1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
1 Saabers Like This Post!
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I found some cheap alternatives for a few instrument bulbs! I had the following bulbs burn out in my 2003 Aero: central locking switch, seat heater switch (a few of those) and cigarette lighter bulb. I priced those out, and they were awfully expensive. After reading the posts on this board, I was going to try the Radio Shack "rice grain" light surgery, but wanted to try something different.
Someone had previously looked at http://www.superbrightleds.com and concluded that there were some LEDs that would work for the City Lights. I looked there and ordered a few that I thought might work for some internal lights. After some trial and error, I found a some that actually worked! The "3mm NEO3x" bulbs will work in both the central locking switch and the seat heater switch ($1.29 each). I used the green LEDs; they're really bright in comparison to the stock bulbs, and a deeper green. I used a sharpie to "dim" the light by blacking out about 3/4 of the LED, and it looks pretty darn good! The only trick is that the bulbs are polarized, so you may have to turn them around if they don't work the first time you seat them. They're also a bit tight, but they fit and will come out with no problems.
As for the cigarette lighter bulb, I went to my local Shucks Auto Parts (aka Kragen or Checkers) and found that the Sylvania 2723 bulb (13.5V, 2.5W) works just fine with a recycled green cover ($3.79 for two; 10% less if you have a military discount like myself. Go Shucks!).
I think I saved well over $20 with just a few bulb replacements. There looks like there may be some other bulbs on the superbrightleds website that may work for other inside applications as well, but I haven't checked yet (if it's not broke...). I may, however, order some red and blue LEDs for the thumbwheel side of the seat heater and ventilation switches; I thought it might be cool to have little red or blue lines depending upon the switch. If I decide to do that, I'll post some pictures.
posted by 76.121.183...
1
, Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:39:32
, Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:42:49, Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:09:04
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
