Author Topic: Replace Old Bulbs?  (Read 2173 times)

acbrock

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Santa Monica
  • Posts: 334
Replace Old Bulbs?
« on: September 12, 2023, 21:08:05 »
Hi, so I have taken the Instruments out of my car to clean and repair.   They are all looking awesome, just waiting on a repair to the speedo.  I was looking everything over and thought I would post this question to the forum.  So before tearing it all down all the light worked fine.  I can review them all now and make sure they are still ok.  But my question is should I replace them all even though they work?  I would have to bet 100% that this is the first time these instruments have been out of the car since it was built in 66.  I would hate to put it all back together and lose a bulb down the road?  or are these old bulbs better that anything I can get today?  I have read that some people have gone to LEDs since they should last a long time?

Any thoughts...
Aaron

1966 230SL Automatic 717G Papyrus White "Minny"

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4619
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2023, 22:22:25 »
Do you do enough night driving for it to matter?  Many people strictly avoid night driving for a variety of reasons.

My car hasn't run in a while, but when I drove at night I didn't mind the soft dim light of traditional bulbs.  I'll be replacing bulbs with stock bulbs when my instruments come out.

If you drive a lot at night, maybe the LEDs are for you.  That's a personal choice.

The light dimmer control works on a rheostat - an arm sweeps across a spring to vary the voltage (or something like that, I'm not an electrician).  Often corrosion builds up on that spring, so clean that if you can.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL auto "Italian"

lreppond

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, CA, San Leandro
  • Posts: 639
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2023, 22:41:14 »
While you have everything out and the bulbs are easily accessible, I’d change all of them. It’s what I did when I had the dash apart. I also carefully cleaned and polished all the glass and chrome on the dash and replaced all gaskets.  I did not, however, change to LED bulbs but many here have.  If you like brighter lighting, you might want to consider them. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

Cees Klumper

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Fallbrook
  • Posts: 5700
    • http://SL113.org
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2023, 03:26:26 »
I replaced all the dash lights on my Lancia Fulvia when I restored it with small NOS bulbs since access was excellent then. Cost maybe $6 for the lot of 14 or so bulbs. I prefer not to convert to LED on classic cars.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

acbrock

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Santa Monica
  • Posts: 334
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2023, 22:02:33 »
Cool thanks everyone!  I will replace them and NOT do LEDs.
Aaron
1966 230SL Automatic 717G Papyrus White "Minny"

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4619
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2023, 23:15:50 »
Don't forget to clean your dimmer.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL auto "Italian"

Benz Dr.

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7219
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Replace Old Bulbs?
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2023, 23:21:20 »
The alternator or charging light should only be replaced with a standard incandescent light bulb - I'm told LED won't work. Has something to do with resistance in the system, I guess.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC