Cluster bulbs

[Varty Yo]

Wil reg 12v cluster bulbs work in a bj42? I want to upgrade mine to some nice bright ones but cannot seem to find any? Or maybe im tottaly missing seing them haha.

 

[Michael B]

Only if your rig is 12v.

 

[JohnnyC]

The original mod to the cluster was to remove the tin light shields from the inside of the cluster housing for more light...

As much as this is probably frowned upon these days ... it was a great mod at the time 20+ years ago

 

[Varty Yo]

Nope 24v rig. Who sells bulbs that are 24v?

 

[Michael B]

Maybe @joekatana can answer that question?

 

[Varty Yo]

Hope so i didnt get much help over in the diesel section

 

[sadam_husain]

The original mod to the cluster was to remove the tin light shields from the inside of the cluster housing for more light...

As much as this is probably frowned upon these days ... it was a great mod at the time 20+ years ago

I tried some LED bulbs and it looked awful so I then tried removing the light shields and went back to the standard bulbs best thing I ever did

 

[joekatana]

The original mod to the cluster was to remove the tin light shields from the inside of the cluster housing for more light...

As much as this is probably frowned upon these days ... it was a great mod at the time 20+ years ago

And probably still the only available option,24V is a dying breed for oldskool bulbs,anytime I need to replace one I have to go tru my used parts stash.

30 year old cars have there own way of doing things,you better get used to it

Joe

 

[Varty Yo]

Ok where can i get reg bulbs???

 

[JohnnyC]

@beno is you bulbaberry

 

[ginmtb]

You could do EL lighting - a quick search showed they have 24V inverters. The lighting is so even and modern looking.

 

[Varty Yo]

Want!!!!! I hate electrical

 

[ginmtb]

It is certainly more involved than just replacing bulbs but a great upgrade. One caveat- the EL lighting produces a high frequency pitch that can be heard by some (including me). The dimmer works though and you can dial down the brightness which also dials down the volume of the high frequency pitch so it is inaudible to me.

 

[Varty Yo]

Any links to a build?

 

[ginmtb]

I didn't document the full build but here are assorted shots that should help:

Doubled sided tape - this is mine:

@amaurer EL lighting routing:

@dasgeek final connection to existing cluster - wire wedged into light bulb socket (note I soldered mine in to get it to work - and polarity matters for the EL light so if it doesn't work wired one way swap the wires):

 

[micruz60]

The original mod to the cluster was to remove the tin light shields from the inside of the cluster housing for more light...

As much as this is probably frowned upon these days ... it was a great mod at the time 20+ years ago

Why is this frowned upon?

I did that a few years ago, better than nothing...

 

[ginmtb]

Looks like 24V inverter will need to be bought in the UK...

Something like this:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Large-Water-R...s-EL-Wire-or-EL-Tape-/162234216948?nav=SEARCH

 

[Varty Yo]

Wow thats pretty sweet and simple

 

[Varty Yo]

Looks like 24V inverter will need to be bought in the UK...

Yikes

 

[JohnnyC]

Why is this frowned upon?

I did that a few years ago, better than nothing...

It can't be reversed ... no longer as came from factory thing