Author Topic: LED lights for heater/air control  (Read 4577 times)

batman

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LED lights for heater/air control
« on: July 24, 2015, 12:25:06 »
I know there is a heap of info on installing LED bulbs to replace incandescent in the various dashboard instruments.

However, what about replacing to two tiny 2W incandescent globes in the heater/air flow lever controls with either 4W or LED??

I cant seem to find any specific view as to whether this specific globe replacement is possible to give more light (and longer life).

Can any one help ??


mmizesko

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Re: LED lights for heater/air control
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2015, 13:44:57 »
Mark,

One of the issues with LED's are that they generally direct light in one direction.  Superbright LED's does sell the 90 degree ones, but I don't know how they work.  Since you can get to the little bulbs from the front speaker grille, without pulling the dash apart, I was less worried about longevity.  And the little clear bulbs throw enough light for the heater control levers anyway, so there is not an inherent dimness issue.

My two cents is to leave them be, just in case you asked.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH
1970 280SL 291H Dark Olive

Alex D

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Re: LED lights for heater/air control
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2015, 14:28:04 »
Hi Mark,
 
I was just looking for the exact same led replacement light bulbs this mornings, for the heater/air controller.  Please let me know if you find any. The information off my current bulb is 12v 2w Dr.G.Fischer, which from what I can tell are the original light bulb for the heater/air controller.  So far I can't find a led replacement. 

Thanks,
Alex
Alex D
1967 250 SL
Original 140K mi
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66andBlue

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Re: LED lights for heater/air control
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2015, 17:31:31 »
I know there is a heap of info on installing LED bulbs to replace incandescent in the various dashboard instruments.
However, what about replacing to two tiny 2W incandescent globes in the heater/air flow lever controls with either 4W or LED??
I cant seem to find any specific view as to whether this specific globe replacement is possible to give more light (and longer life).
Can any one help ??

Mark,
the original bulb in your photo sits in a BA7s bayonet base and that is what you need to find. Google for BA7s LED and what comes up are the ones sold by Superbright but as Mike and I have found out they are worse than the original because the beam points upwards.
You'll find some eBay ads claiming that EICO BA7s are halogen bulbs but I doubt it because on the company homepage the 12V bulbs are listed as incandescent:
http://www.eiko.com/Products.aspx?CatID=958
They put out about 7-8 lumen.
I have found one BA7s with more than one LED although it could be too long or too thick:
http://www.bonanza.com/listings/2x-Ba7s-P282-283-L72-Lucas-LLB282-Vintage-Classic-Car-Motorcycle-12v-Bulbs-Light/234765849?gpid=18283950120&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CIfbqMei9MYCFc5lfgodMnwHfw
Try it out and let us know!   ;)
Alfred
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1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

batman

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Re: LED lights for heater/air control
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2015, 00:03:50 »
Thanks Alfred & thanks Mike.

I will try to get the LED 5 replacement for the BA7s bayonet base (so that the 4 side LED's push the light outwards) from my local LED supplier here in Melbourne.

I will let everyone know if I have luck. If not I will stick with the current 2w Dr.G.Fischer's I have. I agree that they probably provide enough light.