In my GRP 4 tail light adventures, I have also thought about increasing the brightness. I have just recently been investigating two possible options: Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tubes (CCFL) and Electro-Luminescent Wire (EL-Wire).
The CCFL is now being used in the third brake lights units found on some GM products (Tahoe, Yukon). It is also the lighting used in the new “Angel Eyes” lighting rings found on some Euro cars (BMW). I’ve seen these in white, red and blue light. Available only in fixed shapes and sizes, there may be a properly sized unit out there somewhere, but I’m not yet sure.
The EL wire is not nearly as bright, but is very small diameter (2.3mm, 3.2mm), totally flexible, emits no heat and emits low level light in a 360 degree pattern. EL wire can be found in white, red, yellow. I invision this wire hot glued in a continuous spiral on the tail light reflector.
A good website for info is: http://www.glowire.com/
Both of these light sources are easily available online and need a power inverter to provide the 120AC exciting voltage, just like the HID lighting systems.
Anyone have any technical experience/knowlege with either of these systems that would be of importance to their use in upgrading our tail lights?
Larry
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