The Ford Barn

sandbug · 06-13-2014, 04:20 PM

My instrument panel bulb is very hot and bright! I converted to 12 volts negative, and got all the correct 12 volt bulbs. My instrument panel light bulb is too hot (very, very hot) and very bright. I even tried a 24 volt bulb, which brought down the brightness, but it too is hot. I saw something about an open ground. Could a ground somewhere be causing this? Right behind the bulb? How and where do I test?

Thanks!!!

Bob C · 06-13-2014, 07:31 PM

What is the number of the 12V bulb you are using?

Bob

colin1928 · 06-13-2014, 08:50 PM

Watts are what make a light brighter and hot
I use a 3 watt bulb there

Mike V. Florida · 06-13-2014, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin1928

Watts are what make a light brighter and hot
I use a 3 watt bulb there

Yea, you need a lower wattage bulb, or drive during the day.

roccaas · 06-14-2014, 04:18 AM

Does the bulb "silver over" after some usage? Too much Wattage, to little $$ spent on the bulb!

eagle · 06-14-2014, 09:34 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Simple solution. Bring the bulb to Napa and tell them you want the same base style with half the wattage... problem solved. The bulb number and possibly voltage/wattage should be stamped on the base of the bulb.

Purdy Swoft · 06-14-2014, 11:47 AM

You need the 3 candle power bulb, thats what I use in my 12 volt converted model A. Check out Snyders, Page A-157 part number A-13466-12 price eighty five cents

sandbug · 06-15-2014, 11:58 PM

The first trial was a Model A Ford Utility Light Replacement Bulb - 12 Volt - Single Contact - 2 Candle Power, from Macs, the 2nd was a 67-12V bulb 3 candle power from C&G Ford Parts, and the 3rd try is a #623 MINIATURE BULB BA15S BASE - 28.0 Volt .37 Amp 10.36 Watt. All too hot, first two very bright. I'm going to remove the instrument panel this week and take a look behind to see if something is happening.

Tom Wesenberg · 06-16-2014, 07:55 AM

I'm not sure what you are calling too hot, but incandescent bulbs put out a fair amount of heat, which the steel socket absorbs. The light shouldn't be too hot to comfortably touch it to turn it off.

abachman3 · 06-16-2014, 08:48 AM

The light is for momentary use only, as it does get hot. Do not attempt to turn it on and leave it on while driving as it does get quite hot.

OL JENNY · 06-16-2014, 09:30 AM

For those of us still using 6 volt systems, someone in an earlier post stated they put a 12 volt bulb in and the dimmer output allowed the light to emit a softer glow that could be left on for night driving. No help of course for 12 volt systems.

Purdy Swoft · 06-16-2014, 09:55 AM

Mine is the later style that mounts undre the dash rail with a toggle switch. I don't have any problems using the recommended 3 candle power bulbs with 6 or 12 volt. I can understand how the dash lamp cap on the earlier style would get hot. I only turn mine on when I need it. I don't like too much light in the cab at night , it gets distracting plus draws juice.

06-13-2014, 04:20 PM	#1
sandbug Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Glendale, California Posts: 10	Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot My instrument panel bulb is very hot and bright! I converted to 12 volts negative, and got all the correct 12 volt bulbs. My instrument panel light bulb is too hot (very, very hot) and very bright. I even tried a 24 volt bulb, which brought down the brightness, but it too is hot. I saw something about an open ground. Could a ground somewhere be causing this? Right behind the bulb? How and where do I test? Thanks!!!

06-13-2014, 07:31 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,763	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot What is the number of the 12V bulb you are using? Bob

06-13-2014, 08:50 PM	#3
colin1928 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australa Melbourne Posts: 878	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot Watts are what make a light brighter and hot I use a 3 watt bulb there

06-14-2014, 04:18 AM	#5
roccaas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,300	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot Does the bulb "silver over" after some usage? Too much Wattage, to little $$ spent on the bulb! __________________ 20 years ago we had Johnny Cash, Steve Jobs, and Bob Hope. Now we have no Cash, no Jobs, and no Hope...please don't let Kevin Bacon die!

06-14-2014, 11:47 AM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot You need the 3 candle power bulb, thats what I use in my 12 volt converted model A. Check out Snyders, Page A-157 part number A-13466-12 price eighty five cents

06-14-2014, 09:34 AM	#6
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,027	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Simple solution. Bring the bulb to Napa and tell them you want the same base style with half the wattage... problem solved. The bulb number and possibly voltage/wattage should be stamped on the base of the bulb.

06-15-2014, 11:58 PM	#8
sandbug Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Glendale, California Posts: 10	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot The first trial was a Model A Ford Utility Light Replacement Bulb - 12 Volt - Single Contact - 2 Candle Power, from Macs, the 2nd was a 67-12V bulb 3 candle power from C&G Ford Parts, and the 3rd try is a #623 MINIATURE BULB BA15S BASE - 28.0 Volt .37 Amp 10.36 Watt. All too hot, first two very bright. I'm going to remove the instrument panel this week and take a look behind to see if something is happening.

06-16-2014, 07:55 AM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot I'm not sure what you are calling too hot, but incandescent bulbs put out a fair amount of heat, which the steel socket absorbs. The light shouldn't be too hot to comfortably touch it to turn it off.

06-16-2014, 08:48 AM	#10
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot The light is for momentary use only, as it does get hot. Do not attempt to turn it on and leave it on while driving as it does get quite hot.

06-16-2014, 09:30 AM	#11
OL JENNY Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 223	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot For those of us still using 6 volt systems, someone in an earlier post stated they put a 12 volt bulb in and the dimmer output allowed the light to emit a softer glow that could be left on for night driving. No help of course for 12 volt systems.

06-16-2014, 09:55 AM	#12
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Instrument Panel Bulb Too Hot Mine is the later style that mounts undre the dash rail with a toggle switch. I don't have any problems using the recommended 3 candle power bulbs with 6 or 12 volt. I can understand how the dash lamp cap on the earlier style would get hot. I only turn mine on when I need it. I don't like too much light in the cab at night , it gets distracting plus draws juice.