LED replacement idiot lights...

[al_roethlisberger]

So, has anyone replaced any of the dash "idiot lights" with an LED? Is there an "easy" way??

 

I ask because, although my fuel warning light was already a bit dim before... for some reason with the new 2003 tank and it's sender, it's even more dim at its full brightness.

 

So, I was thinking about replacing the incandescent bulb with an LED. The warning transition would be more binary with an LED, versus "dim" to "bright" as stock, but I think I might like that better anyway

 

 

So... anyone?

 

[jrt]

Sure you could, but you'll need to do some wiring to make it work. Supply voltage is what- 12V? An LED operates on 2V (a red one), so if you hook it up directly, it'll short out.

So, you need to drop the voltage. The equation is

R= (Vs-Vl)/I

Vs = supply voltage (12V)

Vl= led voltage (or voltage drop)- 2V or thereabout- it's given on the box

I = current draw in Amps (not milliamps)

So solve for R (500 ohms or a little higher) and wire that in series with the led. LEDs are also one-way devices like diodes- they only work in one direction. In fact, it's not a bad idea to wire a diode in the opposite direction just to protect the led.

[al_roethlisberger]

Thanks Jason

 

 

...but here's a perhaps naive question: I wonder if anyone makes an LED replacement bulb that could just be fitted into the socket in the dash? I haven't looked at the idiot lights yet, but if they are just essentially automotive bulbs, then I wonder That would be the easiest of course.

 

 

The other question I wonder about is why with the 2003 sender, my light is so dim. I need to do some more testing to see if this condition is consistent. But if so, I wonder if the resistance of the idiot light circuit is different on 2002 and earlier bikes, than with the new sender?

 

al

[Kiwi Dave]

I posted a query regarding this issue on the forum about 18 months ago, and then reinforced it Feb 02 this year. (see Low-fuel Indicator, Dull Low-fuel indicator c/w other lites, 28 Jan 2003).

 

I tried replacing the sender unit four times now, the last time was due to fuel leakage, the first three in an attempt to cure this problem. I agree shorting the wires will give a bright indicator. My 2003 EV Touring also suffers this same problem, but I haven't tried to do anything about it.

 

Suspect that MG have changed the design from a simple reed switch as Carl describes in the 1100i California models to something more sinister like a solid state unit. As all my replacements were warranty related, I did not have access to cut one up and confirm this.

 

If you come up with a practical cure, I'd be interested. The LED idea is a good one, as it will not require the same amount of current which is obviously being limited by the sender. I think you will have to fabricate your own LED and resistor in a lamp base. Varying the value of the resistor will vary the resistance as long as you stay within the current limits of the LED.

[al_roethlisberger]

...hrmm, something like this. I wonder if these guys, or a similar vendor might have a light that's a drop-in replacement

 

http://www.ledcorp.com/catalog.html

 

http://www.theledlight.com/ledbulbs.html

 

 

WRT the sender, keep in mind that the 2002 and earlier senders are different than those on the newer in-tank system. Now, electrically they may work the same , but it may be possible that they have different resistance/outputs and is why my low fuel bulb which was always plenty bright with the old setup, is now dim with the 2003 tank I retrofitted.

 

I have to do some more testing though....

 

al

[al_roethlisberger]

...well, the incandescent light in the "idiot lights" assembly is teen-iny... I mean TINY. It's an all glass bayonet type, and I doubt anyone makes a direct LED replacement.

 

There are however, several LED lights out there if you wanted to retrofit the wiring... although the OEM white plastic holder is keeee-rap, so be careful. Mine is falling apart, so I'm going to glue it up before reassembly.

 

al

[al_roethlisberger]

...now, one might be able to adapt something like this I'm thinking.

 

http://www.customdynamics.com/licenseplate...%20Tag%20Screws

 

 

They are slightly oversized, but if one could get them ground down, or out of their bolt housing, these would be ideal to retrofit. I'll have to zip down to my local "Kragen" auto parts store, and their goofy hot-rod aisle to see if these are hidden somewhere amongst the fuzzy dice

 

al

[jrt]

I just did a quick search on Mouser, and there seems to be a lot of integrated resistor-LED's in a variety of sizes. (I searched LED, then limited by 12V). Looks like the one's you would be interested in come in a variety of sizes and styles, so just match that with the lead spacing on the LED and you're golden.

