Gil_J
06-16-2015, 05:46 PM
Many of us, especially those of us with older coaches, are always looking at ways of improving our coaches or ways of overcoming component obsolescence. Some may recall that I changed my factory taillights out with LED units. I have never been a fan of the oval taillights some have used. I’m also not a fan of round taillights. To me, and it’s personal, the lines on the back of the bus would be better complemented with squared lens, just like Prevost originally installed.
My first change out used 7” square LED taillight fixtures. Although they were aesthetically pleasing to me, the method I used to mount them did not have the factory finished look. The good news/bad news story is these lights, from www.superbrightleds.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com), leaked. I could not find another source of the same sized light from anyone and didn’t want to keep changing them out. So, I would be forced to change to a different light or be bothered with changing out the fixtures when they begin to leak.
This time I selected a common sized rectangular fixture that was available from multiple sources. The size of these fixtures allowed me to install more fixtures than I could with the 7” square ones. It also allowed me to have a matching LED backup light. My next challenge was how to mount these so they look like they were meant to be there. They are typically mounted with a large rubber grommet. That grommet just doesn’t look good. Custom mounting panels would be the best appearing solution.
Unless you have a local source that can laser or water jet cut panels, you may have the same challenge I had. Thankfully, I discovered www.emachineshop.com (http://www.emachineshop.com) that provides a free CAD program for you to design your own parts. It’s been decades since I’ve done any CAD work, but this would be a pretty simple design. Each taillight assembly would only require 2 custom made panels. After my design was done, it was automatically priced, and the finished parts arrived within 4 days of my order.
I struggled deciding what the finish of the panels should be. I could have ordered the outer panels in polished stainless steel, or unfinished or powder coated aluminum or steel. I opted for aluminum and painted them a color that complemented the dominate color of the back of the coach.
I’m pleased with the finished product. I have 2 LED turn signal fixtures, just like Prevost. I have 3 fixtures that are both taillights and brake lights. For added safety, all of my brake lights have a strobe modulator that is active for the first few seconds after applying the brakes. The LED back up light is extremely bright. So much so, there’s really little need for the rear flood light Country Coach installed.
I’d like to see improvements others have made to their coaches, especially those that address component obsolescence.
13684
My first change out used 7” square LED taillight fixtures. Although they were aesthetically pleasing to me, the method I used to mount them did not have the factory finished look. The good news/bad news story is these lights, from www.superbrightleds.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com), leaked. I could not find another source of the same sized light from anyone and didn’t want to keep changing them out. So, I would be forced to change to a different light or be bothered with changing out the fixtures when they begin to leak.
This time I selected a common sized rectangular fixture that was available from multiple sources. The size of these fixtures allowed me to install more fixtures than I could with the 7” square ones. It also allowed me to have a matching LED backup light. My next challenge was how to mount these so they look like they were meant to be there. They are typically mounted with a large rubber grommet. That grommet just doesn’t look good. Custom mounting panels would be the best appearing solution.
Unless you have a local source that can laser or water jet cut panels, you may have the same challenge I had. Thankfully, I discovered www.emachineshop.com (http://www.emachineshop.com) that provides a free CAD program for you to design your own parts. It’s been decades since I’ve done any CAD work, but this would be a pretty simple design. Each taillight assembly would only require 2 custom made panels. After my design was done, it was automatically priced, and the finished parts arrived within 4 days of my order.
I struggled deciding what the finish of the panels should be. I could have ordered the outer panels in polished stainless steel, or unfinished or powder coated aluminum or steel. I opted for aluminum and painted them a color that complemented the dominate color of the back of the coach.
I’m pleased with the finished product. I have 2 LED turn signal fixtures, just like Prevost. I have 3 fixtures that are both taillights and brake lights. For added safety, all of my brake lights have a strobe modulator that is active for the first few seconds after applying the brakes. The LED back up light is extremely bright. So much so, there’s really little need for the rear flood light Country Coach installed.
I’d like to see improvements others have made to their coaches, especially those that address component obsolescence.
13684