Stealth third brake light

[AUSMHLY]

I've found a couple plastic chrome license plate frames that incorporate red leds. When looking at the frame from a distance, you don't see them. Up close you'll notice the row of clear leds. However when lit, they are red.

I plan on giving this a try, splicing this into my break light wires, so it'll light up only when I press the brake pedal. Currently my brake lights and reflectors light up when I brake. Now I'll have one under the bumper too. I'll let you know if it's works out or if it just looked good on paper, like some of my other ideas.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[HealeyRick]

Anything at the rear end will probably help some, but I think the license plate will suffer the same problem as our brake lights. It's just too low to be in the line of sight of the driver behind you who is drinking a latte with one hand and texting with the other. A CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp) would be preferable, but I don't know how the heck you'd hide it. Maybe you can turn to this guy again for inspiration:

 

[AUSMHLY]

I totally agree Rick, higher is better. What are my options? I don't want to add anything that doesn't look authentic. Most 3rd break lights look too modern and Healeys never had them. Now if I could just get Q to look into this for me, nice one Rick!

Will drivers notice a license plate frame under a bumper light up red when the breaks are applied? People who tailgate probably will not see it and you don't want those people behind you anyway. Especially if they're drinking a latte with one hand and texting with the other. Wow, do they do that in Massachusetts too? I move over to let those multitaskers make the next person they tailgate nervous.

I believe most other drivers will notice it. And that's all I'm after. Just another red light at the end of a small low sports car, that lights up when the breaks are applied.

I'm giving it a try, because it goes along with my, modify but don't show you modify approach. The license plate frame looks like a regular chrome frame from about 10 feet away. Yet it lights up bright red when the breaks are applied. That should get someones attention.

 

[HealeyRick]

About the only option for mounting up high and keeping it stealthy would be a magnetic based one that you could remove when you weren't driving. Another popular solution is using the low profile Suburban one like this and paint the housing body color: CHMSL

BTW, Mr. Bond, will that chrome frame interfere with your ability to make your license plates revolve to show a different number?

 

[Gliderman8]

I have wanted a third brake light on my TR6 for quite some time. A license frame light is just too low on the 6 to make a difference in my opinion.
I decide to build my own with these guidelines:
-Mounts higher up on the trunk lip
-Does not permanently attach to the car
-Can be removed quickly
By the way, I have it configured to flash three-times rapidly then go to steady red
Here is what I came up with....

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hey Rick,
I appreciate your comments and wit.

I'm sure others have mounted their 3rd brake light by suction cup, magnet, velcro, double sided tape or even bolted them. My point is that no matter how you mount it up high, it's going to look aftermarket and out of place on a Healey. I know that's the best place to put it, if you really want it to be the most effective.

I'm just sharing, here's an alternative way to light up the rear of the car with another red light, that's totally stealth, and permanent.

Thanks for chiming in Rick.
Cheers,
Roger

PS. found another led license plate frame that's even more stealth that the other two I posted. This plate does not show any of the led's outright. Here's the write up and a flash of the frame.

"Reese Towpower has created this license plate frame to look like a normal silver frame in daytime, non-braking situations. When you turn on your vehicle's tail lights or activate the brakes, the frame's unique metallic coating becomes transparent, and bright red LEDs shine through. The long-lasting LED cells have two intensity settings. The red lights use low illumination when your vehicle's tail lights are on and high illumination when you activate your brakes or hazard lights."

I plan on wiring it for high illumination brake light only.

 

[AUSMHLY]

I have wanted a third brake light on my TR6 for quite some time. A license frame light is just too low on the 6 to make a difference in my opinion.
I decide to build my own with these guidelines:
-Mounts higher up on the trunk lip
-Does not permanently attach to the car
-Can be removed quickly
By the way, I have it configured to flash three-times rapidly then go to steady red
Here is what I came up with....

Hey Gliderman8, thanks for sharing.
I like your style. That is one of the nicest, creative, cleanest looking approach I've seen yet. I was considering the flash three-times too. I believe I just saw Moss sells a plug in unit for that application.

Congrats on a job well done!
Roger

 

[Keoke]

Will drivers notice a license plate frame under a bumper light up red.---NO!!!

Forget looks this is a safety issue Place a removable light at the top of the boot lid. :hammer:

 

[AUSMHLY]

Will drivers notice a license plate frame under a bumper light up red.---NO!!!
Forget looks this is a safety issue Place a removable light at the top of the boot lid. :hammer:

Sorry Keoke, don't agree with you.
With your logic, then no one sees the license plate, which is not true.
As far as a safety issue, what safety issue. Healey's don't have 3rd brake lights to begin with. So what ever is added, where ever it is added, provides visually more than stock.
My point, as I've mentioned before, just another red light at the rear of the car to add to what's there. Just sharing, for others may find an interest in this.
Cheers,
Roger

 

[Jerry]

I put one of the magnetic ones on my BN4 and even with Felt on the magnets, the paint got scratched. I went for the Surburban version on the BJ8. People don't like the looks, but I have not been hit yet!

