Brighter Dash Lights

[Don St Peter]

I found the following post on Tech tips section of this forum

"Brighter Dash Lights

Tommy Carroll, President of the Carolina Region, Plymouth Owners Club submitted a great tip to improve dash visibility and safety at night. He uses #81 bulbs instead of the standard #55 miniature bulb. The #55 has a brightness around 3 candle power compared to the #81 with 6 candle power. The #81 bulb really lights up the gauges and speedometer and heat generation seem about the same."

In trying to buy the #81 bulb the car quest books show the #81 with a larger base than the #51. Does anyone know about it? Since I'm seeking brighter dash lights for my 40 Ply. P-9 I also considered the halegon bulbs advertized by some . Anyone tried them?

Thanks in Advance

Don

[P-12 Tommy]

I mentioned that in an older post. He must be talking about a different #81

Tom

[Normspeed]

Someone here mentioned using a bulb that was made for use in 6 volt flashlights. May have been the #81 mentioned. You might check your local radio shack, if they still have their stock of replacement lamp bulbs.

[vitamindart]

the local napa was very helpfull to me when i replace all the dash lights in my dads 57 ford over the summer they had a book with the candle power and voltage of assorted bulbs

[P-12 Tommy]

Good info!

Tom

[Plymouthy Adams]

http://www.taillightking.com/light_bulbs.htm

[jimainnj]

My 47 P15 took a 763 bulb (car Quest ) used #63 on my bill. It has a larger bass and is the only size I found in my dash. The 55's are small base. I read in an early post that a #81/316 where brighter with a small base.

[TodFitch]

See: http://www.ply33.com/Backmatter/lightbulbs

The #55 has a "miniature bayonet" base with a G-4 1/2 globe on it.

The #81 is a bayonet base with a G-6 globe on it. So the #81 will not fit where you had a #55. The #81 is a drop in replacement for a #63 giving 6 CP compared to the #63's 3 CP. So the #81 would make my dash and parking lights brighter but won't help you.

I'll try to get some time to look through my old GE miniature lamp catalog (or the newer Philips equivalent) to see what, if any, lamp number would have the same physical dimensions as the #55 but give out more light. When if I find one I'll post it here and update the table on my web site at the above link.

[Don St Peter]

Thanks for the info guys. Tod, I will be anxiously awaiting any info you may come up with!! Do you have an opinion on the Halagon bulbs some are toutimg?

Thanks again

Don

[BobT-47P15]

It seems as if someone said halogen bulbs are hotter than regular ones.

[TodFitch]

Thanks for the info guys. Tod, I will be anxiously awaiting any info you may come up with!! Do you have an opinion on the Halagon bulbs some are toutimg?

Thanks again

Don

Unfortunately I came up empty. There are some other bulbs of that size with a miniature bayonet base but they are all equally low or lower candlepower. Seems like that size was mostly used for instrument lighting and I guess everyone liked their instruments dark.

Quartz-halogen lamps do run hotter than traditional bulbs and I would be cautious about using them in any location where heat could be a problem.

[Plymouthy Adams]

halogen is not a recommended fix..heat, byprodcut of wattage (current drain) will be a two fold problem..dmage from heat..overload fo the internal breaker for the lamp circuits...you'd do better with bright white LEDs..heat is also a by product here..proper illumination of the LED based on the supply voltage and proper dropping resisitor can net a good balance..

[JohnS48plm]

I went through my old parts and found the box for the #81 bulbs I used in my P-15 dash. The end of the box says Westinghouse 6v no.81 6 c.p.. These bulbs have a 1/2 inch base with 2 pins and replace the #55 bulb. I bought these at a swap meet for $1.50 each and they really lit the dash well. JohnS

[TodFitch]

I went through my old parts and found the box for the #81 bulbs I used in my P-15 dash. The end of the box says Westinghouse 6v no.81 6 c.p.. These bulbs have a 1/2 inch base with 2 pins and replace the #55 bulb. I bought these at a swap meet for $1.50 each and they really lit the dash well. JohnS

Hmm. A #81 is a "G-6" bulb that is 1 7/16" tall and has a "bayonet base" while #55 is a G 4 1/2 bulb that is 1 1/16" tall and has a "miniature bayonet base". Seems unlikely that you could fit a #81 into a place designed for a #55.

[JohnS48plm]

If I get a chance and can figure out how to post a picture I'll try and post one in the next few days. JohnS

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you serious about bright white bulbs..follow this link..scroll down to the next to last prodcut on that page...

Ba9s 6 Volt Replaces #1906, 1850, 1847, 47, 755, 1866, 44, 239, 1810, 1888, 51

http://classicautobulbs.com/6volt.html

do ask if these are negative or positve ground..as they are LED..this would be critical..did not say but I would assume negative..their products for 6 volt substitution above this lamp are non-polar..but this particular bulb was not specified that I can find..

another site..again..cannot find a polarity chart for these...

http://www.cnyqled.com/3LED_Indicator_2.htm

Edited December 31, 2009 by Tim Adams

[JohnS48plm]

here are the pictures of the #81 bulb. I can't find any of the 55 bulbs to compare with it. JohnS

[JohnS48plm]

After more searching I found an original dash light socket from my 48 and put the #81 bulb in it. JohnS

[P-12 Tommy]

The 6-volt #81 base is 5/8 inches wide. The #55 base is 3/8 inches wide.If somebody makes a #81 with a 3/8 base, I want 'em.

Tom

[Coffin04]

Rezing this cause i found some information some might find useful about those 6 Volt LEDS on the site Tim posted.

The 6 Volt Super White LED Ba9s towards the bottom are set up as such.

Single Contact Point: +

The Bulbs Case: -

I don't know anything about light bulbs so i'm not sure if that's a positive or negative ground.