• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

Dash lights replacement

Kaz

New member
31
1
0
Location
Wichita area, KS
Does anyone know a good replacement for the dash bulbs? I got a pair of Sylvania 1891 bulbs that fit and turned on, but apparently they were too much for the housings and melted them to the point I had to chip them out. All I found in a search was the LED replacements. Thanks.
 

ryanruck

Active member
427
46
28
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Does anyone know a good replacement for the dash bulbs? I got a pair of Sylvania 1891 bulbs that fit and turned on, but apparently they were too much for the housings and melted them to the point I had to chip them out. All I found in a search was the LED replacements. Thanks.
I went all LED and didn't look back. I can actually read my gauges now! No worries about heat issues either.

At first I tried the military issue LEDs (NSN 5980-01-438-8939) and they were okay but still not as bright as I'd prefer. The upside was they came with new, clear bulb caps to replace my melted green ones.

SuperBrightLEDs has 28v LEDs with the appropriate BA9S base and they are very reasonably priced. The only downside is that the 28v are only available in narrow 32 degree view. There's a remedy for that though. I made reflectors for inside of the bulb caps with some aluminum foil glued inside the top.

Since the lights were so inexpensive I tried a couple different color combos to see which I liked best. Red, green, and white all do a great job lighting up the dash. Amber is pretty mediocre. I used the whites for a little while but eventually went back to green. Also replaced my flasher light with one. No forgetting when it's on now!

Part numbers for LEDs:

BA9S-W4-32-28VAC: Cool White, 32 Degree, 28V
BA9S-G4-32-28VAC: Green, 32 Degree, 28V
BA9S-A4-32-28VAC: Amber, 32 Degree, 28V
BA9S-R4-32-28VAC: Red, 32 Degree, 28V

Some pics:

IMG_1765_zpsqvdelvy1.jpg IMG_1761_zps7o28bb0c.jpg IMG_1763_zpsdroisxsd.jpg IMG_1764_zps1ltsn4cn.jpg IMG_1762_zpswdoy8iih.jpg
 
Last edited:

ryanruck

Active member
427
46
28
Location
Cincinnati, OH
SuperBrightLEDs BA9S bulbs :mrgreen:

And just an FYI, if you don't put some sort of reflective material inside the caps, only the green and white ones look decent. Red is on the dim side. Also, goes without saying, you're going to be limited to green or white with the green tinted bulb caps if you don't get the clear ones that come with the military issue LED kit.
 
Last edited:

ari

New member
233
3
0
Location
dacula Ga
got some green ones. After I ordered I noticed they sell led ba15s Imight replace the tail lights and signals with led bulbs too.
 
Top