Dash and interior LEDs question...

[blue]

Apologies for asking another question, but I bought some of these:

[286 WEDGE + 509T BLUE XENON LED REPLACEMENTs] to upgrade my dash dial illumination on my T25 1989 1.7d:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

Trouble is, I can't seem to get them to fit. The metal contact tabs at the top seem to be a tiny bit too wide to get them into the slot for the twistlock fit.

I know I'm being a dumbass, but what am I doing wrong? I've checked loads of threads, and I just can't get this...
unless I'm meant to do that whole remove led and solder fit them into the original twistlocks from my dash? Or is it as simple as trimming a mill or so off the tabs?
So confused...do I need 286, 286T, 501, 509, 509T? Help!

Or, should I scrub it and go for some of these pricey but bright triple LED fittings:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u ... uage_tools

Also, I want to go for a blue LED in the heating control light. Any tips?

For the interior lights, which need reinstalling from my scapped T25, I'm thinking of upgrading to these:
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info ... ts_id=1291
Would they be the right fit? Or would I need these instead:
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info ... ts_id=1289

Sure I've had both sizes at one time or another in my old bus, so not sure which would be standard now.

I figure this will all look cool when I've cracked it, and fitted the white dials I picked up this week. Should make for a clear to read set-up, unlike the old yellow glow.

PS: I did check the Wiki first, but the German link didn't work.

Thanks,
Blue

[blue]

they said to spread the contacts until I get a snug fit, so come daylight, I'll try to work that out...meanwhile, any feedback on the other bits of the project?

[DiscoDave]

measure end to end of the lamps and see what corresponds with the ones you are looking at! you'll be able to get the interior lamp leds for halfwits or a quality motor factors, take the ones you have that fit and ask!

[CovKid]

I have the blue leds for interior lights. Look kinda cool in the dark but you can't see a damned thing with them - lol. I fitted under-dash neons which proved far more useful.

[Westy.Club.Joker]

I think the bulbs you have got are the wrong fitting. Do they have TWO metal contact "ears" on each side? It`s hard to make `em out in the foto. If they do they they are the wrong fitting, I was given some of this type of bulb for my dash and they don`t fit. The correct VW type ones have a single "ear" contact each side and lock in with a twist that uses a plastic "ramp" that is moulded into the bulb holder.

[blue]

Joker, and everyone else...thanks for the tips...

Joker...do you know what number these bulb holders are?

Re: Interior bulbs...didn't have any as the light fittings were missing too, and I know my other van had the wrong size in. Have since tracked down some light fittings and some super bright UV bulbs for the interior, which is mainly white in the back. Should work a treat. Have some regular white lights for when needed too, but to be honest, I don't really use electric light in the van, except when getting in, and generally we use candlelight after dark.

Have tracked down some 286T twistlock blue LEDs for the dash that should fit right. Ultraleds have them down as fitting a T25. So all is looking good.
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/product_info ... cts_id=852

Still getting around to finding the correct bulb fit for the heater controls...

[Bowton Lad]

.....but to be honest, I don't really use electric light in the van, except when getting in, and generally we use candlelight after dark.

Candlelight

Candles with all those curtains & bedding etc.? Sounds extremely dangerous to me. I've seen too many times what an accident with a lit candle can do to a house but the potential devastation in the confined space of a small camper van doesn't bear thinking about!

[blue]

No curtains...converted panel van...candles in broadbased lanterns stood on solid broad flat surface. New ones are going to be permanently fixed in. So safe as...don't drink, go to bed shortly after dark. Rather be up at dawn, surfing before the rush. If I wantesd to sit in electric light, I'd stay at home. But come to think of it, we use candles at home too!

As for the LEDs, rigged up the new blue leds in my old holders last night, soldered them up, banged them in this morning, and bingo! Going to mirror tape the housing with Aluminium tape later when I have a minute, and should be spot on. Have ordered some superbright LEDs from UltraLEDs.co.uk too, and will be fixing up the backlight for the heater controls another day this week. Project is moving on...

[blue]

fitting a cig lighter next week, when I fit the ICE. There aren't many to choose from, and I had to settle for the regular greenish glow surround type of cig lighter socket. I gather I can switch the bulb in this for a blue LED, but hell I don't know what or how, don't want to just tug the bulb out, as I can't see any tabs to solder up the LED to, and don't want to wreck the bulb and holder until I've worked out how to do it all. Anyone done this? Change the bulb and holder perhaps? Or maybe I'm missing something again, duh...