Penthouse tail-light assy

[mkosina]

Hi guys -

I am tracking down a replacement for the penthouse tail-light on an 08 Ford, both SMB and FieldVan are out and it sounds like the OEM may be out of business.

https://shop.fieldvan.com/rear-brake-light-for-penthouse-top/

Looks like this was originally manufactured by Sierra Industries in Livermore, CA as SAE-U-88--DOT (Brian at SMB West was kind enough to dig out some pictures, attached) but not finding any source for that online.

Anybody replaced these before / found suitable substitutes ?

Thanks,
Martin

 

[Twoxentrix]

I believe there were a couple threads on this several years ago - I recall someone just purchased a flush mount LED that was a little larger than the existing hole.

 

[MerlinG]

Interested in this too. My third light doesn't work but I'm in the process of removing the penthouse ceiling to fix known electrical issues and I'm hoping it's a wiring problem as the PO cut all of the wires going up there, otherwise I'll be looking for a replacement option also.

 

[mkosina]

Found an old thread in some Choachmen RV forum where a shop in Oregon had these specific ones (SAE-U-88-DOT from Sierra) in stock at the time - he doesn't anymore, but has a substitute.that he says fits the same cutout.

I ordered one and should have it next week, will report back on fit.

 

[geoffff]

I replaced mine with an LED trailer brake light back in 2012. It was a bit of a fiddly process -- I used some putty to angle the light down a bit so it would shine level backwards, rather than angled upwards slightly with the slope of the penthouse side.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/f...u-do-to-your-smb-today-3234-22.html#post74621

This is what original brake light looked like after only 8 years of use. Totally rusted out:

jage did the same thing:

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/f...urn-signals-and-new-3rd-brake-light-4356.html

 

[bobthecow]

I installed a "universal backup camera and third brake light" module from AliExpress. It was a couple of years ago so the exact one I purchased is no longer available, but it appears to be this same model:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800415603872.html

The back is flat and the whole mess mounts over the top of the hole that SMB cut in the roof.

 

[mkosina]

Ok, finally installed this, good fit but if I had to do it again the camera combo may be a better upgrade.

 

[bigriver-SMB]

Looks good Martin. Can you share a link to the light you used?

 

[mkosina]

My source was gentleman in Oregon named Kevin who runs some kind of parts store, kvn.wt.7629@gmail.com - I found his contact on another RV forum while googling the original part. Very good to deal with.

I should add the original cutout for the Sierra light is a bit bigger, so the screws on the new light have *just* enough of an edge to go through, so it's important to center it - worked out on mine, together with some sealant for good measure.

Cheers - Martin

 

[mkosina]

Found his card - attached

 

[boywonder]

Doing a quick search on AT-24-LED OVL yielded this:


https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=at-led-24-ovl

 

[geotrek]

Thank you guys! That is valuable information that I'll use to fix this problem. I took the van into have a new state inspection sticker here in Texas and the mechanic noticed the brake light was not working. I hadn't realized that was a brake light until he noticed the issue. Anyway, I was able to get the vehicle inspected with the promise of fixing the lights myself. Thanks again.

 

[BrianW.]

Revisiting this thread to see if anyone has found a better direct replacement for the (crappy) OEM SMB third brake light? Mine is rusted out inside like everyone else's seems to be, although it still works now that I replaced the bulbs. Definitely a case of SMB installing it upside down and having the weep hole at the top rather than the bottom (duh).


The whole unit was held in place with what looks like foam weatherstripping or double-sided foam tape, which I also need to replace.

 

[boywonder]

A while ago I reworked my spare "CHMSL" with a really bright LED array. Unforch the LED has no markings on it, but I'm pretty sure I found it on Ebay.


I need to fabricate a small adapter plate to get it mounted cleanly.......now that I pulled it out of the cabinet maybe that will happen.


I just noticed the olive green gizmo behind the light in one pic....for the keen observer, that is a Linear, direct drive electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV) body from the F-22 Raptor afterburner. The wires glued all over it are strain gauges..that was the burst test unit.

 

[doublevan2]

boywonder - I had to replace my CO2/Propane alarm mounted on my driver side wall - up high - and I used a carbon fiber plate cut to fit a slightly larger opening than the device plate. Maybe think on that solution - with some rubber gasket backing and SikaFlex or similar ? Good luck -

 

[boywonder]

boywonder - I had to replace my CO2/Propane alarm mounted on my driver side wall - up high - and I used a carbon fiber plate cut to fit a slightly larger opening than the device plate. Maybe think on that solution - with some rubber gasket backing and SikaFlex or similar ? Good luck -

...this is a spare light that I had in the parts bin......the light on my roof is working fine.

Just posting here to give folks ideas on retrofitting LEDs to the stock SMB penthouse brake light. That saves having to fit round pegs in square holes etc.

 

[BrianW.]

A while ago I reworked my spare "CHMSL" with a really bright LED array. Unforch the LED has no markings on it, but I'm pretty sure I found it on Ebay.

Hmmm, I kinda like this idea! I'll have to do some looking around. Definitely makes sense to reuse the housing if possible. Mine still works, so I have some time to play around with it.

 

[1der]

I just noticed the olive green gizmo behind the light in one pic....for the keen observer, that is a Linear, direct drive electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV) body from the F-22 Raptor afterburner. The wires glued all over it are strain gauges..that was the burst test unit.

Yep, was wondering what that was :b1: Amazing the stuff that collects in our garages because it might be useful later. I would love to have an F22 in my garage. :b5:

 

[boywonder]

Amazing the stuff that collects in our garages because it might be useful later. :b5:

Not this one.....purely a chachki.....It was my going away present when I quit working at Bendix in 1991

 

[TimRiker]

A while ago I reworked my spare "CHMSL" with a really bright LED array. Unforch the LED has no markings on it, but I'm pretty sure I found it on Ebay.

Did you replace the light frame? or just the led inside? It looks like both screws on the lens on mine no longer work. I'm searching for a replacement that fits in the penthouse and wondering how to extract the existing light.