replace blue main bean tell tale light

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CovKid
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Re: replace blue main bean tell tale light

Post by CovKid »

Sure will Tim (but note below). The resistors supplied are set to give maximum brightness which may or may not suit the application. Blue usually needs a slightly higher resistor to save blinding you when you switch to high beam but otherwise you could dip the LED or spray a coat of black on it to reduce the glare if its too much. It will still shine through even with paint on it.

You could also stick say a yellow LED in an unused hole in dash and wire this to sidelight circuit - thereby giving you a 'lights left on' warning light.

Don't forget, LEDs are diodes and therefore only work one way round. They won't blow, they just won't light if incorrectly orientated. If it doesn't light, worth turning it round to see if thats the cause. Also, all the other dash LEDs have resistors on membrane at the back to drop the voltage down to 2-3 volts. The exception is the high beam which gets 12v so swapping to an LED with a resitor should be straightforward. Those will work ok. Not sure if resistor may get in way of socket though - may need unsoldering and then putting back once LED is correctly seated or possibly added to back of membrane if you have to.

The best way to get LEDS cheap locally is £1 shop christmas lights. Must be 20 on a string - 5p each? You should find this useful.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Choosin ... With-LEDs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - this is even more useful as LEDS normally have their specs listed with the so you just input those and it tells you the resistor needed: http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can see why people buy original parts or ones that slot straight in but more satisfying to have done it yourself as well as save money, and theres always room for improvement in my view, without compromising originality. Besides which, when you can buy 100 for under £2.01 and free postage, why would you? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... s&_sacat=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

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Re: replace blue main bean tell tale light

Post by greasemonkey »

CovKid wrote:. The exception is the high beam which gets 12v so swapping to an LED with a resitor should be straightforward. Those will work ok. Not sure if resistor may get in way of socket though

It fits ok, have done it on mine. You just have to solder the resistor as close to the LED as possible and play around a little get the angle right, but it does go in with a little patience.

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organicmatter
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Post by organicmatter »

Del
Last edited by organicmatter on 11 Mar 2016, 14:47, edited 2 times in total.
1992 Holdsworth Villa 3, 1.9 Petrol

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organicmatter
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Re: replace blue main beam tell tale light

Post by organicmatter »

Update

Left for a while as wasn't driving in the dark and mot not due till August.

In the end I did buy these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191558008304? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Simple enough job to remove cluster (I found removing the switches the hardest part).
Cut the wire to length and they went in fine (with a little bending), light not to bright but is brighter than existing ones.
Image
Thanks for all the advice

Tim
1992 Holdsworth Villa 3, 1.9 Petrol

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CovKid
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Re: replace blue main bean tell tale light

Post by CovKid »

Yep. You don't have to mount it where it was originally either (if that makes it easier). The MOT only requires that you have an indicator to show you're on full so you could drill a hole anywhere convenient that can be seen easily and just tap into the full beam circuit. Blue can be troublesome as it can be over-bright but you can always diffuse it slightly by sanding the LED or giving it a quick light blast of spray paint.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

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organicmatter
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Re: replace blue main bean tell tale light

Post by organicmatter »

Think I'm happy with the brightness going to take it out tonight to check.
1992 Holdsworth Villa 3, 1.9 Petrol

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organicmatter
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Re: replace blue main bean tell tale light

Post by organicmatter »

organicmatter wrote:Think I'm happy with the brightness going to take it out tonight to check.

Was okay but gave a squirt of back to dull down a bit.

Thinking about it could have used a 3mm one and glued in the old bulb cover
1992 Holdsworth Villa 3, 1.9 Petrol

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