the car doesn't get driven much at night anyway.

thanks for the ebay link Jamie, I think those might be just the ticket. I could mount them at a slight angle to give a little more side light. also mount them as far forward in the bucket as possible.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I like the idea of moving the turn signals up to the bucket and maybe using a led light above the regular turn signal hole. That way I could open up the turn signal hole (in my RSR bumpers) to allow more air to enter for brake cooling. May be moot though as I have brake cooling holes too.

Pazuzu · 03-17-2010, 08:05 AM

In general, from the handful of states I've studied, you need the turn signal to be visible from the front and side, and you must have either a light or reflectors that pretty well define the corners of your car.

Are you going to make the city light into a dual brightness parking/turn lamp? If not, you still need some kind of amber parking lamp.

Canada Kev · 03-17-2010, 10:18 AM

I agree with Jamie that the light would likely not be bright enough. My city lights give off a nice glow, but I certainly wouldn't rely on them being seen by other motorists.

Even in an ROW car with the signals only visible from the front, they have repeater lights mounted on the fenders behind the front wheels for side visibility. In my opinion, this method is actually MORE visible than the North American standard of having front and side signals on the bumper corner.

Duane V · 03-17-2010, 10:37 AM

I believe some early Beetles had the turn signal in the headlight. It looked to be a larger bulb so you may need to change the socket in-order to use a bright enough bulb.

Duane

tcar · 03-17-2010, 12:45 PM

It will be invisible with the headlights on. To be even slighty visible, it would need it's own reflector, it doesn't, it's just sitting there out in the open.

Even modern cars (Mercedes?) are VERY hard to see when the headlights are on when the turn light is in the same housing, and they have their own reflector.