Topic: Fuse question if I make the backup lights, tail lights too
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Gold MemberThe Villages, FL - USA
Joined: 8/14/2012
Posts: 40
Vette(s): 78 Black Coupe with Oyster interior and mirrored T tops
I've replaced the brake lights and backup lights in the rear of my 78 with LED lights. All four are brake lights. Obviously the two middle lights are being powered from the original backup lights pigtails right now and only work when I back up and don't really give a lot of backup light. I want to rewire them into their respective brake lights next to each of them. Since the backup lights and the Tail lights are on different fuses will I need to increase the amps (20 now) in the tail light fuse? Please say no..LOL I'd rather have a root canal than work on the fuse panel!!
|UPDATED|3/17/2014 5:56:54 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|3/17/2014 5:56:54 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
No need to increase the fuse rating, since you are using the LEDS....they don't run the amperage that incandescent bulbs do. You'll actually be taking some load off of the circuit with the LEDs. The only issue you might run into is the flasher. Since you are removing some of the load from the circuit, the turn sigs may flash slow, or not at all. Easy fix, tho..just get an electronic flasher, and you're good to go. 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Hi Milt, I recommend that you stay with the 20A fuse. The main purpose of the fuse is to protect the wire should there be break in the insulation, which could cause a meltdown.
Hopefully the LEDs will not draw as much current as the stock bulbs, so you should be OK doubling up.
Joe T
Gold MemberThe Villages, FL - USA
Joined: 8/14/2012
Posts: 40
Vette(s): 78 Black Coupe with Oyster interior and mirrored T tops
Thanks! I appreciate the input.
Gold MemberThe Villages, FL - USA
Joined: 8/14/2012
Posts: 40
Vette(s): 78 Black Coupe with Oyster interior and mirrored T tops
Thanks to all, I finally just got around to connecting those inside lights to their respective outside lights. And the fuse wasn't the issue. Turns out the Flasher needed to be upgraded as was suggested by
Adams'' Apple! It is capable of handling up to 10 lamps and 400 hour life. Had to first go back to two lights (disconnecting the inside ones) for the new flasher to start working. Then connected the inside ones and boom!! they work fine! I will mount backup lights under the bumper, as soon as I put the side pipes on and get rid of the rear mufflers!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Custommilt said:
Thanks to all, I finally just got around to connecting those inside lights to their respective outside lights. And the fuse wasn't the issue. Turns out the Flasher needed to be upgraded as was suggested by
Adams'' Apple! It is capable of handling up to 10 lamps and 400 hour life. Had to first go back to two lights (disconnecting the inside ones) for the new flasher to start working. Then connected the inside ones and boom!! they work fine! I will mount backup lights under the bumper, as soon as I put the side pipes on and get rid of the rear mufflers!
Some great ideas for backup lights in this thread:
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/3588946-late-c3-taillight-idea.html
I like these Eagle Eye LEDs
I'm also converting mine over to all 4 taillights w/LED's. I borrowed the idea from this guy. Check out the YouTube clip.
I bought 2 extra stock '80-'82 taillight housings. Split all 4 housings in 2 since they are bonded together. Used clear silicone to bond the "red" 85 millimeter halos to the inside of the lens. The halos will be my running lights. The bulb is a 1157 style single point "red" led. Those will be for my brake and turn signal lights. Very bright when bench testing with a 9 volt battery. Plus they don't have that truck trailer light look.
Soon as the weather breaks I'll be wiring them in. Can't wait.
The reverse lights will be in the license plate bracket.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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