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

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 18:29
by 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

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 19:48
by SamsBus2012
5. You could try the led replacements, brighter without the heat.

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 21:06
by CovKid
Yup, 10 watt bulbs will cook the housing.

Heres whats in mine now:

Image

Image

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 21:11
by itchyfeet
it seems 10W was what was fitted, dunno why I didn't think of looking it up on etka :roll:

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

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 21:26
by 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.....

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 09 Mar 2017, 21:36
by 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.

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 16 Mar 2017, 22:30
by California Dreamin
VAG original scans

Image

Martin

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 00:20
by SamsBus2012
Tis what I thought

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 08:18
by itchyfeet
So here lies the confusion, parts lists showing different to manuals.
So question is what was fitted origionally?

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 12:19
by dave friday
I thought it a bit odd that the front " side" lights are 4 watt but the rears are 5watt.

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 13:27
by Oldiebut goodie
Due to the differing opaqueness of the lenses?

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 13:48
by CovKid
5 watt as tail lights is taking the pee :D Blimey, even the 10w ones are nothing to write home about. :D

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 17 Mar 2017, 22:02
by California Dreamin
Ahhhhhhhh twasn't the question Ralph! although I absolutely agree lol..

Martin

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 08:55
by bigherb
itchyfeet wrote: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.

Re: Tail lights 10W or 5W?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 11:47
by dave friday
10watts on the holder 5watt bulb fitted!( on both "ulo" light units)
"Bentley " book says 5watts!