Instrument Panel Light

L

lake_harley

Senior Member
I'm re-doing the instrument panel in my '30 Coupe (oval speedometer), and I need a bulb for the light in the center of the instrument panel. I'm converting to 12V so need a different bulb. Somehow, I've misplaced the old 6V bulb so I don't have a sample to look for something similar. The socket is made for a double contact for the bulb, which is just a bit odd to me for a single filament bulb. I've looked in several supplier's websites and only find single contact bulbs (3 C.P.) for instrument panel lights.

The socket has two set screws from the back of the socket to retain the wires in the two terminals. Does that sound stock, or has someone substituted a different light? It has a bullet-shaped chrome cap that pulls off to get to the bulb.

Maybe someone can offer guidance?

Lynn
 
Shouldbe a single filament bulb, fairly low candle power, 3cp, if I remember correctly. Higher (10cp) get too hot too quickly to be used.
 
A single filament bulb with two contacts has one contact supplying power and the other grounded. Take your ohm meter and see if one contact is grounded and one hot. Search for a bulb that matches the contact configuration with the low candlepower that abachman3 recommended. Check the pins on the sides too. For a single filament bulb with two contacts the pins should be equal in height and not offset. LED bulbs are available from Superbrightleds.com and others.
 
Thanks for the replies. I didn't see any reason it would be more than one filament and I did find a two-contact, single-filament bulb that fits the instrument panel light unit. 1004, is the number of the bulb, if I remember correctly from earlier this afternoon.

I did a quick test and it does light but seems quite bright. I'm just guessing it is a higher candlepower like 10 C.P. I'll do a bit more researching for a possible lower C.P. bulb than the 1004, and maybe on my next trip to the parts store I can go in armed with a bulb number.

Thanks for the help.

Lynn
 
Sounds like your lite has been replaced with a replacement of some sort.
This is a original lamp with one contact.
 

Attachments

  • dash lamp.jpg
    dash lamp.jpg
    170.9 KB · Views: 80
lake_harley said:
Thanks for the replies. I didn't see any reason it would be more than one filament and I did find a two-contact, single-filament bulb that fits the instrument panel light unit. 1004, is the number of the bulb, if I remember correctly from earlier this afternoon.

I did a quick test and it does light but seems quite bright. I'm just guessing it is a higher candlepower like 10 C.P. I'll do a bit more researching for a possible lower C.P. bulb than the 1004, and maybe on my next trip to the parts store I can go in armed with a bulb number.

Thanks for the help.
I think bulb 1004 is 15 candle power.
Click to expand...
 
Back in the olden days when I first bought a Model A, mine came without a dash light. Being the enterprising teenager that I was, I devised my own. I got a 2 filament bulb, more than likely a tail/stop light. I wired the "tail" portion to come on with the lights, and the "stop" on a separate toggle switch. That way I could turn on the brighter light that would illuminate the entire floor area anytime I wanted. But what did I know, just a teenager.
 
McMimmcs said:
I think bulb 1004 is 15 candle power.
Click to expand...

Then I guess it wasn't me just thinking it was a bit bright! I can do some looking for a lower C.P. bulb, or do you happen to know the number for about a 3 C.P. that has the same base?

Using a two filament bulb is an interesting idea. "Mood" lighting and "Daylight" modes?:)

Lynn
 
lake_harley said:
I did a quick test and it does light but seems quite bright. I'm just guessing it is a higher candlepower like 10 C.P. I'll do a bit more researching for a possible lower C.P. bulb than the 1004, and maybe on my next trip to the parts store I can go in armed with a bulb number.

Lynn
Click to expand...
These are all 12 V lamps with the same base you have:

1004 12W 15CP (Candlepower)
90.... 7W 6CP
68.... 8W 4CP

There are more, especially on the brighter end, but they have bigger globes that may not fit.
 
abachman3 said:
Shouldbe a single filament bulb, fairly low candle power, 3cp, if I remember correctly. Higher (10cp) get too hot too quickly to be used.
Click to expand...


X2 - I tried a higher power bulb, if driving at night with it on, the lamp "hood" heated up quickly hot enough to burn my fingers. As mentioned above if you wish for more light, convert to an LED bulb.
 
Mister Moose said:
These are all 12 V lamps with the same base you have:

1004 12W 15CP (Candlepower)
90.... 7W 6CP
68.... 8W 4CP

There are more, especially on the brighter end, but they have bigger globes that may not fit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that list!! Looks like a 68 bulb should do the trick at 4CP. My searching found another bulb with 4CP....a 96 bulb, providing I read the specs right. I'll look for those 2 number bulbs at the parts store.

Lynn
 
If you have one contact on your connector that is positive and the other grounded, and the pins are opposite each other, then you can use a BA15D base. These bulbs are normally used in marine applications. An LED equivalent, available from Super Bright LED's is the part number 1142-CW12-G. This is a 12 volt bulb that uses 0.10 amps or 1.2 watts at 12 volts. It is advertised to last 30,000 hours. It will be bright but cool to the touch. See https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ock-cover-12-smd-led-ba15d-retrofit-car/1978/
 
nkaminar....I appreciate the suggestion. I did a bunch of searching and you're exactly right on the base being a BA15D. I'm fine with a regular bulb rather than a LED and will check my local parts store.

Thanks

Lynn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top