GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: starshooter10 on September 02, 2008, 09:58:24 AM

Title: gauge lights
Post by: starshooter10 on September 02, 2008, 09:58:24 AM
when i got my bike the tach light was out...


as of last eek my speedo light is out...

and i kind of need that when i drive at night...

what bulb type is it?

and where can i order cool blue LED replacments  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: Jackstand Johnny on September 02, 2008, 10:13:14 AM
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

This site was reffered to me by a member here. They work great and were delivered fast. I use red ones in mine. Its gonna be under the car section. Search for the thread I started for more detail in this. I forgot exactly which ones I'm using. They drop right in with no modification. I hope that helps.
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: MajorMalphunction on February 21, 2010, 03:45:00 AM
Does anyone know the listing of types of bulbs to order?
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: gsJack on February 21, 2010, 06:39:25 AM
I use the regular #194 bulbs available at all Walmart and auto parts stores for all the speedo, tach, and indicator lights.

The oem were#158 for all but the high beam indicater which I think was a #37.  The 194 (3.8W) is about the same brightness as the 158 (3.4W) but a little brighter than the oem 37? (1.7W).  The wattage figures are from a 97 GS OM, not sure if all year GS-F are the same but I used the same 194 on my 02.
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: kyle_99_gtp on February 21, 2010, 04:51:50 PM
I just ordered a 10 pack of 5 SMD LED lights, which are much brighter and spread the light over a greater area than a LED with only 1 diode on it. I'm going to put one in my speedo and tach on the GS, and the rest are going to the interior of my car, but they should be great since they're essentially 5 LED's in one, and the light will spread out to light up the entire gauge.

They were around $15 shipped off of ebay, whereas LED's from autolumination/superbrightleds cost $10-15 for a 2 pack.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260527958030

That's actually the listing I got them from, but that store has great deals on all kinds of LED lighting alternatives.
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: jeremy_nash on February 21, 2010, 04:58:06 PM
I used a color changing led in mine, they came from auto zone, and were only like 9 bucks  194 bulb style is what I used
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: Gary856 on February 21, 2010, 08:56:03 PM
I also ordered from superbrightleds.com

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fmini-wedge.html

For the speedo and tach, I used WLED-x5, natural white. Nice and even light pattern. Perfect.

For the idiot lights (oil/neutral/turn/high beam), I used WLED-x (single LED), but they're kind of dim in direct sunlight. I ordered higher powered WLED-xHP (SMD LED) but haven't put them in yet.

(http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae188/deg856/LEDs.png)
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: galahs on February 22, 2010, 08:47:24 AM
My 05 needed smaller LED's in the idiot lights than the gauges (194).

I ended up leaving the indicator globe as I couldn't find a small non-polarity LED
and wish my high beam idiot LED light was less bright as it nearly blinds you at night  :laugh:
Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: Gary856 on February 22, 2010, 12:59:57 PM
Quote from: galahs on February 22, 2010, 08:47:24 AM
wish my high beam idiot LED light was less bright as it nearly blinds you at night  :laugh:

I have the same problem with the blue high beam indicator light being too bright (pretty distracting) at night on another bike, and I'm always thinking of putting a piece of masking tape over it to reduce its brightness at night.

With WLED-x (single low power LED) on my GS500, the idiot lights are dim during the day but just right for the high beam indicator at night, so while I plan to switch the oil/neutral/direction idiot lights to high powered WLED-xHP for better day-time visibility, I'd leave the the low powered WLED-x for the high beam indicator light for night-time.

Title: Re: gauge lights
Post by: galahs on February 22, 2010, 06:10:08 PM
Heaps more info on gauge LED's in this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23589.0


Quote
he difference in indicator bulbs (idiot lights) over the years is the earlier bikes use a 194 led, the newer GS's 2004+ use a smaller T5 led.

So on 2004+ bikes

2 x 194 led (Speedo and Tacho gauges. Get your preferred colour)
1 x T5 led Red (oil)
1 x T5 led Blue (high beam)
1 x T5 led green (turn signal. get NON polarised if you can otherwise it will only flash for one direction)
1 x T5 led green (neutral)