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LED Lighting
Has anyone done an LED upgrade on rear cap / engine access door 2000 HS-45 ?
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29 Replies
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Yes, Al we did on our Vantare, I think I showed you some pics… they came from IBP, as far as I know they are the only ones that come with a bezel so they fit the cutouts… they also come with the wires to plug in.
Unable to upload pics since I changed the compatibility mode…. will email you one.
Diane
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Not sure if you can see the LEDS well enough in this picture…but went into IE and deleted the compatibilty mode then logged back in and photo uploaded… wonder why?
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Al, not sure what it is like on the H, but on my XL2 I just changed the 1156 bulb to cheap LED ones from eBay today. Bit brighter and will draw less power if I am parked somewhere overnight with parking lights on.
Not as nice as a full change out with an LED fixture but cheap and does the trick, and cant really see much of my lights with trailer always hooked up anyways!
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One of the things I worry about when driving at dusk or at night is how fast drivers come up on me in my conversion van. As you know I am working on finding the right and affordable Prevost Coach. Being rear ended in trafficis always a worry if there is a need to slow down quickly because of a accident ahead or just traffic slowing quickly for a backup. I try to give as much room ahead as I can and would do so in a Coach knowing stopping distance is greater in a 45 foot Coach, but drivers always seem to want to cut in front and take up that space so my question is about enhanced lighting at the rear of the Coach. Has anyone added more LED lights for breaking and hazard lighting when in traffic. If I am stopped of slowed at night I would hate to be rear ended by an 18 wheeler because of fog or just not him realizing I am slowed or stopped. Anyone have any thoughts about enhanced breaking and hazard lighting? I know the thought will be don’t drive at night but dusk and night come so quickly in winter even in the West and South. I might be impossible to get off the road before dark. Can additional lighting be added as an after market item to the rear of the Coach? To take it to the extreme wouldn’t it be bizzare to have a message board attached to the back of Coach or Double high Auto trailer
http://k-ksystems.com/products/changeable-message-displays/vehicle-mounted-2/
where you could press one button and have a predetermined message saying “Slowing, Accident Ahead”, or “Moving to the Right Lane”. “Moving to the Left Lane”, “I am STOPPED!.
I think outside of the box a lot. It is a character flaw of mine.
Cheers Michael
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Michael:
Checkout Whelen Engineering: http://www.whelen.com/index.php
They have some pretty interest things available that you might fine fit the bill for what you’re trying to do.
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Larry/Diane,
I see the LED upgrade pictured on you’re formerly owned bus. That appears to be the IBP (International Bus Parts) LED conversion.
Ordered IBP entire set up which I was told was in stock. After waiting 2 weeks I called. There was a problem with one of the lights and wanted to ship complete. I guess their phone only works one way. Asking to ship ASAP IBP shipped it overnight billing me $150 for the delivery.
IBP buying the lights from some vender then glue (silicone) a plate to the back. In order to get the attachment screws they are spot welded to that plate.
After installing 4 LED’s on the 5 th while bolting-up the supposedly welded shaft broke off the plate. It had only been tacked in place but never finished. For what ever reason and probably just hurried work order or lazy these studs should have been mounted behind the plate.
Had proper welding and attention to detail been done I would not be returning the entire order. I’am.going back to the Prevost LEDS which have a problem due to a mount outside edge 1/16 to large.
I’ll post pictures of entire simple LED replacement turning into a major project.
On the right picture showing rear assembly. Stud attached to backing plate with electric weld. Appears to by complete weld. Plate glued to back of lens, believe silicone adhesive.
My choice for attachment of plate to lens would be 3M 5200. Stud welding is key to successful life span of assembly.
Stainless plate around red assembly is laser cut a formed with attractive raised lip.
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Dear ifrdriver: I didn’t realize until 8-14-14 the reality of your fears! Slowing quickly for construction back-up, I was involved in a 5-car smashup on I-15. Not my fault, but 5 cars totaled, one injury (lucky only 1) and $25,000 damage to coach and trailer.
I am installing whelen tir3’s in the oem XL taillight housings on my trailer and one in the chmsl on the coach. The brake lights are steady on, the t/s are set to strobe, the chmsl on the coach will be set to strobe also.
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AL….
Sorry to hear that about the lights… but I remember having a lot of problems having mine installed in Austin… but it was the wiring harness… we also had one come apart and had to epoxy it back together.
Bloody annoying when something simple turns out to be an ordeal !! Hope the Prevost ones are better… how will you rectify the mounting problem with them? Good thing you are retired !!
Cheers, Diane
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I am saddened to hear of your accident. Thankfully the Coach can be repaired and noone was seriously injured.