Try this:

 

http://www.mouser.com/?Ntt=*12V*&handler=d...se&N=435&Ne=400

 

LED's (incandescent replacements). Not terribly cheap at abou $3 a piece- and don't forget shipping.

 

One note- LEDs are awfully bright. Consider the reflection off your windscreen and ask yourself whether you can stand it or not.

 

Cheers,

Jason

[al_roethlisberger]

.....eewwwwww I like this place

 

If they have a drop-in replacement that will fit, one could easily replace the whole set of idiot lights with no surgery. I like

 

I'll have to do some measuring later to see which might fit. But from a casual glance, I don't know if they have one that's small enough.

 

And, yep on the bright issue... but then again, the only light I'm planning on testing right off is the fuel light, and I want that bright If they are too bright, I'll only use them for lights that are critical to notice, and are infrequently on, like fuel, oil, battery...

 

I guess I'll just have to test and see.

 

Thanks for the link Jason, that's very very helpful!

 

al

[jrt]

Glad I could help. They do look like they would be a drop-in replacement. The micro LEDs are pretty small so they should fit the mini-bulb sockets. You might even find something local so you don't have to pay shipping. Not Radio Shack though. Those durn electonics houses have gotten a lot of my money in the last couple of years, but I got a kick-ass stereo out of it.

Other good places for electronics parts:

http://www.alliedelectronics.com/

http://www.digikey.com

There are, of course, many other places so you may want to search and save 8-10 cents.

Cheers,

Jason

[al_roethlisberger]

Well, it looks like the closest LED incandescent replacement I could find was:

 

http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?&handler=d...12&N=0&crc=true

 

 

Unfortunately these are a 10mm base, which is pretty standard for instrument lights, but our bikes use the tiny "Euro" ~5mm base light, which is about the same height, but(obviously) about half as wide.

 

I suppose it's possible that one is made, but I didn't see one in this catalog

 

 

I could make one of the other lights work, but that would require a new socket, and I really didn't want to cut into the wiring for this relatively minor thing.... after all, the standard lights DO work.

 

 

But ...well, as you may recall, this thread started with the 'discovery' that the low fuel idiot light seemed too dim in combination with the 2003 tank(and requisite sender) that I retrofitted. Well, stupid me, I tested this initially with just battery power, and the engine not running. Heh, start the engine(and run the RPM up a bit) and guess what?? ...yep, bright as can be I thought this might be the case when I first started this thread, but didn't get to test it until tonight.

 

 

uhhhh so, nevermind

 

 

 

But I still think it might be a nice idea to replace the incandescents with LEDs if possible.

 

These look interesting:

 

http://www.acscontrol.com/pages/products/L...Wedge_Lamps.htm

 

http://www.led.net/datasheets/Pages/miniat...roducts/12a.htm

 

BTW, the exercise wasn't a complete waste of time as I at least got the opportunity to epoxy up the cracked plastic lamp holder

 

Below is the bulb, the OSRAM-2721 with the miniature base....

 

Category: Miniature (5mm base)

Volts: 13.5

Amp/watt: .09A / 1.22W

Base: W2.1d

Glass: T-1-1/2

Filament: C-2V

Lumens: MSCP:.57 (candle power)

Notes: Indicator and Panel

 

 

al

[al_roethlisberger]

Another image, with dimensions:

[jrt]

http://rocky.digikey.com/scripts/ProductIn...8&M=2191QL1-12V

 

datasheets on one 5mm lead spaced 12V red LED. There were others, but this was the first in line. Actually- you may not want this one, since it has a plastic housing and speednut tail.

If you do a search on digikey for "12V LED"

then choose 'optoelectronics--> leds, pcb and panel mount (148 items)

it will take you to a menu to reduce the number of choices- choose 5mm spacing, 12V, color, etc.

I would give you a direct address, but they do all the databasing on their webserver with microsoft I think.

I think you would want the vertical PCB mount style.

cheers,

Jason

[al_roethlisberger]

OK, well I ordered a few of the LEDs from the two vendors I linked to above, and will report if:

 

1) They even work

 

2) They work well in said application, especially for the low fuel light

 

al

[dlaing]

cool! they even have blinking ones!

That would be perfect for getting your attention...and driving you crazy when on your last pint-o-gas