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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1306
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 Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:15 pm Post subject: Replacing high beam indicator bulb |
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Hi folks,
Anybody know what the high beam indicator bulb is supposed to be and how hard it is to replace?
The plastic is breaking up in my instrument cluster and I'm not sure whether to risk more or just live with the dead bulb. 1987 Syncro and the foil doesn't match Bentley so I'm thinking it will be hard to find if I mess something up.
Is this bulb a Radio Shack item or? |
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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erdonline
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004
Posts: 943
Location: CT
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject: high-beam bulb |
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The original high-beam indicator is an incandescent bulb with a blue sleeve over it. There were some other threads about replacing it with an LED, but as I recall, some had issues with them being too bright. When Vanagons were first made, there were no blue LEDs available, so they used an incandescent.
Ed
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'85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle |
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0to60in6min
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Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the help ..
but a question .. why my original high-beam indicator is white flat on the top
btw the blue cover is missing too... |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1306
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Hmm...Bentley (1991) already calls them LEDs and emphasizes polarity. Maybe they were already an upgrade at that point? Sounds like just getting the blue LED is the way to go. Thanks for the responses. |
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7thing3
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2003
Posts: 473
Location: Cleveland, OH
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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I would guess if you go with a LED you will have to hook it up with a resistor. LEDs like 2-3V. The original light is probably 12v. Maybe not. Also looks like you would have to mess with the wiring, etc., to get an LED in there.
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'73 Thing--Ted
'77 Super Beetle Convertible
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro
'84 Mercedes 280 CE |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1306
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| yezbut...Bentley 90.18-19 clearly calls out LED's...?? |
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crazyvwvanman
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Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Look closer?
My Bentley page 90.18 says ...
K1 = bulb, high beam
K2 = LED, red, alternator
A BULB is spelled out for high beam, LEDs for the other lights.
The picture shows a small bulb in the K1 position and larger LEDs in the others.
Mark
| Californio wrote: |
| yezbut...Bentley 90.18-19 clearly calls out LED's...?? |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1306
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| yup, duh... |
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Pascal
Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2006
Posts: 825
Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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I put a blue LED in and soldered a resistor in the positive LED lead, but it is still way too bright. I'll put the bulb back in  .
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'84 Westy - 2.2wbx, GT Torque-Biasing Differential
'91 EA Cabby |
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