LED light bulbs in dash

[JPaganel]

I bought these LED bulbs. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WYH1RE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

I wanted to test-fit them to see if I got it right. I did, the indicator and backlight bulbs in the XS gauges are 9mm bayonet mounts. There isn't an interchange listed that I could find, but that's what they are.

I put these LEDs into the hi-beam indicator and the neutral indicator. They are super-bright, far brighter than the original bulbs. The neutral light really makes you take notice at night. At the same time, there is no more blinking when I switch to neutral, so the power draw is a lot less.

I'm waiting on some other LEDs for the backights in speedo and tach, but I think they might even be overkill. They are supposed to be even brighter than these. I wouldn't hesitate to light the whole cluster with these.

 

[ThePsuedoMonkey]

I used these to replace the stock lights.

They weren't too bad.

 

[JPaganel]

Bases don't look right. Unless they switched from 9mm bayonet to 194 at some point.

 

[ThePsuedoMonkey]

Yeah there must have been a switchover; all of my gauge lights on my '81 were the wedge type

 

[JPaganel]

Got the other bulbs I ordered yesterday.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005296QHA

They took a while to get here, but still within the promised time period. I already got them into the instruments. The results are great.

In daylight the spots where the bulbs shine directly do stand out a little bit. At night the lighting looks even and very bright.

I will try and take a picture in the dark to show what color they show up as. It's more yellow, where the original incandescent bulbs were more orange.

 

[JPaganel]

Here are some pics. The neutral indicator is silly bright, it washes out the rest of the picture.

 

[Herr_man]

Here are some pics. The neutral indicator is silly bright, it washes out the rest of the picture.

Are these for the backlight of the speedometer. Is the same fit as this the stock one?

 

[JPaganel]

This looks correct for the early (78-79) bikes. The bulbs are the same for backlight and for the indicators.

 

[arfstrom]

Hi neighbour, I have earmarked this thread for when I upgrade. BCware, #5 seems to be my guide.
http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6294

More info, same info, btway the last guy made me smile! I have 3 hidden lights ((not me, Quote from next URL.))
http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5077

as always good luck!
Tobie

 

[Herr_man]

I used this one on my -82 and it works well, not super bright but it's readable when it's pitch-dark.
http://www.kjell.com/sortiment/el/b...-lampa-ba9s-p63295#ProductDetailedInformation

 

[16VGTIDave]

In my (not so humble) opinion, there are 4 reasons to install LED lights:

1) Longer life
2) Brighter
3) Faster response time (when used as turn signals or brake lights)
4) Reduced power consumption

In my case, 1 -3 are important, and 4 is crucial. Especially when one considers how minimal the charging system is on our bikes, and the age of the wiring.

In my case, I want to add other electrical consumers like more lights (LED driving lights), phone charger (used for GPS), heated grips (for the cold weather), and possibly heated clothing (for the really cold weather). Adding load resistors just to get the flasher relay to work (like suggested in those threads) reduces the value of installing expensive LED bulbs by 25%. When one considers the cost of the resistors and the time to install them, using the correct flasher relay should be the only reasonable option. Even if no other electrical devices are desired.

Besides all that, every Watt of power not consumed by the charging system is another Watt that can go to the rear tire.

Like I said, this is just my opinion, and the reason I'm replacing working incandescent bulbs with LED's.
Dave

 

[arfstrom]

http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9190
So is this the one you would recommend? I am interested in also the same end results, which is why I review all these! STOBerto said it went in easy, then he posted a pic of 3 prong relay, and posted a link to amazon for a 2 prong plug in relay. But he said it worked fine. for 8 bucks, I could explore the possibilities.

I still find that sentence funny though, to have 3 led lights just to trigger the relay.

Okay I relooked at that link, it doesn't say anything for LED.

 

[16VGTIDave]

The relay pictured is the stock one that was replaced. A 2 pin electronic relay, preferably for LED's, is what is needed.

 

[arfstrom]

Okay, Thank you google.
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=24257.0
This web site, has suggested the EP34. Then someone on our page said it looked like a EP36, JMD had success with his thread! using LFS-1
http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5497&highlight=EP34&page=2

Wow, okay, I think its my nap time, Seems the wiring of your bike, dictates if you will have success with the EP34. Perhaps to add a ground, some people have had success with out. Then you have JMD using the above mentioned Flasher, while adding some rectifier diode.

So some more fodder to think about! I am going to sleep on it, hope for some aspiration to hit

and not to forget, the autocancel. You can live without, or you can live with it. Soo many choices!

 

[JPaganel]

Here is what I used for the flasher:

http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8933

EP-12, AKA FL-32