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Window-mounted fuel filler cap & reversing light/plate l
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:26 pm
by chodjinn
Hey, two questions;
1). I'm after moving the fuel filler cap from the rear of my car to a permanently fixed lexan/polycarbonate window. As such I'm lookinf for a decent fuel filler cap ... ideally I'd want an Aston type (it's for my MGB Sebring) but they're like £158!! Alternatively I don't mind fitting a flush one, has anybody done this or have any good suggestions?
2). I was wondering if there is a light unit avaibale that would illuminate my licence plate and also incorporate a reverse light? The MG BGT has two reverse lights on the rear end and they look fugly, but I can't totally get rid of them for legal reasons. Again, any suggestions?
thanks in advance
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:40 pm
by DaveEFI
Lucas made a combined numberplate and reversing light in chrome - .still available new from Holden at a price.
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct. ... L469/53161
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:15 pm
by chodjinn
£103.49 +VAT, they gotta be having a laugh with that price?! I think I'll just make one myself! Sheesh!
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:14 pm
by DaveEFI
chodjinn wrote:£103.49 +VAT, they gotta be having a laugh with that price?! I think I'll just make one myself! Sheesh!
Originals do come up at autojumbles from time to time. But may be a bit old looking for your car - they're a '50s design.
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:11 pm
by Ian Anderson
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:22 pm
by JSF55
How about a couple of those ultra bright leds and use them too hold the number plate on ? .... not the cheapy ones off ebay tho ! that should point the light in the right direction ?
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:14 am
by Jono FD3
^^^^ AGREE ^^^^
A mate of mine bought 2 LED's from a german company and they literaly lit the house next door 50 feet away!! but you also need a heat-sink and an LED driver or something due to the sensitivity of the unit with the puls of the alternator charge?!
Have you seen the filler they used on the TVR T350... rathere a cool looking chrome ball fitting with an internal lever to open the filler. It's almost like a rose joint ball fitting but bigger!
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:38 am
by DaveEFI
All LEDs require some form of driver because they are current driven. Exceed that maximum current and they go pop. With simple ones, a series resistor is enough - to set the maximum possible current with the maximum voltage from the supply. But this means it won't be as bright at the average voltage of that supply. Next move is to use a constant current driver - independent of the input voltage. These days it's common to pulse the LED to the maximum current at a speed fast enough the eye can't see. This reduces the heat generated and extends the life.
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:03 am
by chodjinn
I don't run a number plate, just white letters with the standrad MGB GT plate light.
LED idea sounds interesting, coudl I use them for reversing lights and still pass an MOT?
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:55 am
by Jono FD3
simply: yes!
I've done a set of LED lights on the back of the RX7 using the cheepo Ebay ones and not had a problem with police or MOT
DaveEFI wrote:These days it's common to pulse the LED to the maximum current at a speed fast enough the eye can't see. This reduces the heat generated and extends the life.
And that would be the reason why, when you see cars with LED lights on TV it looks like the lights are flickering on and off!! Learn something new every day
Jono
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:23 am
by chodjinn
Any pics Jono that sounds like it would work for me as well?
many thanks!
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:06 pm
by Ian Anderson
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-TECH-WHITE- ... 483b2f2252
Should keep your legal on your number plate lights
reversing light I believe is not mandatory for MOT but if it is present it needs to work
Ian
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:10 pm
by DaveEFI
Not an impressive device - look at the pics of the numberplate. The beam patterns are different between the two.
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:24 pm
by chodjinn
I'm not intending on replacing my number plate light, that works ok, I'd like to get rid of the ugly square reversing lights.
However, if they're not needed for an MOT, can't I just remove them completely? Can someone confirm that for me please?
If so, that is brilliant!
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 1:04 pm
by DaveEFI
chodjinn wrote:I'm not intending on replacing my number plate light, that works ok, I'd like to get rid of the ugly square reversing lights.
However, if they're not needed for an MOT, can't I just remove them completely? Can someone confirm that for me please?
If so, that is brilliant!
I'm pretty certain they neither need to be fitted or work for an MOT.