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juanl Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2012 Posts: 47 Location: United States
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: Keeping map light in place? |
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Hi folks,
my map light has a tendency to pop out of its socket. This makes it relatively easy to touch hot to the chassis and pop the fuse I put it on. I know the light is a POS anyway, but before I go too far with modding, I thought I'd ask: how do you all keep the darned thing in place? _________________ '90 Westy "Kurt" |
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0to60in6min Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006 Posts: 3416 Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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there 2 metal brackets that you should bend out a bit.. no? |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12006 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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VC and GW sell a replacement cigarette lighter unit that holds power accessories much better.
I had a GPS unit power plug that would power off at random until the socket was replaced and it holds firmly now. |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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On mine it's plastic, and the plastic has somewhat deformed over time. Mine would pop out too.
I used a bit of adhesive to keep it in, just a bit on the one side you push in last. The adhesive I used was "3M Super Strength Adhesive"; plain silicone probably won't cut it, but anything stronger will work.
_________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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Snort Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2005 Posts: 1957 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Cut down a strip of black electrical tape to cover those left side power/ground connections on the light assembly which will keep the fuse from popping if it comes out. I used black weatherstrip adhesive on the right side before it gets pushed in, then tape it to the dash pad and (glove box out), reach up and put a little more on the back side. Let it sit for a day before taking the tape off. |
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juanl Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2012 Posts: 47 Location: United States
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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Good tips, thanks guys!
On popping the fuse: unfortunately, I think my toddler managed to do that playing around with this when I wasn't aware it was out. I was planning to leave it popped until I adhere it better _________________ '90 Westy "Kurt" |
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70coupyel Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2006 Posts: 1657 Location: So.Cal
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Keeping map light in place? |
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juanl wrote: |
I know the light is a POS anyway |
If you want to get away from a POS. I had one too.
I alway wanted to go for one of these.
I see they make a LED one now. I never got it cuz I did the Jetta light. _________________
TheAndante wrote: |
Saying that specs are different than dimensions doesn't make sense. Porsche specs/VW specs/engineering specs are nothing but a series of dimensions,sizes,percentages,measurements, etc. |
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338946&highlight=
70 KG Coup
83 Westy Waterboxer |
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goffoz Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 1486
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: Keeping map light in place? |
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juanl wrote: |
. I know the light is a POS anyway, |
Wow..I really like mine.one of the first things I fixed on my van,years ago.
Mine has a broken tab too.
What I did, was get a tube of that foam casing they use in some electronics.
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00yeLtZJFMSpcD/Durkflex-Rubber-Insulation-Tubes-and-Sheet.jpg
I have a tendency to salvage stuff and store it..so I have no clue where you can get it new...but theres a lot in old Xerox printers
slipped that over the wires , split it and it completely covers the back of the light, I changed the bulb for a 4led unit (really bright).no heat to bother the foam
The foam holds it in its hole nice and snug..nice friction fit in the opening..and no exposed wires, to short.
love that little light |
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