I just did this modification. Simple and really quick job that makes reading instruments in darkness much easier! Before this mod, I could barely read my speedometer in the dark, and the tachometer was pretty much invisible.

@brianvogt8125

3 жыл бұрын

I used the brighter incandescent bulbs for my car's number plate illumination, because I had several spares on hand. Either way is a good solution.

The warning lights in the middle: in particular, don't replace the GEN globe with an LED one because the alternator is designed to work with that exact one. If you're an LED fanatic, Katdash is the way to go. I haven't tried it, but it universally gets good reviews. The price is very high.

OK, I figured out the polarity, and also determined that the Phillips Ultinon bulbs are too bright. After determining the polarity, I tested several LEDs. First off, Positive (+ or red mark) points to the inside of the cluster, ground is outside. One way to remember is to took for the brown lead from the tachometer. It is connected to the ground foil trace. The LED bulb that worked best for me is the Sylvania Cool White 163.

How can we change the windows of the speedometer?

Do you know someone (or yourself) that repairs insturments cluster. I have a cluster that the speedometer & tachometer are not working. Its on a BMW R1200GS 2005. Thanks

@brianvogt8125

3 жыл бұрын

Not in Antarctica where you might possibly be. I suggest joining a Facebook group for BMW oilheads of hexheads and ask the question there ... and bother to mention you location. This video is specific to the 1970s-1980s BMW airhead cluster. Electronic gauges are famous for going crazy when the voltage is low, perhaps due to a flat battery, a broken (or breaking) wire, or corroded earth connection.

Why the direction matters: A light-emitting diode (LED) is ... surprise, surprise ... a diode that emits useful light. A diode is a one-way valve for electrical current. As with water or air, if you try to push the current against a valve, nothing moves. Read more at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode

@BeardTeamUSAOfficial

3 жыл бұрын

Is there a way to tell which direction the bulb is intended to be inserted?

@brianvogt8125

3 жыл бұрын

@@BeardTeamUSAOfficial - I don't think so. As he said, try it one way, and turn it around if it doesn't work. You don't need to replace the back panels in order to test. Just pick the cluster up off the bench, and loosely plug the socket (on the end of the wiring loom) into the long pins. With the cluster held firmly in one hand, turn on the parking light, and you should be able to remove & reverse a non-working LED globe holder.

@BeardTeamUSAOfficial

3 жыл бұрын

@@brianvogt8125 Thanks!

WTF is the POLARITY???

Yeah, possibly the most uninformative awkward and annoying bike maintenance videos I've ever seen. Perhaps if the camera was set onto a fixed tripod it might've helped?