Replace dash lights

[Tonyvdb]

So thanks to Pete I have a voyager radio with bluetooth so when I go in there to strip the fairings down and replace the existing radio I also want to change out all the dash lightbulbs with LED.
Does anybody know how many and what type of bulbs I need so I can order them now and have on hand when I do the job?

Thanks
Tony

[Avidrider62]

If they are a wedge type bulb, http://www.superbrightled.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; site has something close. I replaced my Honda VT1100 ones with LED and used cool white color. Don't go brighter, any other color is way to bright. I think # 24, 1 SMD type, bulb number is the other one that closely resembles 194

[triton28]

Tony;
when I replaced my dash lights with LEDs I used the single LED, T-10 style bulbs with the clear plastic dome on the tip, but I'm sure any forward illuminating LED would work. The head size can't be any bigger than the base.
The 4, dash face illuminating bulbs, the battery light and reserve lighting light, I used clear; the turn signals I used amber, high beam I used blue.
I had a problem with the LED for the OD light in that it would not light up when I was in 5th gear. I tried another bulb but got the same result so I left that bulb as an incandescent filament.
It worked with the old style incandescent bulb but not with the LEDs for some reason. It may have been 2 consecutive bad led bulbs, or perhaps the amperage of this circuit is too high and overloaded the LED bulb circuitry, I'm not sure.
In so far as light intensity, I found a slight improvement over the incandescent T-10s, but the real advantage is the bulb life, and the slight decreased amp draw is a bonus.
Dave

[Tonyvdb]

So is this the bulb here that will fit?
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -base/197/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[triton28]

Tony;
yes that should fit as it appears to be no larger than the ones I used, which can be viewed by searching eBay item # 171259019533.
Dave

[Tonyvdb]

Thanks, I wonder if this one would fit for just the instrument gauge cluster?



Its a fair bit brighter than the other.

[triton28]

I used the ones in the eBay item number for all the T-10 type applications; side rear marker lights, front marker lights, fork brace lights, but I didn't use them for any of the cruise bulbs having had that problem with the OD indicator not lighting up. They would probably work in the cruise console on the false tank but I didn't try that application.
Dave

[Wahrsuul]

Something to watch out for: I did an LED swap in my Concours dash, and it worked great, however, I got all the same size/brightness LEDs for the indicator lights (in appropriate colors). At night, the hi-beam indicator was annoyingly bright. When I do the XII, I'll definitely be looking for the dimmest LED I can for that one.

[Tonyvdb]

Ya, that was a thought of mine as well. I did my dash bulbs in my van last year with LEDs and they look great but that High beam and cruse indicator lights are way to bright.

[Wahrsuul]

I'm in the process of ordering mine now, paying close attention to the lumens. Bright where I need it.

Does anyone know the sizes of the bulbs? Most of them are the same, and I think they're 194s, but the fuel light is a different size.

[Wahrsuul]

Well, the order arrived last night. Just to warn others: I rodered these for the gauge backlights: https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -base/199/ and disappointingly, they don't fit into the holes. I know I should have checked the sizes, but they were listed under the Instrument Cluster & Gauge LED Lights heading, so I figured they'd work.

So, I'll be emailing SBL this morning to see if I can send these back and get something else. All the others I ordered fit fine.

These are what I used in my Concours https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -base/206/ but I went with blue ones on that bike. I was concerned that the white might be too bright. But they'll fit, so I guess that's what I'll use this time.

[Tonyvdb]

So just a quick update.
I installed the LED bulbs in my dash and what a difference that made!
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -base/206/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These are the correct fit and work like a dream. The light level is at least twice what it was before and I feel it is not too bright for night time driving.

[kjsett]

So just a quick update.
I installed the LED bulbs in my dash and what a difference that made!
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -base/206/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These are the correct fit and work like a dream. The light level is at least twice what it was before and I feel it is not too bright for night time driving.

