Yes, the reverse light can be brighter.

 

Unfortunately, in an open area without much for the light to reflect off of, this is what happens. The rear visibility with the RAV4 isn't the greatest at the best of times so I've learned to be cautious.

 

This is my first car with tinted glass, and I noticed that the reverse light barely does anything when in complete darkness, in an open area. I assume it is probably because of the tinted glass. Usually I don't really care, as even a little light is more than enough, but it has been really bothersome with this vehicle. Does anyone have any recommendations (which don't including installing off-road lighting ), or is it just me having this issue?

The bulb format / part number is 921.

Wedge Miniature Bulb.
12 volt.
Trade No.: 921
Life Hours: 1,000
Candle Power: 12.8

There is a 921 base bulb used in 12v landscaping and is listed as 18 Watts. If there is someone out there who can find out if the equivalent candlepower is greater than 12.8 this bulb might be an alternative. I bought 4 for less than $4 at Lowes or HomeDepot. Alternatively I could try to replace one in my Rav4 this week and go by eye to see if it's any brighter.

 

Either replace the bulb or ride your brakes to get more light.

You can always add on a reverse sensor or a back up camera.

 

All the 921's that I find have design watts of 17.92 and C/P of 21. The design volts are 12.8....It is a T-5 Bulb 5/8" (16mm)Diameter. Wedge type base. The 921's have the highest C/P available in that style.
I found a #1992 halogen bulb that is a wedge type base with 64 C/P and design volts of 14 that mite work. It is a T-3 1/4 Bulb 13/32"(10mm)Diameter. I will have to locate and see if it will fit, Tim
I found one at NAPA...have to order...about $10 each..Pretty sure it will fit, but not 100%.

 

Hmm, I found some interesting bulbs on this site -
http://www.superbrightleds.com

Nothing appears to be as bright as the halogen bulb wingdr found, but I might consider some of these for dome lights and front turn signals. The prices look pretty reasonable.

 

Glad to see I am not going crazy (assuming you ignore my "out side" thread). wingdr, are you going to order that bulb? The specs look really good.

 

This is my first car with tinted glass, and I noticed that the reverse light barely does anything when in complete darkness, in an open area. I assume it is probably because of the tinted glass. Usually I don't really care, as even a little light is more than enough, but it has been really bothersome with this vehicle. Does anyone have any recommendations (which don't including installing off-road lighting ), or is it just me having this issue?

The bulb format / part number is 921.

Wedge Miniature Bulb.
12 volt.
Trade No.: 921
Life Hours: 1,000
Candle Power: 12.8

There is a 921 base bulb used in 12v landscaping and is listed as 18 Watts. If there is someone out there who can find out if the equivalent candlepower is greater than 12.8 this bulb might be an alternative. I bought 4 for less than $4 at Lowes or HomeDepot. Alternatively I could try to replace one in my Rav4 this week and go by eye to see if it's any brighter.

pls post pics of before and after

 

I hope the NAPA bulb works! This has been one of my gripes as well. Living in the country, it is hard to back out of a long driveway.

 

Reverse bulb

Thought I weigh in on this, since I went through 3 types of bulbs. 1) was an LED type 2) another LED but bigger and more LEDs on the tip, it almost did not fit into the housing and keep falling out. So had to put small electrical tape to hold it.3) Nokya Hyper White 921 bulbs work the best. The bulb are blue in color, yet way whiter then OEM. The LED made alot of light at lamp housing but not much output outwards, if you know what I mean. So this will work for now.

 

Nokya Hyper White 921 bulbs work the best. The bulb are blue in color, yet way whiter then OEM.

Where did you buy them?

 

I usually roll down the windows if I'm not certain ( that was before I installed a backup cam) ;-)


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

Would like to know this as well (strangely, I didn't get notified people replied to this topic, thanks for asking), as this still is a problem.

 

Bulbs

Here is where I bought the Nokya Hyper White 921 Bulbs Nokya Hyper White 921 Bulbs. Just something I just bought and have not install yet for more lighting when backing up. LED 3rd Brake Lights, Chrome License Plate Frame with White LED Back-up Light ~ Rodworx Street Rod Products - 1-877-763-9679. I just got it today ,I will post back here to let you know how it goes, and I add pics.

 

cue another dumb girl comment: this topic surprised me, as I've always thought those lights in the back are for people to see YOU from behind, not lighting your way.

I actually think the RAV has pretty good rear visibility, compared to many other current vehicles

 

Yes, that's the reason for the back-up lights. But lets say that you have to back-up your Rav 4 at night into an area that has no street lights. In this case bright back-up lights illuminate the area you are backing into. In a tight place with curbs, or maybe trees, you want to see what's behind your Rav 4.

A lot of truck drivers have rear floodlights on their trucks for this reason. I have them on my ATV, because when riding on trails at night, if I have to back-up to turn around I don't want to hit trees and other obstacles with the ATV.

 

look for cree leds,

 

Back light

Ok, I just finish the license plate back up light(the LED type). It went well and it added a lot more light for backing up.

 

looks good. can you take a further shot? so we can compare the lights

 

I will try and take a picture tonight of it backing into my garage. Problem with flash on camera ends up not giving right kind of image to see, and taking off flash did not help. I was going to buy those cree led's, but I was worry about them getting to hot. Do you have them on your's?

 

If you camera allows it, use a longer exposure while disabling the flash. Put it on a chair (or tripod), since things will look blurry otherwise.

Cree has a really good reputation when it comes to LED lighting, so would love to know who sells them, and if anyone is using them in their RAV4.

 

i do not have them on my rav4. but a friend has them on his sicon and they are super bright! like you would think that they were headlights when shown on a wall

 

Night shot

Well here is the night shot, this is a view from inside my RAV4 backup camera.Toyota RAV4 Forums : RAV4World.com - dtalk's Album: DTALK MODS - Picture
There is also a view outside looking at my garage door sorry I was stepping on my brake lights at the time I took this photo. Hope this helps

 

it looks nice!

off topic. what head unit do you have? it doesnt look oem but it has the toyota screen

 

Pioneer Avic 930BT, I did a review on a another thread.

 

I did mine for the same reason and for putting out more light for back up camera to see more, which now it does, thanks to the plate light.

 

Have you had a chance yet to try that new light bulb you purchased?

 

If you are talking about Nokya Hyper White 921 bulbs, yes. even now I can tell both the license plate led light and the Nokya Hyper White 921 bulbs has made a huge difference. I was at a dimly lite parking lot and backing up showed me more of what is behind me then before. (I have park at this lot many times in the dark so I would know)