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led bulbs

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 5:24 pm
by two-stroke-brit
hi everone does anyone have a lead on a good place to get L.E.D. bulbs for a buffalo , as i cant seem to find them in the correct dia (12mm) for the gages. (just back from alan the gage master tucker)
cheers mark

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 8:21 pm
by tz375
I tried a bunch of different ones from SuperbrightLEDs.com but the results were disappointing.

The problem is that insuid eteh gauge,, the light has to be radially dispersed and bounced back from the inner case and LEDs are too directional even in wide angle varieties.

You may have better results, but i called that one a bust and went back to regular bulbs.

thanks

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 8:48 pm
by two-stroke-brit
thanks tezer. :(

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:01 am
by Suzsmokeyallan
Ive used LEDs in my Bandit gauges with great results and they are better /brighter than the stock bulbs. The main issue is to find the right LED bulb for the right application due to the differences in shine pattern and what you are expecting to achieve in illumination.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:18 pm
by tz375
Allan,
You were trying different LEDs in a GT750 as I recall. Did you find any that worked into that application?

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 5:37 pm
by two-stroke-brit
plus +1 to that

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:39 pm
by Suzsmokeyallan
The model of bulb i did find that works well in the GT gauges for illumination is this model from super bright LEDS, its the one at the bottom of this list of three shown
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... 9s_120.htm

This model, BA9S-W-WV in 12 volts warm white in 120 degree shine pattern is equivalent or better to the stock 3.4W bulbs in the large gauges.
However when i was researching this they sent me an order of these bulbs but some were different colours of white. Only when i drew it to their attention did they update the website for these models.
Somehow that data is not shown anymore on the page but you can ask them about it.
What ever you do make sure to get warm white, or white, cool white is too weak for good reflective shine in a gauge housing. It looks almost mauve in contrast to the warm white and white colours and it dissipates really fast with little reflective value.

For the Buffalo temp gauge this one works really well,,naturally you will buy white.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... 2Fba7s.htm

This is also another version id like to try for GT750 gauge illumination and see how it stacks up but i have not bought any yet.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... s-xhp9.htm

To add to this i was planning on building a bulb to test a theory, by this I mean combining a bulb with a wedge base to a socket base since its not made as a socket based model. This style of bulb i believe will get into the GT socket hole and be tall enough to reach closer up into the gauge.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... HP15-T.htm

The trouble here is that just because the performance data says one thing does not mean its the way it will work visually. Its more of a trial and error thing for finding the correct illumination for the area you are working on and looking at some of these prices it can be costly too.

lites

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:53 pm
by gyrocfi
Allan, thanks for the info!! I had problems geting regular lamps locally that are close wattage rating for my GT500 gauges.

Bye the way, good to see ya at the Gap!! I had a nice ride back home towing my dinged Franken400. I will be out of town the next two weeks so cant get the bugger back on the road till I get back. My scratches are healing up, maybe make the trip up in Fall for a longer stay, missed riding all the roads I had planed to hit.