Instrument Bulb Replacement Hunt

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Skifreak, Feb 10, 2013.

  1. Skifreak

    Skifreak New Member

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    So while I had the fairing off to change the oil, I thought I would change the burnt out instrument bulb on my dash. Seemed easy enough, until I tried to find a direct replacement bulb for the Stanley T10 12v 1.7w bulbs for the speedo and tach, and the 12.v 3.4w bulbs for the turn signal indicators.

    Is there a direct replacement, like is the 194 a direct replacement for the 1.7w? And what about a direct replacement for the 3.4w? Bulb numbers please? I would like to be able to just run down to the auto parts store and pick one up.
     
  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Interesting question. I'm interested to hear if someone chimes in with a good answer.
     
  3. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I would think that the larger autoparts stores would have direct replacements.
     
  4. Bryan88

    Bryan88 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    So they are different!:eek: I just went to the local spares shop and bought ones that looked the same. Though it makes sense, maybe brighter indicator ones would remind me to turn the %$@*ing things off.
     
  5. Skifreak

    Skifreak New Member

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    went to Autozone, O'Reilly's, and local Parts Plus store. None had a stock replacement. I could buy a 194 or 168 which are same size but more watts. I don't want to do that because with increased watts comes increased heat, and I have warped/melted a speedo and tach in and attempt to get bett viz. Might just go to Superbrightleds.com and replace them all with bright, cool LEDs. Anyone do this mod?
     
  6. zoom-zoom

    zoom-zoom Member

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    I put LED's in my last bike, to replace all the bulbs and they worked awesome, though they were really expensive (at least 8-9 years ago they were). Wish I had taken some pictures, but back then I still had a camera that took FILM.
     
  7. seantx

    seantx New Member

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    Pretty sure these would work.

    Super Bright LEDs

    Figure 4 LED base for turn signals and 1 for illumination.

    Amazon also stocks LEDs as well as standard IC bulbs - 194s with t10 base.

    If you're going to pull he cluster to replace bulbs, do the LED thing and never worry about it again. I did this on my other bike and it looks fantastic. Saves watts too.
     
  8. rocketscientist

    rocketscientist New Member

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    ebay, generic chinese ones, I'm just using generic leds in the dash haven't blown a bulb since.
     
  9. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    no - the watts are more on the typical auto parts stuff and I agree with you regarding generating more heat in that instrument housing. See if you can be-friend someone that works in the back of your local dealer, I installed the higher watt ones and took them out the same day as I wanted the more muted light of the stock replacements and less heat...its a bit of a pain in dah arse as you have to remove - mirrors, wind-screen to get access to those bulbs...If you do the LED thing, post pictures and shit...
     
  10. splitfin

    splitfin New Member

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    Did a complete bulb redo on my 98. Went with blue led, great visibility at night and no worries about heat. Payed about $10 for a dozen.
     
  11. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Do you have the part number or link?
     
  12. Skifreak

    Skifreak New Member

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    Ok, so I did a ton of reading to find out that a 194 bulb would put out 2.98w at 12v and a 192 bulb would put put 3.79v at 12w, pretty comparable to the stock 12v 3.4w.

    A 161 bulb puts out 2.1w at 12v, which is as close as I could find to the 12v 1.7w stocker.

    Then I wimped out and went to my brother who works for the local Honda shop and got stock replacements. However, now after seeing splitfin's dash in his avatar, I might just go the LED route. Cheap, and looks sweet. I wanted to keep the stock look of green and was not sure what green LEDs would do to the gauge needles, but that avatar may have just changed my mind. Splitfin, do you have any other, bigger or better pics?

    HID install may be next...
     
  13. splitfin

    splitfin New Member

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    search ebay 194 168 t10 smd 5 led wedge light. come in a variety of colours. my son bought the blue ones for his susuki 500 and only needed two so we put either 6 or 7 in the vfr9 cant remember which). has no effect during daylight rides, but a definate 100% improvement at night
     
  14. splitfin

    splitfin New Member

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    i will try to get some better photos up in the next day or two. i cant beleive the difference they make. have run them all season and not once did i regret the change
     
  15. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Splifin......I like the blue :thumb:
     
  16. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Right on, that blue is awesome!
     
  17. Skifreak

    Skifreak New Member

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    Did you put a led behind the LCD screen? It looks blue also. does it get backlit by the led?
     
  18. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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  19. splitfin

    splitfin New Member

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    the entire display is backlight from 6 or 7 t 10 bulbs. the use of these bulbs has no adverse effect on display
     
  20. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I purchased a bunch of White LED 194 bulbs for the dash of my VFR.

    It turned the dash glow from Greenish to blueish.

    Word of caution: Do NOT put a bright bulb in the spot for the Highbeam dashboard light. Mine is much too bright now and it kills my night vision when I need it the most: (when I'm using my highbeams)
     
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