Hopefully your future trips will be less eventful. Best Wishes
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I think we all fear the other drivers. We should. I’ll bet serious money that with the graphic displays on cars, smart phones, GPS and all the other distractions we are at greater risk on the highway than if we were sharing the road with drunks.
Even Prevost drivers can’t ignore the phone. So I have changed my driving habits to make following me less pleasant by driving slower than the crowd. Not much slower, but a mile or two per hour less than the flow is just enough to encourage those behind to pass.
Then I make sure I retain a whole lot of stopping distance. I know the morons are going to pull in too close and steal my space, but for the most part I want to keep my front bumper far away from the vehicle ahead, because that space allows me to use a nice controlled slow stop compared to one in which I am standing on the pedal.
When I see the construction signs, the merge signs red lights ahead, or traffic bunching up I back out of it immediately. The more I slow down, the further from my front bumper the traffic ahead gets so I rarely have one of those hard stops. I must appear to others like an old mouth breather (which I am) but the last thing I want or need is to get involved in an accident.
To people that have to go fast, or tailgate, relax. Our coaches are supposed to be recreational vehicles. What’s the hurry?
And yes I would love a bunch of strobe lights on the rear along with a bright blinking neon sign that said “back off” or “stopping” or whatever, but when you need a sign like that the most you are already standing on the brakes hoping you don’t slam into the car in front, or get hit by the car in the rear.
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I am not a Coach driver, but I want to be and hopefully in the next year of so I will find the Coach that is in my affordability and quality. But, I have traveled and driven a lot of miles for business in a full size conversion van (not comparable to a Coach and Toad) and I have learned a couple of things that I will incorporate into my Coach Driving. Like you I have backed down on my speed and actually drive the speed limit or a couple of miles over. If you look at the time calculations there is not much to gain by pushing the limit. On an interstate I am looking a long way ahead of the traffic and when I see tail lights starting to engage I back down and put my flashers on. I am suprised how the Semi-Drivers react and immediately begin to slow and they in turn just by their shear numbers and size begin to slow down all the crazies in sedans. I am ready to come to a complete stop well back of the slowing pack. I also drive all two lane roads the speed limit and totally respect the curve speeds. If an on or off ramp or country curve is rated at 35mph, then that speed has been designated for most all driving conditions, moderate snow, rain and night driving. Of course conditions change but those yellow curve speeds can be your best friend. I can not control the other guy as you stated, but I sure can drive defensively as much as I can. Best of luck on the road and may all your travels be safe and enjoyable.
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One very important thing every driver should realize is stopping distance. Our coaches suck. They do not stop anywhere near as quickly as the average car, and speed has a huge impact on our ability to stop.
At 60 MPH we can bring our buses to a stop in just under 300 feet. Even if we could stop from 60 in 200 feet (which ain’t never going to happen) the average family car can stop in 130 feet or less. Some cars can stop in under 100 feet from 60 MPH.
That means we have to be on high alert because if the car in front has to make a panic stop, such as if a deer or dog suddenly jumps onto the road in front of the car, we have to be far enough back to avoid a collision. For those who feel compelled to pick up the pace, the stopping distance from 70 MPH jumps up to just under 450 feet. For those few miles per hour of additional speed the stopping distance has increased 50%. These figures come from Bendix because they have to design the braking systems to meet the federal standards.
If your toad does not have a good braking system, or you are slightly inattentive you need to be very lucky because the car ahead of you will be stopping in 1/3 of your stopping distance. We are dealing with the laws of physics and it is just not possible to stop 50,000 pounds as quickly as a 4000 pound car can stop.
We cannot control the other drivers. They pull in too close taking away stopping distance. They slow quickly and unexpectedly catching us by surprise. Some intentionally set us up so we do rear end them because we are targets perceived to have deep pockets to pay expensive (and phony) medical claims. They really are out to get us. Every other vehicle on the road is your enemy. Really.
My mirrors become a serious and necessary part of my defenses. I am not only trying to stay back from the other drivers, trying to anticipate what other drivers are doing, I am also tryiing to maintain a mental picture of my escape route. If I am caught in a position where I cannot stop fat enough, I hope my use of the mirrors to be aware of an open lane I can jump into will save the day.
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Jon, do you have the transmission retarder on your coach?
My rig with very good triple axle brakes on trailer, retarder on full and a heavy foot on the brakes stops surprisingly fast!!
That said, you need to be on top of things to make a quick stop and be aware of whats in front and behind you!
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Have a Jake. When towing the trailer(3axle 30′ Stacker) I think I stop faster than when not. In fact, I prefer going down the mountain with a trailer than without, because I can use the trailer brakes to pull me back a little. Geo.
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George … a 30′ thee axle stacker? When did you get that? I need to see that!
Did you upgrade the hitch and engine cradle?
Dick
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