backup lights on a pre'67 bug

[TimD_66]

hey guys..... had another brilliant idea and thought I'd share it with everyone in case others want to do something similar.
So, I wanted to put backup lights on my car, but since i have the original transmission/nosecone in my '66, there's no switch for them. And me being the dirt poor person I am, i wasn't about to fork over $100 or so for one of those speedometer cable reverse light switches, or one of these:

however, i was intrigued by this second style of switch, and thought the design looked simple enough, so i thought why not make my own version?
So that's what I did. I just laid a microswitch(momentary switch with a little arm to push) on the tunnel, under the access plate under the backseat, positioned so that when, and only when, the shifter is moved into reverse, the coupler hits and holds down the switch, turning on the reverse lights.
I ran power from the ignition coil to the switch, and then back out to the lights (wires running through with the battery cable). I also had to make my own set of brackets for the lights so because the set I got was missing both the brackets.
All in all, the total cost of this setup? $15 ($15 for the set of reverse lights from a friend, switch given to me by BanzaiKG, and all other materials i already had).
sorry this post is so long...see pics below for details....

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'58 Ragtop bug - 2276T (Re-assembly in progress!)
'65 13 window deluxe bus (SWR/BG)
'04 VW R32 - 3.2L VR6

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N.A.G.

[xatex]

it's a better design than the reverse speedo cable anyways. if you're sitting in a parking lot in reverse, not going anywhere, the reverse lights will come on with the setup you have.

[60's Burnout]

Tim, you just should get the '67, already has the backup lights and is 12 VOLTS!

[67jason]

i agree, get the 67 already. i mean you can put the 66 fenders on it if you want.

good job being creative man, i wanna check it out at bltn.
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67 bug x3
67 ghia
64 bug

[VolBug]

I like that setup, its something I have been considering doing to my bug too (also a 66). One of these days when the major things like the engine work is out of the way I will have to rig a similar one up. Thanks for the pictures.
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[akokarski]

Tim,

Really nice, 4 more micro switches and 5 indicator lights for the dash and you can have gear indicator. Don't tell me you are not even slightly intrigued by the idea

Anton

[zao]

Very cool idea! You wouldn't happen to have a part number/brand for the switch by any chance, would you?

[rusty57]

How did you get the switch to stay in place? I would like to do that to my 62. Good job and great idea.
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[peaceful warrior]

Any good electronics store will have momentary switches. They are used frequently in security systems. They range from cheap plastic ones with reed switches to metal encased ones with the plunger (similar to the one in the diagram). They can be glued down or screwed down depending on the type you purchase.
Good idea Tim. How did you mount your switch? It looks temporary in the photo.

There are some good photos of different ones in this link.
http://pollak.thomasnet.com/category/switches-momentary-switches
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Brian

[VolBug]

Radio Shack carries a similar switch.

SPDT Switch Without Roller
Model: 275-016 | Catalog #: 275-016

They also have one with a roller if you think it might help.
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Its on the road most of the time!

New 1966 Cosmic Green VW Bug Restoration and Customization site ---> http://66bug.com
or
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[glutamodo]

So, with that micro-switch, I think I might have used it to trigger a relay to turn the lights on instead of having the current running through it. But that's my electronics background talking. Did you use an inline fuse like the factory did off of terminal 15 at the coil?

On my 62, I only went with one backup light (the left one) becuase that's all you got when you ordered them as an option back then. I put mine on because I broke a nosecone and the replacement I put on there had the switch in it, so I thought I'd use it. I've made sure I've always had nosecones with backup switches on there ever since.
-Andy

[ckisela]

arcade machines use an array of different switches similar in style but with variances in the switch style.

[TimD_66]

Glutamodo - well, the lights arent actually wired up to work properly yet, and it did occur to me that a relay would probably be a good idea, although a lot of current flowing through the switch when the lights are on doesnt really seem like it would be a problem, because remember they only go on when im in reverse, which isnt all that much....of course i will definitely be hooking up an inline fuse...(terminal 15 coil->fuse->switch)
anybody know what size(amperage) fuse to use?

the switch is stuck there with double sticky "Super tape" (i think thats what its called), but since i took that pic i noticed that the switch moved a little bit from throwing it into reverse too hard, so i reinforced it in place with duct tape... (hey it works, and you cant see it!)....the switch does have 2 holes for which could be used to mount it with screw i suppose.

note regarding the microswitch Volbug posted, although im sure that could be made to work, i would recommend one with a longer arm/trigger, so that the switch itself can be mounted securely on the tunnel, and then the arm sticks out....whereas with the one pictured, the arm is too short, so you would have to somehow suspend the switch over the opening in the tunnel...much more work than necessary.

[67jason]

[TimD_66]

[glutamodo]

[CNsylvester]

Great idea, but originally, how did VW intend the driver to activate the back up lights?

Here's a book showing the option (RHS only).

[glutamodo]

Well, as alluded to above, either using a speedometer cable switch or one on the shift rod... you can read VW's Technical Bulletins regarding those here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/techbulletins/e3.php
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Andy T.


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[CNsylvester]

thanks so much, didn't see these manuals. Makes sense now. Ken