Re: Upgrade Reverse Lights (Tedd)
I would avoid the 50 watt halogen retrofit bulbs (about 5 bucks apiece). The package says they are safe to use in all vehicles but I disagree. I tried them in my brake lights and they do indeed get very hot. After a short period I could smell hot plastic in the trunk. Even the outside of the taillight lens was getting warm. I quickly took them out to avoid heat damage.
Also, those bulbs are more than double the rated 21 watts for the stock bulbs. If you use two, you increase electrical load from 42 watts to 100 watts.
To achieve a modest increase in light output, I recommend you try the 3497 krypton-filled lamps, commonly found on Hondas, Acuras, and some other Japanese makes. They are Japanese spec lamps. The 3497 will replace the P21W. It uses 27 watts, but is rated at 45 candlepower. The P21W is rated at around 37.