Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

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gregor
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Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by gregor »

I'd a problem earlier this year with a garage fitting a 21w halogen bulb instead of the standard 6w halogen bulb.Toasted the bulb holder. :idea:
But why use such a strange and expensive bulb to illuminate the plate? All the other bulbs are conventional car (auto) types and the headlight bulb is an H4 type. :?:
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by rdsmith3 »

Mine has been burnt out for a while. I do not know how long, actually. It passed the last inspection, and unless it fails a future one, I do not see any reason for replacing the bulb.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by two wheel tango »

Its a Ba9s -- I recently replaced with an LED equivalent.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by riceburner »

rdsmith3 wrote:Mine has been burnt out for a while. I do not know how long, actually. It passed the last inspection, and unless it fails a future one, I do not see any reason for replacing the bulb.
Mine's been through 2 MOTs with it burnt out (I keep forgetting to look for a new one).
Non quod, sed quomodo.

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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Photoguy »

Gonna go check mine now...I have no idea if it's working or not.

BACK FROM THE GARAGE: Nope...nada.

...and just checked on-line. $9.90 at a dealer!

As an FYI for anyone replacing a halogen bulb in general, try not to handle the glass. In the higher wattage bulbs anyway, finger greese will "cook" on the hot glass surface...may not be so much of a concern at 6w...but considering the price, I'd like to get as much life out of mine as i can.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by gregor »

LED replacements are actually cheaper on line than the halogen original.
Have ordered a pair on ebay.
They seem to be popular for 'upgrading' front sidelights so maybe the spare one can go in mine.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Photoguy »

gregor-
can you point me in a direction for an interchangable LED?

thanks-
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by gregor »

I just searched on the UK ebay site for 'H6W led' and a number came up at £6.99 for two.
Not sure if the USA definition of the bulbs is the same.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Photoguy »

Thanks for the tip...ordered 2.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Phang »

Hi Photoguy,

I ignored the burnt license plate bulb for months until I read this.

Ordered a pair of this a few hours ago. Let’s see who will get the LEDs first :D

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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Phang »

Found this envelope in my mailbox (the one made of metal) this morning.

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Comparing with the burnt halogen bulb that I removed from the bulb holder.
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Replaced the bulb, turn on the ignition, no light.

Checked bulb holder voltage, 11.58V
Tried the other LED bulb, no light.
Connect a 12Vdc from a power supply unit to both LED, bright white light.

My first suspect was bad bulb holder contact due to oxidation. So, I removed the bulb holder and wanted to give it a good scraping and clean up.

Before I clean the holder, I install the LED again and connected to my 12Vdc power supply, BRIGHT white light!

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Wait a minute, the Brown colour wire was connected to the base of the holder before I unplugged it. A quick check in the Clymer manual revealed that the Brown colour wire is actually a ground (or –ve). LED is a diode, -ve voltage to the anode will not work.

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I corrected the Bayerische Motoren Werke Motorrad assembly line error by reversing the connectors and voila!

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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by gregor »

My new bulb comprises of 4 separate LEDs which emit most light from the ends. Not much light gets out sideways directly to the plate. Adequate though.
Check what is being supplied if you are fussy and really want a floodlit plate!
I fitted the spare LED bulb into the front parking light bulb holder and that is visibly whiter and brighter than before.
A round needle file was needed to ease one side of the bulb holder to allow full engagement of the assymetric pins. Standard bulb still fits.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by stilldking »

Phang wrote:
Image

Phang,
I noticed in the above picture the pins are directly opposite each other, but when I pulled my bulb they're offset a little. Did the one you recieved have the offset or were they inline?
Also, good thinking on the swap for the power. I'll store that away for when my bulbs come in.

Thanks
JC
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gregor
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by gregor »

Pins are indeed offset in my bulbs received for my 2002 R1150R- correct for the number plate bulbholder.
Modified the front pilot light holder as above, to take the LED bulb.
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Phang »

That’s a good one JC =D>

The LED that I received has 180 degrees bayonets and the one taken from my bike has 120 degrees bayonets.

The bulb holder accepts both types of bayonets.

Cheers,
Phang

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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Photoguy »

Well, it seems tht you got yours before I did. Mine are due in tomorrow. Glad I read your post...I'll probably have to make the same wire switch!
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Re: Unusual Bulb for Licence (Number) Plate

Post by Photoguy »

From the way back machine:

Tried to link this thread to the current discussion on bulbs but couldn't seem to get a link, so I'll just bump it here in case it's of any interest
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