LED light install on 2012 Buddy 170i
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:31 am
So I encountered something interesting tonight as I finally was able to spend time on the LED light installs.
As you can find in another of my posts, I had previously ordered a pair of amber LEDs for the front DOT lights, a pair of red LEDs for the rear turn signals, and a pair of white LEDs for the deadlights.
Realizing too late that I had ordered 1156 size for all 6 bulbs when in fact the DOTS require a different size bulb, I was resigned that initially I would only be able to swap out LEDs for 4 of the 6 bulbs (not the DOTs).
So tonight I decided to use the amber LEDs for the deadlights and the red LEDs for the rear turn signals. Either return the white ones or keep them on hand in case I want to have them in the deadlights for added visibility as they will undoubtedly be brighter.
The deadlight LED swap went without issue. Nice and bright, love it!
The issue I found was in the rear turn signal bulbs -- they are certainly 1156 style bulbs, and I certainly ordered and received 1156 style LEDs, but they won't quite fit.
Well, they fit. They're the right diameter, but when I insert them into the socket holes they're supposed to go into, they do, but they don't quite go far enough in to be turned a bit to be locked into place.
Unfortunately it would seem that the silvery plastic trim piece around the socket hole (I'll refer to it as the 'event horizon') is a bit squared and not tapered or recessed enough to allow the LED bulbs to go far enough in to be turned to lock them in place.
I can certainly push the bulbs all the way in, I can turn on the scooter and verify they work great, but without being able to turn the bulbs a bit in the socket holes and lock them in place, they won't remain inserted due to vibration, bumps, etc...
I'll either have to try another brand of LED bulb to see if, by chance, it might have a slightly longer stem or be a little less wide or more tapered where it needs to be, or I'll have to shave off a little of the Buddy's silvery plastic right around the 'event horizon' where the reflective part meets the socket hole the bulb gets inserted to.
I suspect I'll get a sharp blade a whittle away just enough of the silvery plastic at the 'event horizon' to create just enough clearance for the bulb to be able to seat fully and be turned in its socket to lock it in.
Has anyone else who did the LED swap experienced this?
As you can find in another of my posts, I had previously ordered a pair of amber LEDs for the front DOT lights, a pair of red LEDs for the rear turn signals, and a pair of white LEDs for the deadlights.
Realizing too late that I had ordered 1156 size for all 6 bulbs when in fact the DOTS require a different size bulb, I was resigned that initially I would only be able to swap out LEDs for 4 of the 6 bulbs (not the DOTs).
So tonight I decided to use the amber LEDs for the deadlights and the red LEDs for the rear turn signals. Either return the white ones or keep them on hand in case I want to have them in the deadlights for added visibility as they will undoubtedly be brighter.
The deadlight LED swap went without issue. Nice and bright, love it!
The issue I found was in the rear turn signal bulbs -- they are certainly 1156 style bulbs, and I certainly ordered and received 1156 style LEDs, but they won't quite fit.
Well, they fit. They're the right diameter, but when I insert them into the socket holes they're supposed to go into, they do, but they don't quite go far enough in to be turned a bit to be locked into place.
Unfortunately it would seem that the silvery plastic trim piece around the socket hole (I'll refer to it as the 'event horizon') is a bit squared and not tapered or recessed enough to allow the LED bulbs to go far enough in to be turned to lock them in place.
I can certainly push the bulbs all the way in, I can turn on the scooter and verify they work great, but without being able to turn the bulbs a bit in the socket holes and lock them in place, they won't remain inserted due to vibration, bumps, etc...
I'll either have to try another brand of LED bulb to see if, by chance, it might have a slightly longer stem or be a little less wide or more tapered where it needs to be, or I'll have to shave off a little of the Buddy's silvery plastic right around the 'event horizon' where the reflective part meets the socket hole the bulb gets inserted to.
I suspect I'll get a sharp blade a whittle away just enough of the silvery plastic at the 'event horizon' to create just enough clearance for the bulb to be able to seat fully and be turned in its socket to lock it in.
Has anyone else who did the LED swap experienced this?
