Binnacle Lightbulb

[Dunnik]

Hello all,

Are the light bulbs difficult to replace in the binnacle (aka instrument cluster)? Any idea how long they last?

I ask because I like to keep my full lighting array on, for safety. But if the bulb(s) are difficult to replace - do you need to remove the dash? - then I'd avoid using full lights. But I'd still like to be seen, so in that case I'd retrofit DRL's. Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

[nocfn]

VERY SIMPLE !! You just remove the cluster and the appropriate bulb pulls out for the idiot lights. The cluster lights (2 of them) are twist outs. I bought LED bulbs for them (cool white) and they illuminate a crisper look, rather than the dull yellow.

 

[Dunnik]

Thanks, that's a relief.

 

[nocfn]

there are special tools to remove the cluster if you have never done it. First fully extend the steering wheel to provide the most room. It is generally a good Idea to remove the negative cable when working on the cluster just in the case the 12v clock wire shorts out on the metal, you can be toast. YMMV - So after you extend the steering wheel, you can make your own handles out of sturdy metal about 8' long with a 90 degree bend at the end. Do a search on a cluster pic and you will see where the detents are to safely remove the cluster. Some also place some painters tape over the wood under the cluster and a towel over the steering wheel to avoid scratching them inadvertently. So I will throw that out there.

 

[gerryvz]

I used a pair of coat hanger wire hooks for years, before purchasing the MB factory cluster pulling hooks, which are relatively cheap to buy.

 

[r44raven]

By way of interest, the instrument lighting on my 500E was a bit of a mess, in that at night, when the lighting was on, the left-hand indicator warning light always glowed green (although not as brightly as when one actually used the indicators).

Removal of the cluster revealed that some PO had changed the 2 cluster bulbs for some higher wattage ones - which subsequently melted the plastic surrounding the bulb to the extent it allowed light to "bleed through" into the left-hand indicator warning lens. It took some ingenuity of the part of the guy who looks after my car to "rebuild" the plastic, and all is now OK.

Nocfn mentions about changing the cluster bulbs for LEDs for a crisper look, which is great - but do LEDs produce any heat (or at least heat greater than the original bulbs)?

If any bulb replacement you are anticipating is non-standard, check re the heat output, otherwise you may be storing up problems in the future?

By the way, congratulations to gerryvz, and all others involved, with the migration of our site to xenForo. I can imagine it was (and probably will continue to be for a while) a nightmarish task. But judging by what we see so far, it's well worth it!

Stephen

 

[nocfn]

My experience is less heat and brighter at that. Been running them in my W126 for about 4 years and 2 years in the E. I also have fitted the both with torpedo LED puddles, trunk, dome and license plates. I tried all sorts of "will not trip bulb out indicator" led for brightness in the tails to no avail. I have no desire to chase that rabbit or modify any wiring to do the task. I might add that Uncle Kent sells both cool white and bright white for the cluster. You may be able to get them cheaper at superbright led or others but at least you can see what the are.

 

[nocfn]

Also, if you do want to make your own the 90 degree bend should be like 1mm (or use the gallon paint opening devices from the hardware store.

 

[Dunnik]

Yea, LED's generally are much cooler than incandescent, sounds like a very beneficial and relatively easy upgrade

 

[gerryvz]

I am running LEDs in my 560SEC instrument cluster. They run cool and bright. Recommended upgrade. The 126 cluster uses much the same bulbs as the 124 cluster.

 

[luckymike]

Gerry, which bulb do you use for the SEC cluster? I've dragged my feet for years doing the conversion but my cluster really is pretty dim at night.

 

[speedy300dturbo]

Many of the T10 LED bulbs are too fat for the MB cluster. Also, you want a bulb that emits light all around, and also from the front. This ensures you get enough light going through the instrument cluster prisms and onto the gauge faces. These work well: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pc...EE-Chips-LED-Car-Lights-Auto/32960403720.html

 

[nocfn]

Uncle kents website has the warm and cool white bulbs for the cluster

 

[speedy300dturbo]

Uncle kents website has the warm and cool white bulbs for the cluster

Eh, you can get the same (or better) bulbs on eBay or AliExpress without the Uncle Kent markup.

 

[nocfn]

Agreed - just wanted you to know what to buy.