even if I want to answer my phone I don't think I'm brave enough to multi task while driving this tiny car. LEDs are great too since it doesn't require enough power plus it reacts faster than incandescent bulbs. I just like mine looking 60s so I chose the round lights. I'm waiting for this chrome marchal housing with the glass that has a nipple in te middle from a buddy of mine and I'm putting the opttonics pedestal circuits inside that housing. It should look really cool

All,

A related note, I wasn't too keen on the third brake light options I saw out there - wanted it high and thin.

I've not installed it yet, but wound up getting this this, and making up my own

3 feet of red led light strip (can cut it where I want to)

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-accent-lighting/led-light-strips-led-tape-light-with-18-smdsft-3-chip-smd-led-5050-with-lc2-connector/1465/

3 feet of aluminum housing, with white lens

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/bar-strip-accessories/klus-b1888_k7-micro-alu-series-surface-mount-black-anodized-aluminum-led-profile-housing/2039/?accessory_of=1465-housing

I cut both the led strip and housing to the length I want, and then <carefully> bent it to fit the curve of the glass.

I'll be using some clear epoxy to glue it to the glass, and should be just what I was looking for!

Scott

I've had three customer cars hit (wheel lift) and the rollback run into by people talking/texting on their phones. ( One was a one owner 66 Ford Galaxie 500 )

3rd brake light may look out of place on a classic mini but could help prevent being rear ended and being injuried.

I will never answer my phone in the car because I've seen what distracted driving can result in. I would think that an LED bulb in a third brake like would work great, also less chance or no chance of melting the housing.  

Thanks for the great idea.

Optronics ST51RB (if youre a classic mini "restomod" daily driver)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1uCXEyNilw

Best $7.00 at O'Reilly for extra safety since my tail lights are so tiny. Just ground the light through the bottom mount, hook up the red wire to tail lights (park for dim red) and black wire to brakes for a bighter glow.

I hooked it behind the rear window so its very visible and since I dont want to drill a hole on my bumper.

Couple months ago I was rear-ended with my family of four, in San Francisco of course.  By the young hipster dude in the photo whose 4Runner was unscathed.

We were stopped at a light and he was stopped behind us for at least a minute.  Then all of sudden he pushes us out into the middle of the intersection.  Was it Rick Higgs (Hunter2) here that mentioned keeping your wheels straight at the stoplight for this very reason?  If so thank you Rick for that info that was spot on.

His story at first was that he couldn't see my brake lights.  However, we had both been stopped already so that went by the wayside quickly.  Then he admitted he was texting his girlfriend. Oh darn.

Interesting to note that my 80's mayfair front seats both broke at the recliner adjuster.  We all 4 had sore necks but drove home anyway.

Would this be easy to do with an LED light as well??  just curious as the LED would be nice and bright... I may want to try...

You're welcome..

Ian What took me hours of frustration trying to figure out, was fixed this morning in minutes using your instructions. Will help the drivers behind me better see when my mini is stopping. Thank you very much, Jack

Ian,

Appreciate very much your details to help me fix the installation mess that I created. Will try this first thing in the morning and let you know my results.

Again, thank you!!!

Jack

1.  You only need a feed (power) from one existing brake light..and 2. third brake light (or any brake light) should not come on without the pedal being pushed. 

I think you're being confused because your existing light has 2 filaments so is actually 2 bulbs in one.  One filament is switched by the parking light circuit and the other by the brake light circuit (when both are activated the "bulb" gets brighter because both filaments are burning....)

You need to identify the brake (electrical) circuit and connect this to your third light.... sounds like you curretnly have it connected to the "parking/headlight" circuit. 

Wrt to the earth; the (metal) bulb holder should have 2 tabs... one for power and the other earth - it doesn't matter which is which..  The power circuit is obvious and the earth circuit needs a similar wire connected to some part of the car's shell. 

Cheers, Ian

Installing 3rd brake light in rear window of my mini classic.  Spliced the two wires into current left & right brake lights.  3rd brake light comes on with lights but when brake pedal is pushed, it goes out rather than getting brighter.  If grounding problem, how do you ground the 3rd brake light assembly which is all plastic?

Appreciate any suggestions.