Instrument Light Bulb - source and wattage

[h00kem]

I have me dash instruments out for cleaning and figured now would be a good time to replace the light bulbs. The ones in the instruments now are stamped 12volt 3watt. Two question:

Can anyone recommend a good source for replacement bulbs as well as the part number?

Does anyone recommend using a larger wattage bulb for better lumination (e.g. 4w or 5w)?

Thanks guys!

[kare]

Mine are all 2 watt and I sure wouldn't dare to put in higher powerage in fear of damaging some plastic parts inside gauges. The powerage may not be enough to melt things but plastic ages in elevated temperature and may get brittle or grey. (FWIW, I'm adding resistors to register plate illumination as my lenses have melt and I'm sure not going to replace them more than once!)

It should be pretty easy to find bulbs. If you can't find them, I can mail you as many as you like for what they cost at the local moto-market (=around one euro per 2 pcs).

Best wishes, Kare

[TOMKIZER]

Osram O-3796 (2Watt/12V) is what is specified for the 365 GT 2+2. Available at TopBulb for $1.99 ea. Here's their page with the bulb you want, I think.
http://www.topbulb.com/search/results.asp?REF=110
Good luck.
Tom Kizer

[TOMKIZER]

Mistake. The page is their search page. Type in O-3796 at the top and it will bring up the page I tried to send you.
Tom Kizer

[h00kem]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I guess that I will go back to 2w bulbs. I suspect that the last guy to renew the bulbs may not renewed them with the correct wattage. Kare, thanks especially for offering to get them for me. I'll check around the states first but may take you up on it if I can't find them.

[250GT]

Hello its possible to change the 2 watt bulbs by LED's
these lights are coolder than the normal org. bulbs but some smallresisors are necesarry.
Electric know how is a must.
Made these on my Maserati Clone( Citroen Sm,- my wifes car-).
se pics below

Ciao
Cornelis


P.S these can be get in all colors blue green white etc.
See the huge diff at night!

[250GT]

One last modification on Marchal TP 485 (lamps used on 1956-58 F-cars)
The light units with the nice bars and badge on top.
I compleetly change them to white Xenonlights. invisible from out side to see ,only the result is smashing
You all can drive on with ROMANTIC candle lights, no problem.
Now, I will stop describing these urgly none original things.
the purists will become chickenskin allover his body.

ciao
cornelis.

[TOMKIZER]

Cornelius, I love your translated idioms. Apparently in your native language, which I assume is Deutsch, "chicken skin" is an English translation of your local idiom. In American English, we say, "goose bumps". In Canadian French, we say, "chair de poule". It is all the same thing but your translation is refreshing and is more colorful.
Don't stop.
You certainly do have a good understanding of the "purist" mentality.
Tom Kizer

[250GT]

Cornelius, I love your translated idioms. Apparently in your native language, which I assume is Deutsch, "chicken skin" is an English translation of your local idiom. In American English, we say, "goose bumps". In Canadian French, we say, "chair de poule". It is all the same thing but your translation is refreshing and is more colorful.
Don't stop.
You certainly do have a good understanding of the "purist" mentality.
Tom Kizer

Thanks Tom, for those nice words.
I am living and work in Germany for 20 years,
But am an dutchmann and still are and will ever be.
But speaking 4-5 langueses makes it dificult to decide how to write !
I gues no one understand dutch ,german or france in a good way.
So you all have to live with this broken englisch.............(Marien Faithfull ?)
ciao
cornelis