[TonyB]

First, the only information that I could get from MINI, is that it is 12v and 21w bulb.

I have found a 50w halogen back-up/reverse bulb that I would like to replace it with, but I need to select the right one from a list of several. Between living in a very dark canyon where I often need to make awkward maneuvers, or those poorly lit parking lots, I find this $15 ivestement (for 2) very worthwhile. It does appear that for the MCS it entails the lowering of the exhaust tips for proper access. The MC has directions in the owner's manual...

If anyone can help, please do share! Thanks.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyB

First, the only information that I could get from MINI, is that it is 12v and 21w bulb.

I have found a 50w halogen back-up/reverse bulb that I would like to replace it with, but I need to select the right one from a list of several. Between living in a very dark canyon where I often need to make awkward maneuvers, or those poorly lit parking lots, I find this $15 ivestement (for 2) very worthwhile. It does appear that for the MCS it entails the lowering of the exhaust tips for proper access. The MC has directions in the owner's manual...

If anyone can help, please do share! Thanks.

Bump
I was hoping you'd get an answer

[TonyB]

Thanks obe!

Hey, I would venture to guess that the MC uses the same bulb as the MCS. If so, would one of you fine Cooper owners take a look for me. It appears from the owner's manual to be fairly easy...

Thank you very much.

[wmd]

The backup bulb is a P21, the same as the rear fog and indicator bulbs. Also known as #7506 or #1156 bulb--12V and 21Watts. A 50 watt bulb would definately be too much for the wiring harness and the plastic light housing to handle for more than about 45 seconds. Plastic and 300ºF is not a good combination.

Here is a picture of a gentleman who recently had retina damage when he looked into a 50 watt Halogen bulb.
http://www.sonypictures.com/stellent.../pr1031409.jpg
Not a pretty sight.

You can find #1156 bulbs with a 27watt rating out there as well.

To remove the bulb you don't have to remove the rear bumper or exhaust. On an S, you can pull out the lower valance, and reach up on the left side of the exhaust tips until you can feel the bulb cable. Follow it down to the socket on the back on the reflector housing. The bulb connector is a 90º angle to the bulb socket and sits at 9 o'clock in the locked position. Push up on the bulb socket (clockwise) to about 10 o'clock and the bulb socket will release and pull out. TIP: before pulling the socket out of the reflector, pause a minute to picture the position your hand has to be in to reinsert it later, as this is a blind install. This will save you about 30 minutes of fiddling time later. The harness is long enough to drop the bulb socket below the exhaust tips.

[TonyB]

wmd, thank you for the bulb reference number, the concerns over heat, as well as replacement tips! wow.

i'm torn now if i should get the 50 watter... i don't think that i've been in reverse over 20 seconds, let alone 45 or so. maybe it would never be an issue... do you feel fairly certain that 45 seconds would be the limit for the housing and harness? it sounds as though that you might be speaking from experience...

thanks again!

[wmd]

If it was me, I would go with 27 watts for more illumination, just for long term reliability reasons. I don't know your situation, so it's your call. The 45 sec is just a guess on my part, and if you are reverse much less than that and are judicious in your use of reverse, you could be OK. A 50 watt bulb in brake lights, turn signals or tail lights, that are always going to be on for more that 1 minute, is certainly asking for trouble. Not to mention that they are not road legal either. Reverse light is the only place I would consider using a higher than legal bulb wattage, since it won't be blinding other drivers.

[TonyB]

i appreciate your input and rationalization. i will monitor my use of reverse over the next day or two to get a better feeling about this. as it stands now, the only scenario that i can envision is one where i'm in a parking lot, wanting to back-up, but need to wait for someone else in transit before making my move. in such an instance, one would should probably take it out of gear while waiting. other than that, i guess i should stop my reverse 40mph, ebrake 180 maneuvers thanks again for your help.

[TonyB]

for those who want to go with the 27 watter, i just found these:

http://www.optauto.com/webstore/prod...yes&dept=4 68

i'm going to check a local auto store tomorrow during lunch. 6 more watts doesn't sound like much more, but that's almost 30% brighter, without the heating concerns of a 50. there is always a balance in just about everything!

[vegasmini]

I have been looking in my Hella catalog all night cross referencing and getting specs for all of the bulbs on a MINI. For the back up light (assuming it is an 1156) you can get a 2396 bulb that is the same size and specs, but it draws 29 watts. The 1156 draws 27 watts. The P21 draws 21 watts.

Hopefully this makes sense.

[wmd]

Here is a link I found on bikeworld web that has some hard data on the Halogen heat issue. For those who want a quick snopsis or if the link breaks in the future: the reviewer states that the 50 watt Halogen was too hot for a bike brake light, but might be ok for back-up lights. The halogen measured 314ºF after 2min, a standard #1156 measured 142ºF, and a LED #1156 measured 57ºF. Ambient temp was 55ºF. He said the Halogen bulb was marketed as 2½ brighter, but was only a 'bit brighter' than the standard bulb.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...icles/halogen/

[TonyB]

you are indeed a source of knowledge! i also came across a 29w bulb #2396 by Hella, that was said to work as a replacement. have you heard of this one. thanks again.