Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Skeomorph
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:25 pm
Location: Reading, Berkshire

Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Skeomorph » Fri Mar 11, 2022 7:08 pm

Hi,

I've been searching without success for suitable E-marked lights for the smooth rear Type 3 moulding. I've given up and decided to make some pods for myself. As I haven't taken delivery of my kit yet, I'm not sure if what I've come up with will fit! Here are some pictures of a rough prototype I've made with my 3d printer:
Lights 3.jpg
Lights 1.jpg
Lights 2.jpg
Lights 4.jpg
The lights are LED units from a Land Rover, I'm wondering if they might need a heat sink?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Weg
Posts: 807
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:30 pm
Location: Huntingdonshire

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Weg » Fri Mar 11, 2022 7:29 pm

I like the concept and design.
What are the temp characteristics of the material?
How about a mounting bracket?

Skeomorph
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:25 pm
Location: Reading, Berkshire

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Skeomorph » Fri Mar 11, 2022 8:33 pm

Hi westendguzzi,

The mounting is built into the light pod, the pictures below show how.

View from above looking down on the lights:
Lights 5.jpg

View of the 'face' that bolts onto the body:
Lights 6.jpg

I'm not worried about the plastic melting, I'm concerned that the light units will overheat without being bolted to a large lump of aluminium...

Weg
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Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:30 pm
Location: Huntingdonshire

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Weg » Fri Mar 11, 2022 9:25 pm

Don't forget about the MSVA regulation that they must be 600mm min between illuminating surface.
How will this affect the position and angle on the body?
Tony

Richard and Pat
Posts: 778
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:44 pm
Location: Biggleswade

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Richard and Pat » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:49 am

The search is a long one indeed and especially for 'E' marked items.
If you live near or fancy a trip I am in Bedfordshire SG18 and have recently completed the fitting of the 'Vintage' rear end.
First pic: Glassed in aluminium reinforcement as recommended
Second pic: Testing look
Third pic: Rear set to correct mounted angle, on measured and squared of board to establish correct positioning of lamps
Fourth pic: The finished item
Attachments
Rear dev rsz_img_3910.jpg
Rear dev 1rsz_img_3780.jpg
Rear dev rsz_1img_3802.jpg
Rear dev rsz_1img_5442.jpg
Last edited by Richard and Pat on Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

Richard and Pat
Posts: 778
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:44 pm
Location: Biggleswade

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Richard and Pat » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:51 am

Tractor lamps used but I did look at masses of alternatives. Your idea holds water especially in the need for 'E' marked items.
Attachments
Rear dev rsz_tractor_lamp.jpg
Rear dev rdz.jpg

Richard and Pat
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Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:44 pm
Location: Biggleswade

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Richard and Pat » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:53 am

Have you attached the lamps to a battery and tested the heat generated?

Skeomorph
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:25 pm
Location: Reading, Berkshire

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Skeomorph » Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:03 pm

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your comments and pictures, they're really helpful. I think my home brew light cluster has got potential, providing I can get a decent surface finish; as a high resolution print will take about 4 days so need to make sure everything's right before starting! Looking at your pictures, I think that once I've got the angle between the bodywork and the axis of the car right I will be in the ballpark for 600mm between the lights as highlighted by Tony. The only way to be sure though is to measure up my bodywork when I get it next month.

I haven't connected the lights up to a power supply yet (building that's another project!) but will do. I'm hoping that worst case all I'll need is add an aluminium disc between the light and the housing. ...

Thanks,
Andy.

V10Mike
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Location: CAMBRIDGE

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by V10Mike » Mon Mar 14, 2022 5:32 pm


Richard and Pat
Posts: 778
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 2:44 pm
Location: Biggleswade

Re: Type 3 smooth tail - rear lights

Post by Richard and Pat » Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:55 am

I did look at those V10Mike as they are a good size and shape and have some Vintage element to the design. However as with every good looker they don't supply Amber lens types. The Amber lens is the sticking point in all the cases of those I liked. In the end I bought some amber lens paint designed to make your faded lenses Amber again and painted the bulb and the inside of the white lens of the lamps I chose which are from a Tractor rear wing.

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