Jerry

 

[BigGreen]

The first thing that is unsafe in my opinion is not the absence of a third brakelight, but the rearview mirror.

Its like being on a motorcycle and viewing your arms in the mirror.
The only thing that really helps is enough distance and turning your neck ;-)

I will try to hide a third light in the suitcase

Hans

 

[Keoke]

then no one sees the license plate

The License plate already has its light .

If you feel it meeds more visibilty then use the US version of the Rear license plate bracket and lamp with double bulbs,

 

[AUSMHLY]

then no one sees the license plate
The License plate already has its light .
If you feel it meeds more visibility then use the US version of the Rear license plate bracket and lamp with double bulbs,

Keoke, it's fun bantering with you, and makes for interesting reading.
Thanks for chiming in.

then no one sees the license plate ??
Rear license plates must be visible, that's the law. Mine is and I'm sure everyone who reads this post, their license plate is visible too.

License plate already has it's light. Sure does.

Don't feel it meeds or needs any more light. Stock bulb is lighting up the license plate just fine. This post is not about lighting up the license plate.

So, to sum up.
3rd brake light, more effective if mounted higher on the car.
3rd brake light, many ways to mount on the car.
3rd brake light, many different aftermarket and homemade styles to use.
3rd brake light, if done by any means listed above, will not look stock.

What's my post about?
Keeping the cars stock appearance, while adding another stealth red light at the rear of the car that lights up when you step on the brake pedal.

This isn't rocket science guys. If you have a license plate frame on your car, this is a simple way to introduce another red light that will come on with your tail lights when you step on the brake pedal.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[AUSMHLY]

The first thing that is unsafe in my opinion is not the absence of a third brakelight, but the rearview mirror.
Its like being on a motorcycle and viewing your arms in the mirror.
The only thing that really helps is enough distance and turning your neck ;-)
I will try to hide a third light in the suitcase
Hans

Hi BigGreen,
So true. I don't have any outside mirrors, and rely on my rearview mirror.
If you have a luggage rack on the boot, and strap a suitcase to it, that's a perfect place to incorporate a 3rd brake light!
Cheers,
Roger

 

[Gliderman8]

Hi Hans,
So true. I don't have any outside mirrors, and rely on my rearview mirror.
If you have a luggage rack on the boot, and strap a suitcase to it, that's a perfect place to incorporate a 3rd brake light!
Cheers,
Roger

I actually almost mounted a luggage rack and then mount a third brake light to it.... I just couldn't come to grips with drilling holes in my boot lid.

My opinion: The third brake light is for safety; mount it high and have it removable.

 

[Keoke]

So, to sum up.
3rd brake light, more effective if mounted higher on the car.
3rd brake light, many ways to mount on the car.
3rd brake light, many different aftermarket and homemade styles to use.
3rd brake light, if done by any means listed above, will not look stock.

Well at least you got those points right--- :laugh:

 

[AUSMHLY]

Keoke, you so funny. Got those points and the rest of my post right

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hi Hans,
So true. I don't have any outside mirrors, and rely on my rearview mirror.
If you have a luggage rack on the boot, and strap a suitcase to it, that's a perfect place to incorporate a 3rd brake light!
Cheers,
Roger

I actually almost mounted a luggage rack and then mount a third brake light to it.... I just couldn't come to grips with drilling holes in my boot lid.

My opinion: The third brake light is for safety; mount it high and have it removable.

Hi Gliderman8,
There are luggage racks you can mount to the boot that don't require drilling into the sheet metal.

When would someone remove the 3rd brake light? I would guess to wash the car or store it. Then put it back on? Seems like a lot of needless work.

 

[Gliderman8]

When would someone remove the 3rd brake light? I would guess to wash the car or store it. Then put it back on? Seems like a lot of needless work.

When I attend a British car show, I park it, open the trunk and loosen the two knobs, and presto the light is off and the car looks stock again.
When the show is over, in 15 seconds it's back on!

 

[AUSMHLY]

When would someone remove the 3rd brake light? I would guess to wash the car or store it. Then put it back on? Seems like a lot of needless work.

When I attend a British car show, I park it, open the trunk and loosen the two knobs, and presto the light is off and the car looks stock again.
When the show is over, in 15 seconds it's back on!

That makes perfect sense!
Way to go.