Which LED bulb for 67 Beetle dome light?

[[email protected]]

I did a search a while back to find and actual brand/part number for an LED replacement bulb, but it seems like the only replies I found were "replace it with a LED" with no other info. I think the proper terminology for the bulb is called a festoon. Does anyone have any brand/part number/source for a LED replacement bulb that would work in the overhead drivers side dome light on a 67 Beetle? Is it a bulb they've actually used, and were happy with, or simply listing a source? I'm having difficulty actually tracking down the OEM bulb number to use as a crossover reference. Anyone know the factory bulb number?

[Gary Haberman]

I have two 6v cars and replaced all of my lamps (with the exception of the radio #47 bulb and my turnsignal indicator) with LEDs. I chose the festoon lamps from the site below:
http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/festoon-bulbs.php

They have bulbs in both 6 and 12 voltages. The length of the bulbs in my '62 and '66 are of the 36mm variety. I believe your '67 is also that length.

Another choice would be https://www.ledlight.com/searchresult.aspx?KeyWords=festoon.

They also sell LED replacements for taillights, turn signals, license plate and running lights.
_________________
'62 T1 rag top.
I repair radios and dispense free advice on their repair.

[67rustavenger]

I have an LED Festoon dome light in my 67. It's nice and bright.

The one problem that I was having, was that the light is the directional one instead of the 360° model. It would rotate in the holder from driving over bumpy surfaces.

To cure the problem. I put a dab of silicone on the holder where the end of the light protruded through the holder. The thing has not moved since.

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[[email protected]]

Gary, thanks for the info! Doing some more research from your info, it looks like the modern common replacement incandescent bulb for 12v is a "6418". Looks like there are many LED versions of a 6418 bulb. Anyone have any recommendations?

67rustavenger, do you remember the manufacture/part number?

[67rustavenger]

I pulled the bulb out of the car and cannot determine the brand or P/N.

It is a 12V 0.6 watt light. 1.5" long.

This should work for ya.
https://www.ledlight.com/festoon-hi-power-two-1-2-watt-led-light-1-1-2-inches-or-36-mm.aspx

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[mascrappo]

[Digger89L]

According to Cip1, the regular 12 volt, 10 watt dome light is 42mm long and the 5 watt, 12v bulb is 37 mm long.

I found a source for 12 volt 'filament style" led bulbs, in lengths from 31mm, 36mm, 39mm and 41mm. (https://www.tmart.com/COB-Filament-LED-Festoon-Dome-License-Glass-Light-Car-Reading-Light-41mm-Warm-White-Light_p359100.html)

....unfortunately they don't list a 6 volt version.
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"If you can't fix it with pop rivets, crazy glue and duct tape, or hold it together with zip ties, velcro or magnets, it REALLY is broken."

[Busstom]

I'd be curious to know the color temperature of the LEDs...wonder why they don't state as much. Personally, I like the traditional warm white. Cool white might be okay, but that stuff getting into the 6000K range is just too blue.

[Digger89L]

Both web links provided talk about the color of the light their bulbs provide. (yes...I read stuff ....)
_________________
"If you can't fix it with pop rivets, crazy glue and duct tape, or hold it together with zip ties, velcro or magnets, it REALLY is broken."

[glutamodo]

I think these (or previous similar versions, superseded part - as LED lighting is an ever-evolving technology) are the bulbs I have in my Golf and my two Beetle dome lights, plus the extra Type 2 dome lights I re-purposed as under-glovebox "map lights" in the bugs.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/6451-led-bulb-6-smd-led-festoon-42mm-car/2038/

[mascrappo]

[mascrappo]

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[KTPhil]

My preference is for warm white for the vintage look on my VW, but daylight or cool white for a more modern car upgrade.

The directional mature of many festoon lamps is a plus for the dome light. You don't need to illuminate the inner roof!

[Busstom]

[[email protected]]

Just to post an update, I finally got around to getting an LED bulb for my 67 dome light. Most list a replacement incandescent festoon of 42mm long, but for what ever reason, mine was 44. I simply did some searching for a 44mm bulb, and came up with a Matrix X-Series LED Minibulb #X-148 from Summit Racing.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/grm-x-148

The bulb came with a circuit board of 4 rows of 6 leds to make 24 total. It is basically a flat board, so I simply rotated the leds to face outward in the light housing. Here’s a pick of the face of the bulb, it turned for installation, and light output during daylight around 5pm.

[67rustavenger]

That's super nice.
If you find the light getting a bit dim. It may have rotated in the prongs due to the weight of the LED light being offset.
I used a dab of RTV bridging the prong to the bulb. Never had a rotation issue since doing that.

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[glutamodo]