#81 Bulb for Dash Lights

[52b3b Joe]

Am I missing something about the #81 bulb in the tech tip section at the top? I ordered some number 81 bulbs like the tips say for the dash lights to replace the 55s and the 81s require a bigger socket. I'm not out a whole lot but is it a typo, or am I missing something about light bulbs? Is there another bulb that will fit that is brighter? On our 41 Desoto (and I'm assuming all of these mopars) the gauges are barely visible at night.  Any ideas? 

[P15-D24]

Looks like the info that was sent in is incorrect. Looking at the lamp chart (you can download it off the downloads page) it looks like you would need to have a no. 63 bulb as stock for the upgrade to work. Maybe the original poster switched sockets? I just checked the numbers in the parts book it doesn't look like it will work. Sorry for the error and will make the correction. (It was the only tip that I personally haven't tried and the only one submitted    )

Edited February 7, 2013 by P15-D24

[52b3b Joe]

Looks like the info that was sent in is incorrect. Looking at the lamp chart (you can download it off the downloads page) it looks like you would need to have a no. 63 bulb as stock for the upgrade to work. Maybe the original poster switched sockets? I just checked the numbers in the parts book it doesn't look like it will work. Sorry for the error and will make the correction. (It was the only tip that I personally haven't tried and the only one submitted    )

 

I was just confused a little, thanks for answer. I didn't look around enough at the downloads page to see the bulb chart. Thanks for sharing that!

[TodFitch]

#55 is a G-4 1/4 bulb with a miniature bayonet base rated for 7volts and 2CP.

 

My miniature lamp guide shows a #607 with the same form factor rated for 6v and 3.7CP (typical use listed is for "Ind. Pilot Balloon observation" whatever that is). My guess is that it would burn out pretty fast as its is underrated for the auto electrical system.

 

That is about it. If you were running 12v there are other bulbs available but I don't see a better 6v one in that old guide.

[BobT-47P15]

My car (47 P15) has the large base bulbs as dash lights.  I just installed a pair of #63s.......but they are still none too bright

in the center speedometer area.  The gas gauge, etc are easier to see. I also have a pair of 81s, so will try switching them

in to see if brighter.  Seems as if those lights were brighter in the past.  

 

I have put new wires to the dash lights, the high beam indicator light, the ignition switch and clock lights.  And the

sockets appear clean and not corroded.  I think the wire used was supposed to be 16 gauge.  Don't know if a

bit heavier wire would be helpful.

 

Another thing I did was to bypass that little switch under the dash that turns the dash lights on and off.  It's something I

normally would never use.....and when messing with it and turning the lights off, it was often hard to make good contact

for them to be turned on again.  

 

So, I have loop connectors on the end of each wire mentioned above (plus the power wire)......simply took a small nut,

bolt and washer and joined them all together.  Wrapped with some electrical tape to avoid shorting.  I believe the power

for these comes from the "D" connector of the headlight switch, which activates them.  Left the switch in the dash, but

it now does nothing.  

 

I have been trying to note all such changes, plus other modifications and non stock things (like speaker wires I installed

between back seat and trunk)......in a loose leaf notebook.  Sometimes I draw a picture to illustrate what was done, and

tell when it occurred.  Heck, even I forget what I did 5, 10 or 20 years ago.