Several years ago, I purchased two Model A signal/brake lights to make my Tudor sedan more compatible in today's traffic. I have a very strong mag, so I run on that all the time. The issue that I am having is that the lights are not very bright and I am asking for any suggestions that you fellas might have. LEDs? Halogens? Any other options?

I am extremely electrically inept when it comes to understanding voltage vs amperage vs resistance vs, etc. I just don't get it, despite numerous attempts of friends and family to explain it. However, if given the proper steps, I can solder and wire things up properly. I am used to soldering LED's onto 1/64 slotless cars, which run 14-21v AC. These usually require a bridge rectifier. I can't tell you what the rectifier does - I just know that I need one and the LED's work great with it! Just tell me what I need and I will wire it up. Thanks!

Since you are using Model A lights, Synders sells a LED conversion that may be brighter but they are positive ground which may be an issue since T's are negative ground.

Brattons offer both 12 volt and 6 volt LED lights for their Model A tail/stop lights. That's what I run in mine.

Brattons sells LED tail/stop lights for their Model A drum and tea cup lights. They can be had in 6 volt or 12 volt varieties. I'm running the 6 volt LED's in mine. Plenty bright and low current draw.

Jim, often the real culprit is the very dark red of original lenses. I have replaced originals in my two brake/tail lights with lenses from old kerosine roadworks lights.


They let much more light through.

Just a thought.
Allan from down under.

What is the inside painted like? I painted the inside of mine white and made a huge difference

Try this:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/filter/bulbnum ber,1142,197,9117:


They also have some in 6V

I ordered a Super Bright LED 6 volt 1157 18 degree red tail lamp bulb just to try. On brake, it is incredibly bright, appears brighter than some 12 volt LED’s . Am adapting it to use in my stock ’26 tail lamp housing. Only cost $3.95.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-19-led-forward-firing-cluster-bay15d-retrofit-car/156/

(Message edited by AzBob on June 02, 2017)

As Dallas says, I paint the inside white, it does make a big improvement.
Just do one, put the lens back, wait until dark then turn the lights on and stand back and take a look.

I'm with Dallas and Aaron, painting the inside white will make the most difference. You can easily see my tail/brake lights in the daylight. They are stock 25 tail lights painted white inside and converted to two element sockets and just standard bulbs (1157). I have also used the led but you will be happy with the results if you paint them.

I paint the inside silver, makes a big difference, you can see them in either daylight or at night. Not so sure about white...there are a lot of different shades of it...silver or argent, there's only 1.

I lined the brake light on my '20 with the shiny side of heavy alum. foil. Makes a huge difference.

I Painted two tail lights inside for comparison. One I painted white, the other aluminum. Aluminum paint appeared to be the brighter of the two.