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Xbimmer
Posted on Sunday, December 06, 2015 - 12:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Anybody find a suitable solution for these backlight bulbs in an LED? My piece of junk Buell lost its 2nd bulb, junk bulbs only lasted 100K.

If not (I searched a bit first) I think I've found the answer but I don't want to replicate any other posts.

(Message edited by xbimmer on December 07, 2015)
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Anfear
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 01:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would like led instrument lights. Where can I get them?
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Hughlysses
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 05:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I don't think I've ever seen a post here about instrument lights. Are they the "grain of wheat" type incandescent bulbs similar to those used on Japanese motorcycles?

If so, I've seen a supplier for LED replacements for those.
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1313
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 06:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You know, that Google BadWeB link at the top of the page really works well...

One thread - probably the best my quick search netted

Some tidbits scattered throughout

A little bit more

The maestro speaks

I'm not saying these are all inclusive of what's been on BadWeB, but the topic has been discussed a few times...
1313
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Xbimmer
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ok so I'll post my stuff. I did find those other threads which got me looking into it more.

First I searched and found suitable (I think) replacement bulbs to use in the stock Neo Wedge holders, but when I removed mine they were heat damaged, 100K miles and 10 years. Couldn't find a source for the holders alone and didn't want to spend the money for stock replacements.

So I looked into the LEDs. Settled on these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20PCS-T3-Neo-Wedge-White-L ED-Dash-Switch-A-C-Climate-Heater-Control-Light-La mp-/301315439650?hash=item4627ccbc22:g:t60AAOSwd4t UF1R0

There are countless sellers out there of these types of things, I narrowed it down to sellers with dimensions in their ad, and the "2835 SMD" designation. Gambled on this seller's offering and scored IMO.

I'll post pics and a how-to but for now I'll say they work great, no pronounced hot-spotting since they're shorter than the stock bulbs, did take minimal work to get them to fit. Please note absurdly cheap price, they are solidly built but I hope they're durable.

I used them for back lights only, tried one in my green neutral light and the brightness/color turned it turquoise and stabbed me in the eye, so I may pick up some colored ones to fit the warning lights. More to come.
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1313
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 09:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

More to come.

THANK YOU for that!

I haven't been courageous enough (or had enough time) to attempt this on my XB12XT.

Hopefully your experiences will help me make the leap!
1313
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Dtaylor
Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2015 - 09:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A couple of years ago I switched to LED backlighting, using American Sport Bike parts (no longer available) and Al's advice as posted elsewhere. I was quite pleased with the results.

I found a few quirks in trying LEDs as warning lamps, and in the end only used an LED for the oil pressure light. If you use an LED as a warning lamp, make sure it is the same colour as the plastic lens.

I posted a picture indicating the polarity of each light socket trace, to save trouble for others:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/703930.html?1366753731


(Message edited by dtaylor on December 10, 2015)
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Uly_man
Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015 - 11:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have had some experience with this sort of thing but just my opinion.

The original lamps are a standard item you can buy any place for around 10 cents apiece. They are easy to fit and forget. One thing to remember is that if one has gone it is best to replace all of them since you already have the cluster apart.

LEDs vary greatly in color, even if stated as white, as does there light output. Also the quality varies greatly. I have had a number of these and found a 50% fail rate from Asian dealers.

Given all the issues to fit LEDs into a cluster I would/ do not bother and see no advantage to do so anyway. Your choice though.
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Xbimmer
Posted on Sunday, December 13, 2015 - 05:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Appreciate your input guys, I did try to find a suitable incandescent but two of my sockets were burnt anyway. So here's a quick pic demo, sorry for the poor focus...

Get all the screws out:




Back cover off and backlight bulbs out, 2X Y0163.02A8 (black 1.12w), 1X Y0162.02A8 (gray .7w):




Bulb and LED comparison:




Had to take a points file to the two tabs on each LED socket, VERY slight angular swipe or two so the socket would start into the board:




Make sure it's straight before pushing down:




Fully locked. At this point you want to plug into the harness to ensure you have the polarity correct, I suppose you could do that first before installing but I didn't. I had one reversed, just turned it 180 degrees:




These things are shallow which helps diminish the hot spots of the bullet-type LEDs I looked into, which get real close to the light distributing back plate:







I like the color, the distribution isn't bad with little hot spotting, who knows, maybe the stockers hot spot too but mine were going out for so long I don't recall:




And that's that. As pointed out by Dtaylor replacement into a warning light will require a similar color and still may be pretty bright. We'll see about longevity with the Buell's shaking, but I'm pleased so far.
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Uly_man
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice job Xbimmer. Well thought out and executed. Many thanks for the information.
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Anfear
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 11:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just ordered the dash LED's.
Anyone know where to get colored LED's for the warning lights? I'm thinking at least the oil and low fuel lights. Not worried about them being too bright. Thanks
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Xbimmer
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2015 - 09:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Uly_man.

Anfear the low fuel light isn't replaceable without surgery, it's part of the board. Don't have info on that, yet.

The vendor I bought the white LED's from is one of several that sell that specific type. You're looking for "T3 Neo Wedge 2835 SMD" units, searches with those terms will net you lots of sources. You want to be careful since some that I found have dimensions that may not work for our application.

Some that I found for my future reference, though not as good a deal:

Red:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-Red-T3-2835-SMD-Led-Ne o-Wedge-Dash-Switch-Lamp-A-C-Climate-Light-/301777 866389?hash=item46435cce95:g:shIAAOSwwbdWKwaF

Green:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-Green-T3-Neo-Wedge-283 5-SMD-LED-Bulbs-HVAC-Center-Stack-Climate-Switch-L igth-/371376862845?hash=item5677c9367d:g:F68AAOSwy QtVnJ1H&vxp=mtr

Yellow:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Amber-2835-T3-Neo-Wedg e-Car-LED-Cluster-Dash-Side-Indicator-Lights-Lamp- 8mm-/111843452502?hash=item1a0a63a656:g:etcAAOSwcB hWZLk9&vxp=mtr

Blue:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6x-T3-Blue-1-2835-SMD-LED- Neo-Wedge-Instrument-A-C-Climate-Heater-Lights-/37 1252968612?hash=item567066bca4:g:KVsAAOSwEeFVQeWQ& vxp=mtr

If the vendors' pics are accurate all those should work.
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