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converting rear reflector to brake light

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TomFromStLouis

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I understand there was a tech article in Healey Marque or the other mag about converting the rear reflector on my early BJ8 to a brake light. I want to do this but would need a detailed purchase list and instructions, the kind of hand holding I could get from the article. Is it on the web or what? Anyone want to trade a photocopy for a broken original steering wheel? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif
 
The conversions originated on this forum if you check the archives you will find all you need to know.---Keoke
 
Thank you both. My original archive search was flawed. It seems the kit is a 100% solution, although I cannot tell what the complete $125 kit contains that the $70 "kitless reflectors w/ all hardware and instructions" does not. Is the difference the wires?
 
Tom,
You will have to check with Allen or Jerry at Hendrix because as I said I made my own. The kit should include the halogen bulbs and wiring, but the most significant cost of the kit is the labor I am sure for cutting gaskets, seating the bulb, sealing it and etc.

Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye
 
The light kit is complete, all hardware and instructions.
All you have to do is remove your reflector and mount the new reflector and lamp, then wire up. The $70 kit you use your reflector if the rubber is good. Go to our web.
https://www.hendrixwirewheel.com

Jerry Anderson
Hendrix Wire Wheel
 
Thanks Jerry. If I may suggest a wording change, you might try to make that clearer on your web page. It isn't a "kitless reflector," but sounds more like it should say "reflector-less kit" or something. Or heck, just spell out what you just told us here. Since my reflector and rubber are good, looks like I need the $70 deal. I'll call it in.
 
using your own reflectors, it is very easy to make your own. All you need is two 10 watt halogen lights (can't remember the #, but they are the low voltage type used in outside garden lights) and bulb holders and wire them into your turn/brake light circuit. The bulb holders were harder to find than the bulbs. Try a lighting store rather than Home Depot. Parts are about $15. I just took the rubber out of the reflector and cut a hole for the bulb, plugged the bulb into the holder and wired it in about an hours labor.
 
In the Healey Marque (or was it the other mag)there is a very detailed design to do it complete with the source for the socket and bulb. I think it ran 48 bucks. Very easy to do. The rubber on my reflectors was old so I bought a reflector set on Ebay for $19 and used the bubber and new chrome but my old Lucus lenses. The only difficult thing was cutting a hole in the new rubber. I froze it over night and drilled through. It took just over an hour total. I love the extra safety with out altering the appearence. This is truly a great thing to do.
 
The article you are looking for is in the May 2007 issue of Healey Marque. You can view it online at the Austin Healey Club of America web site under Magazine.
The article is very complete but here are a few things I discovered when I converted my BT7 reflectors.
1. My original rubber pieces were cracked and the chrome rings were pitted so I purchased new reflector assemblies from Moss. I was planning on using the new units until I discovered I could not remove the foil from the back of the new lenses. Instead of having a thick piece of foil which can easily be removed, the new design has the foil reflector embedded in the back of the plastic lens. I couldnā€™t see any way to remove the reflective foil short of grinding it off with a Dremel tool wire brush. Since the new style lens didnā€™t have the Lucas name and my original lenses were still in good shape, I decided to reuse the originals.
2. The old lenses required a little modification to fit in the new rubbers. I had to remove the plastic ridge from the circumference of the lens. Itā€™s only about 1/16th inch wide and was easy to remove with a Dremel tool. Once removed, the old lenses fit perfectly in the new rubbers.
3. Everyone who has done this conversion mentions the difficulty in cutting a hole in the rubber for the bulb. I finally nipped it out with a pair of diagonal cutters. Ragged, but it worked. Maybe the suggested freezing method would be better.
4. As I recall I spent about $35 for the parts and 2 hours of my time.

Given the original size of the brake lights, I think this simple upgrade is well worth while.
 
rob, thats why i waited and found a set of nos lights. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif i spent about $24.00 on the additional parts.
 
Can I extend this thread by asking if anyone can detail exactly how to install a third brake light on an early Big Healey? ie. One that uses a directional & brake light combined. I have Norman Nock's tech tips but there isn't enough info for a beginner like me. When I follow the instructions of the light manufacturer I end up with the brake light coming on with the directional. When I attempt to follow Norman Nock's I end up with the brake light hot all the time. Can anyone really simplify the process. I'm working on a BN6.
Thanks
 
If you wish to have another light come on with brake only, You will need to run an additional wire back to the new light.

This wire can be connected either to the brake light switch or to terminal #5 on the turn/stop relay.

I don't know which method you tried, but it sounds as if the extra wire from the brake switch is connected to the wrong side (hot side) #17 green, of the brake switch. It should be connected to the (switched side) #22 green-purple wire on the brake switch.
D
 
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