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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: abronco1 on September 25, 2005, 09:58:18 AM

Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: abronco1 on September 25, 2005, 09:58:18 AM
Does anyone know of a place (website, retailer, etc) that sells the replacement bulbs for the "High Beam", Turn Signal indicator lights?  They're 12 volt and 1.7 and 3.4 amps (very tiny I believe).  Any help is appreciated!  BTW, I got the sizes of the bulbs in the Clymer manual, thanks!!
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: 70 Cam Guy on September 25, 2005, 11:05:32 AM
If you're talking about the stock, turn signal light bulbs, those are model 1156 Sylvania's.  Get them at any local auto parts place except Napa because all they carry is their Napa brand rubbish.  

If you're talking about the miniature bulbs that come in flush mounts, I had to go to Cyclegear.  None of the auto places had bulbs with the correct wattages.  It is a 12V23W (12 volt 23 watt) single filiment bulb.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: Alphamazing on September 25, 2005, 12:46:03 PM
I think he's talking about the bulbs that illuminate the plastic covers on the guage clusters. The indicators that your high beams are on or you have a turn signal on.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: 70 Cam Guy on September 25, 2005, 01:15:28 PM
ohh, the dash lights or guage cluster lights

I don't know where to buy those.  I bet the stealer carries them  :P
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: davipu on September 25, 2005, 01:18:23 PM
they are just standard 194 bulbs, any parts store will carry them
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: abronco1 on September 25, 2005, 02:21:48 PM
Thanks for the suggestions!  Yes, I was referring to the bulbs that illuminate the plastic Blue and Green indicator covers stating that your high beams are on and if your turn signals are still on.  They'are standard 194 bulbs?  I'll make sure to check out a local hardware store to pick 'em up, thanks again!!
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: RVertigo on September 25, 2005, 02:31:12 PM
Quote from: davipuany parts store will carry them
YUP!  I have those exact same 194 bulbs in my Ford.

You can get LEDs for those, since the illumination is directional (unlike in the Spedo/Tack)...  Just look up 194 LED and you find a few dozen pages with them...  You can find 'em on ebay too.

Although...  There might be fit issues...   :dunno:   The bulbs are cheap, so it may not be worth the hassle.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: Alphamazing on September 25, 2005, 02:39:01 PM
If you want to change out the bulbs behind the tach and speedo, they are 194R bulbs, also available at any autoparts store.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: ginoe on September 25, 2005, 05:08:17 PM
what a timely thread!

at 3800mi my tach light is out (though it could have been sooner, i don't ride much at night).
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: Alphamazing on September 25, 2005, 05:11:12 PM
I know I'm going to change out my tach and speedo bulbs with blue ones, just to continue the whole blue theme I've got going on with my bike. It looks cleaner that way, too.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: RedShift on September 25, 2005, 06:38:01 PM
I just replaced the Speedometer backlight.  Had I known there was an LED replacement, I would have foregone the $2 dealer bulb.

Although brighter, they should last longer and draw less power.  Sure 3.4w is peanuts, but the LED would draw a mere 0.024w.

I'd like to see the little fellas personally before buying, but if the local AutoZone carries them, I may walk out with a bag of them, and perhaps a few 1156's/1157's for the signals and tail lights.  :thumb:
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: RVertigo on September 26, 2005, 12:00:45 AM
Quote from: RedShiftHad I known there was an LED replacement
The problem is that LEDs are directional...  The Speedo and Tach are set up to take light from the side of the bulb, not the top.

Someone has a thread or five about them...  I bet starwalt could tell you all about it.
Title: They are 3.3W but I'm actually using 5W ones.
Post by: marc on September 26, 2005, 01:41:00 AM
I replaced a couple of mines with a 5W ones.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: starwalt on September 26, 2005, 05:38:21 AM
Quote from: RVertigo... I bet starwalt could tell you all about it.
I thought I felt a disturbance in the force...

LED replacements are fine everywhere (when installed correctly) except the turn signal indicator. The turn signal indicator bulb uses the unused set of turn signal lamps for its negative connection to the battery/frame (earth, ground, return).

There, that should have cleared things up.  :?
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: RVertigo on September 26, 2005, 11:03:59 AM
IOW...  Don't use LED for Turn Signal indicator...  But, get a SUPER BRIGHT for your oil light!   :mrgreen:
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: Rema1000 on October 16, 2005, 07:51:23 PM
I last changed my indicator bulbs in 2004.  After 2 years, 3 out of 4 were burnt-out (hey, the oil light still worked, and that's the only one you really need ;) ).

I bought 4 single-LED 194's from MacEwenMotorsports ( http://www.macewenmotorsports.com/subrle.html ): $4 x 4 + $4 s/h = $20. I bought the single-LED bulbs, because it looked like the 4xLED bulbs were maybe a little bit wider than stock 194s at the bulb end:

(http://store1.yimg.com/I/macewenmotorsports_1856_6737972.gif) versus (http://store1.yimg.com/I/macewenmotorsports_1856_6752827.gif)

Their automated order system notified me:
QuoteThis email is to confirm the receipt of your recent order from Macewen Motorsports.

Please allow 3-4 business days for your order to be processed and shipped.
... but it took 7 business days before they shipped.  Oh well, at least they added 2 free bulbs to my order.

Verdict: definitely dimmer than a 194 bulb.   I'd recommend that somebody try the 6-LED nonpolarized 194's from http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR instead:
(http://www.superbrightleds.com/store/html/images/WLED-W5.jpg)
They may work in the turn signal indicator too:
Quotenon-polarized so they will also work in polarity reversing marker light applications.
And they're $3 each.
Title: Replacement "Indicator" bulbs
Post by: davipu on October 16, 2005, 11:05:16 PM
I've been running the single leds from superbright  and i still feel that they are too bright with the white faced gauges. with the stock bulbs and the white faces you can't ride at night, it's like having a flashlight pointed at you the whole time.