Author Topic: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement  (Read 1612 times)

jzearfoss

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, MT, Libby
  • Posts: 40
Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« on: April 10, 2021, 22:40:53 »
The small light bulbs that illuminate the heater control levers have burned out in my 280 SL.  They are identified as Dr. Fischer 12V 2W.  Anyone know where I can get replacements?  Would like to go to LED's if at all possible.
1968 280 SL (AT)
2000 BMW Z3
1962 Pontiac Grand Prix
1951 Studebaker Commander
1937 Plymouth.

Charles 230SL

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, GA, Griffin
  • Posts: 655
  • 64 230SL
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2021, 00:40:46 »
I just bought one of these for my heater control levers: https://www.authenticclassics.com/Bulb-2W-12V-Small-Diameter-Ba7s-p/auth-003912.htm. Not an LED though....

hansr433

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Italy, Tuscany, Torrita di Siena
  • Posts: 219
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2021, 12:10:04 »
Google "Ba7s LED".  Lots of choices.
Hans
1963 220SE Cabrio (Exterior: Navy MB 332, Top: Haarz Navy, Interior: 482P Sahara Beige)
1963 BMW R69S

jzearfoss

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, MT, Libby
  • Posts: 40
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2021, 16:12:17 »
Thanks for the tips. Will finally get to put the dash back together.
1968 280 SL (AT)
2000 BMW Z3
1962 Pontiac Grand Prix
1951 Studebaker Commander
1937 Plymouth.

stickandrudderman

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Richmond
  • Posts: 2815
    • http://www.colinferns.com
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2021, 19:00:31 »
General consensus is that standard bulbs dissipate the light better in the heater controls.

jzearfoss

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, MT, Libby
  • Posts: 40
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2021, 17:53:18 »
I plan to get a set of each and bench test to see which one I prefer.
1968 280 SL (AT)
2000 BMW Z3
1962 Pontiac Grand Prix
1951 Studebaker Commander
1937 Plymouth.

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4119
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2021, 03:45:54 »
Be sure to post your results, we would all be interested to learn from your specific experience.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4710
Re: Heater Control Lever Light Bulb Replacement
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2021, 18:05:51 »
I plan to get a set of each and bench test to see which one I prefer.
When you "bench test" make sure you put the assembly in a box to mimic the actual location. What you see inside a dark car is light scattered through the colored plastic disks.
If you only look at the lit bulbs to compare them you might be fooled.

Also as JA17 pointed out "The bulbs in the heater controls are designed to be changed with heater controls in-place."
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21714
NOTE:
New LED options are now available since we had those discussions. The Ba7s sold by Superbrightleds.com put out only 5 lumen. You can buy newer ones with 50 lumen now:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G9Z92TY/
 or even 200 Lumen !!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G8HRDJ1/
Of course, we must have faith in the correctness of these numbers  ;) and especially the dimensions.  :D

« Last Edit: April 13, 2021, 19:03:04 by 66andBlue »
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)