Post by halosfan06 on Aug 14, 2008 16:15:26 GMT -5
Last week, I read about LED brake lights for the scoot. scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=tipsandtricks&thread=6108&page=2
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Since one of my greatest desires on the bike is to be as visible as possible, I ordered a new light post haste (Sunday). Today (Thursday), it was sitting in my mailbox. I threw down the backpack, grabbed my camera, and went to work changing out the old incandescent. So here's the HOW TO: for anyone interested in doing this themselves. Note: I only know how this works for my scooter. I know other scooters have completely different setups.
Cost: $16.28
Tools: Phillips Screwdriver, Bowl for screws, Cold beverage of choice
Time: 5 minutes (15 if you take pictures)
Difficulty: 1 - Ridiculously Easy
Chosen Bulb: 24 LED Red Brake Taillight 1157 LED light
1. The original incandescent bulb has "P21/5W 12V" printed on the base. After much research on this site and online, I discovered this is nothing more than a metric (I presume) version of the standard dual-stage 1157 tail light bulb. I chose to order one from V-Leds.com since they seemed to have an ok reputation on the few threads I read. $11.99 for the bulb, $3.79 shipping, and I chose the $0.50 insurance (although I'm not exactly sure why). Grand total for the order: $16.28 billed to the Visa. Ordered Sunday and arrived Thursday in the USPS mail. I saw a LOT of different lights out there, this is just the one I chose. Don't know if its the best though. 24 LED Red 1157 Brake Light
2. I started by photographing the running light, brake light, and brake light from a 35 degree angle at a distance of about 8 feet.
3. After removing the key from the ignition and setting the scoot on the center-stand, I grabbed a bowl for the screws and a phillips screwdriver. I also set a nice comfortable chair behind the tail-light because I'm lazy like that.
4. Start by removing the 2 screws from the plate below the lens, then remove the plate.
5. Next, remove the 2 screws from the red lens (only) and carefully slide the lens straight back towards you.
6. Once the cover is removed, you should see a bulb in a brass socket. The bulb is held in by two small protrusions that follow a track. Slightly (and carefully, don't smash the bulb) press inward on the bulb, then twist counterclockwise about 1/16 of a turn or so. The bulb should then slide straight out towards you.
7. Next, the new bulb should have the exact same base as the old. There should be two protrusions that slide in the track of the socket. The bulb I chose is a 24 LED type with RED light. It is important to have a red light and not a clear one (the lit color, not the unlit clear color) because the red lens will filter out most of the light of a white led light. Get RED.
8. Insert the new LED bulb into the socket in the reverse order that you took the old bulb out. My housing is cavernous enough to hold the bulb with TONS of extra space. If you get a larger bulb, make sure it fits well inside the housing and doesn't touch the lens or the lens may melt (or so I hear).
9. Place the red lens cover back over the reflector, being careful not to damage the interlocking tabs (and making sure they interlock too ;D ). Put the correct screws in the correct holes and tighten them down (just don't overtighten...I think I might have come close to stripping the plastic threads on the right side...oops).
10. Before you replace the plate underneath the red lens, be sure the metal tabs are lined up with the holes. The threads on the screws will grab these tabs and not the plastic that these surround. As you can see on mine, the right tab came loose and was shifted to the right a little. Then replace the plate and screw this down carefully, making sure you interlock the tabs.
11. Enjoy cold beverage of choice and admire your work. Ride around the block and make sure your whole system works just right.
12. I posted some pictures of the final product. I must say I'm not pleased with the quality of the photographs. These lights do seem a bit brighter than the original incandescents in person. The photographs seem to show the opposite. I will look at them around dusk and see what they look like then also. I am very pleased with the lights though so far.
I will try to check my light daily and post some updates to let everyone know if everything is running smoothly. Good luck and safe riding everyone.
Stewy
scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=talk&thread=10547&page=1
scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.cgi
Since one of my greatest desires on the bike is to be as visible as possible, I ordered a new light post haste (Sunday). Today (Thursday), it was sitting in my mailbox. I threw down the backpack, grabbed my camera, and went to work changing out the old incandescent. So here's the HOW TO: for anyone interested in doing this themselves. Note: I only know how this works for my scooter. I know other scooters have completely different setups.
Cost: $16.28
Tools: Phillips Screwdriver, Bowl for screws, Cold beverage of choice
Time: 5 minutes (15 if you take pictures)
Difficulty: 1 - Ridiculously Easy
Chosen Bulb: 24 LED Red Brake Taillight 1157 LED light
1. The original incandescent bulb has "P21/5W 12V" printed on the base. After much research on this site and online, I discovered this is nothing more than a metric (I presume) version of the standard dual-stage 1157 tail light bulb. I chose to order one from V-Leds.com since they seemed to have an ok reputation on the few threads I read. $11.99 for the bulb, $3.79 shipping, and I chose the $0.50 insurance (although I'm not exactly sure why). Grand total for the order: $16.28 billed to the Visa. Ordered Sunday and arrived Thursday in the USPS mail. I saw a LOT of different lights out there, this is just the one I chose. Don't know if its the best though. 24 LED Red 1157 Brake Light
2. I started by photographing the running light, brake light, and brake light from a 35 degree angle at a distance of about 8 feet.
3. After removing the key from the ignition and setting the scoot on the center-stand, I grabbed a bowl for the screws and a phillips screwdriver. I also set a nice comfortable chair behind the tail-light because I'm lazy like that.
4. Start by removing the 2 screws from the plate below the lens, then remove the plate.
5. Next, remove the 2 screws from the red lens (only) and carefully slide the lens straight back towards you.
6. Once the cover is removed, you should see a bulb in a brass socket. The bulb is held in by two small protrusions that follow a track. Slightly (and carefully, don't smash the bulb) press inward on the bulb, then twist counterclockwise about 1/16 of a turn or so. The bulb should then slide straight out towards you.
7. Next, the new bulb should have the exact same base as the old. There should be two protrusions that slide in the track of the socket. The bulb I chose is a 24 LED type with RED light. It is important to have a red light and not a clear one (the lit color, not the unlit clear color) because the red lens will filter out most of the light of a white led light. Get RED.
8. Insert the new LED bulb into the socket in the reverse order that you took the old bulb out. My housing is cavernous enough to hold the bulb with TONS of extra space. If you get a larger bulb, make sure it fits well inside the housing and doesn't touch the lens or the lens may melt (or so I hear).
9. Place the red lens cover back over the reflector, being careful not to damage the interlocking tabs (and making sure they interlock too ;D ). Put the correct screws in the correct holes and tighten them down (just don't overtighten...I think I might have come close to stripping the plastic threads on the right side...oops).
10. Before you replace the plate underneath the red lens, be sure the metal tabs are lined up with the holes. The threads on the screws will grab these tabs and not the plastic that these surround. As you can see on mine, the right tab came loose and was shifted to the right a little. Then replace the plate and screw this down carefully, making sure you interlock the tabs.
11. Enjoy cold beverage of choice and admire your work. Ride around the block and make sure your whole system works just right.
12. I posted some pictures of the final product. I must say I'm not pleased with the quality of the photographs. These lights do seem a bit brighter than the original incandescents in person. The photographs seem to show the opposite. I will look at them around dusk and see what they look like then also. I am very pleased with the lights though so far.
I will try to check my light daily and post some updates to let everyone know if everything is running smoothly. Good luck and safe riding everyone.
Stewy
