Tail lights 10W or 5W? - Answer 10W

[itchyfeet]

I have 10W but they seem to overheat the moulding and it's warped a bit, are they supoosed to be 10W or 5W?

thanks

[SamsBus2012]

5. You could try the led replacements, brighter without the heat.

[CovKid]

Yup, 10 watt bulbs will cook the housing.

Heres whats in mine now:

[itchyfeet]

it seems 10W was what was fitted, dunno why I didn't think of looking it up on etka

http://www.realoem.me/Volkswagen/RDW/T2 ... 945/142000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CovKid]

You're quite right Itchy, they are 10w. Been so long since I used tungsten bulbs I'd simply forgotten the original rating. I think its the number plate lights that are 5w. Mind you, stock lenses with tungsten bulbs in are dreadful. A low mist and no one can see you at all. I used panels rather than LED bulbs as they're more uniform, but whether panels or led bulbs, they need to be red, not white as opposed to tungsten where a white light is fine behind a red lens. The wavelength is completely different.

By the way, above shot of my tail light has no reflector behind the lens - not needed with panels. You can't fit panels in Hella units either - only the ULO ones will accept them.

That said, 10w bulbs still melt the plastic dividers between each light unit. Theres nowhere for the heat to escape. A heat shunt/plate was added but for all the good it does.....

[itchyfeet]

10W does deform the plastic but they are 30 years old so I suppose it's not a big problem.
I'm hanging out for decent LED lamp replacements, sooner or later they will be made by the likes of Osram and Philips.

[California Dreamin]

VAG original scans



Martin

[SamsBus2012]

Tis what I thought

[itchyfeet]

So here lies the confusion, parts lists showing different to manuals.
So question is what was fitted origionally?

[dave friday]

I thought it a bit odd that the front " side" lights are 4 watt but the rears are 5watt.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Due to the differing opaqueness of the lenses?

[CovKid]

5 watt as tail lights is taking the pee Blimey, even the 10w ones are nothing to write home about.

[California Dreamin]

Ahhhhhhhh twasn't the question Ralph! although I absolutely agree lol..

Martin

[bigherb]

So here lies the confusion, parts lists showing different to manuals.
So question is what was fitted origionally?

10W. As stated in the handbook, on the bulb holder, and the parts diagrams.

[dave friday]

10watts on the holder 5watt bulb fitted!( on both "ulo" light units)
"Bentley " book says 5watts!