I hate to ask such a simple question, on the OD, did you try reversing polarity. Sorry, but I used to do phone troubleshooting for UPS and have had the "oh, i never looked to see if it was plugged in". A wedge incandescent wouldn't care, but an LED does. Hope i didn't offend.
As I haven't been in there yet, but might like to have them on hand, how many of those bulbs did you get? Did you go with white or another color (you show amber)? Same for the blue headlight, or different one?
Mine (original) are kinda of dim, but still usable. I plan on switching over the running lights eventually, but with so many repairs this year (driveline, oil pan, now coolant tube), optional ones have to wait (also had to replace sprockets & chain for the wife's vulcan and get the tools to start adjusting her mechanical lifters).
Gearing up for a major travel summer (as I am sure others are). Phoenix to Colorado, to Portland Oregon, to the Bay area, and back again. Maybe other shorter trips. Would like to do a foray into Mexico just to get my feet wet. I would consider a major trip in December south, but currently looks like Disneyland for Christmas with the Grandkids (1st time for them).
Thanks for listening,
ken

[Tonyvdb]

Yes, your correct the LED bulbs have to go in the correct way or they wont light. Taking the dash out to replace the bulbs does take a fair bit of work as you must remove all the fairings, the spedo cable and then remove the entire dash/radio assembly.
There are 4 bulbs that are area lighting (thats the ones I used the above LEDS for) and then the individual bulbs for the turn, headlamp, neutral, cruse and so forth for a total of 11 plus there is a smaller bulb for the low gas indicator that I did not bother changing.
The picture is actually the white output the LEDs use a yellow filter to create the white color. I used a lower lumen output bulb for the signal light, neutral and highbeem indicators as they would have been to bright using that particular bulb.

[triton28]

Ken;
if this question was intended for me, yes I did try reversing the polarity of the LEDs that I was using for the OD light, but still could not get the OD to illuminate. So I stayed with the incandescent 194 bulb for the OD light. Worked fine then.
Dave

[kjsett]

Ken;
if this question was intended for me, yes I did try reversing the polarity of the LEDs that I was using for the OD light, but still could not get the OD to illuminate. So I stayed with the incandescent 194 bulb for the OD light. Worked fine then.
Dave

Thanks for the response (always start with the most obvious and simple when troubleshooting).
The 194's are a standard and last a long time for what, at least 40 years (had them in my 1963 Buick) so I guess that works to leave it in.
Just speculating, as i haven't gotten into the schematics yet, but the circuit could be using current flow through the bulb to sense and keep open a transistor (switch type). Putting the right size resistor in parallel might work also. Whenever I get a reason to get in there, I will check that out. By that, I would get a potentiometer (adjustable resister) and start at max and gradually adjust it down till the light lights. Then measure it and install the right size resistor to the lamp base.
Just thinkin,
Ken

[krasmu]

Has anyone tried to change the color of the illumination lights? I was wondering if they come out nice and brilliant or washed out. I'm toying with the idea of purchasing blue LEDs for the 4 illumination bulbs instead of White.

[SgtSlag]

Red is best, for preserving your night-vision sensitivity. Wish all dash lights came in red. Cheers!

[krasmu]

Got my dash project completed. I tried several different light combinations before finding what I really love.The original dash was lack luster and dim. I couldn't read my trip odometer and the indicator needles were dull.


this is the dash with OEM incondesant bulbs.

I really wanted to give the bike a custom look so I chose to use red. They worked great but I didn't like the mono tone of the entire dash. I did love how it made the indicator needles pop and stand out.
I used these.
https://www.amazon.com/YITAMOTOR-Wedge- ... 4+led+bulb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



I decided that I loved the multi color of of the orginal dash but wanted the pop of the bright LED. So I picked up some of these in "cool white" at my local auto parts store for the 4 illumination bulbs only and absolutley love the brightness and notice the Kawasaki Green that these turned my dash.
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-2825-Pr ... o+led+bulb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


This is my final dash. It's plenty bright and I love the bright green with the other colors preserved. I did use the red LEDs for my warning lights and some of the same in amber for the turn signals. I was only worried about changing out those bulbs that burn either constantly or more often. I left the fuel, OD, High beam, and headlight out lights alone. This photo comes out a bit brighter than it is in person. I didn't get my f-stop quite right on that shot. It really is a perfect brightness.

[SgtSlag]

I like the red as it preserves night vision. I've been thinking of converting to red LED's for a while now. I may pull the trigger after seeing your example. Cheers!