Clock Lights Dim

[Middy2000]

I'm not sure if I'm imaging it or not but the lights on my clocks now appear quite dim.  Same for the odometer display. 


She doesn't get used in the dark during the summer so it's not like I've noticed it before.  Given I only bought the bike in Feb and used it rarely in the dark there's a good chance they've always been like it.


Does anybody else think that the display is on the dim side?

[BBROWN1664]

Have you tried changing the bulbs?

[fazersharp]

Have you got your dark visor on. I actually did this in the daylight once and thought my neutral and turn signal clock lights were a bit dim. :rollin 

[Middy2000]

I've not changed the bulbs no as it's universal across all the bulbs.  They're all working.


I've a clear visor for winter Fazersharp....I'm a good boy like that. 

[darrsi]

Do you really want the clock glaring at you in the dark?

[unfazed]

Might be dust in the inside of the glass, easy enough to take off the clock cover and clean it.

[Trebus]

The little capless bulbs do tend to go a bit black inside over time and not a huge job to replace all of them. Probably some LED versions available too.

[F4celess]

As above. They can get a build-up on the outside of the glass over time, which will reduce the light intensity.

Would be worth opening the Clock unit and checking all bulbs are lit on the insude, with none blown.
Replacing them for LED alternatives might be something to consider.

[Middy2000]

They're not blown, just a bit dim.  It could be that they've blackened a bit but given that's it universally dim across both dials I'm more inclined to think that that's just how it is.


If I can be bothered I'll pull them out to look and consider replacing them, if not I'll just put up with it.  It's not exactly mission critical.

[fazersharp]

They're not blown, just a bit dim.  It could be that they've blackened a bit but given that's it universally dim across both dials I'm more inclined to think that that's just how it is.


If I can be bothered I'll pull them out to look and consider replacing them, if not I'll just put up with it.  It's not exactly mission critical.

It has actually got me thinking because in the car I can control the clocks brightness,yet given that I am in the cars shell I don't really need to alter anything but on a bike you a are subject to the surrounding ambient light.Surly it would not be too difficult to implement a lux controlled clock lighting regime on a bike       

[darrsi]

[quote author=Middy2000 link=topic=25697.msg303941#msg303941 date=1572085558]
They're not blown, just a bit dim.  It could be that they've blackened a bit but given that's it universally dim across both dials I'm more inclined to think that that's just how it is.


If I can be bothered I'll pull them out to look and consider replacing them, if not I'll just put up with it.  It's not exactly mission critical.

It has actually got me thinking because in the car I can control the clocks brightness,yet given that I am in the cars shell I don't really need to alter anything but on a bike you a are subject to the surrounding ambient light.Surly it would not be too difficult to implement a lux controlled clock lighting regime on a bike     
[/quote]

[fazersharp]

[quote author=fazersharp link=topic=25697.msg303976#msg303976 date=1572132691]
[quote author=Middy2000 link=topic=25697.msg303941#msg303941 date=1572085558]
They're not blown, just a bit dim.  It could be that they've blackened a bit but given that's it universally dim across both dials I'm more inclined to think that that's just how it is.


If I can be bothered I'll pull them out to look and consider replacing them, if not I'll just put up with it.  It's not exactly mission critical.

It has actually got me thinking because in the car I can control the clocks brightness,yet given that I am in the cars shell I don't really need to alter anything but on a bike you a are subject to the surrounding ambient light.Surly it would not be too difficult to implement a lux controlled clock lighting regime on a bike     
[/quote]





[/quote] :thumbup :rollin :rollin :rollin

[bridgeman]

The clocks are dim    I fitted a set of blue leds  I got from ebay .  nice and bright now just right .

[Middy2000]

The clocks are dim    I fitted a set of blue leds  I got from ebay .  nice and bright now just right .

I reckon I might just do that.  After I install the gear indicator I've had for a month staring at me on the workbench.  I keep going for that imaginary 7th gear.

[fazersharp]

Someone on here swapped their clock bulbs for LED ones and one after another they failed. Not sure what the story is but maybe they were cheap Chinese from ebay. Probably LEDs are all Chinese but - you get the idea. 

[Jamieg285]

Someone on here swapped their clock bulbs for LED ones and one after another they failed. Not sure what the story is but maybe they were cheap Chinese from ebay. Probably LEDs are all Chinese but - you get the idea.

That happened to me, but I persisted, trying different bulb types and eventually found some that haven't given up the ghost and are still working now.  If I remember rightly, they were ones that use SMB LEDs.

[fazerfan]

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Photos of my recent bulb update. Examples (top to bottom) of clear, original, incandescent bulb and a similar faded one. Both originals worked but half the display was almost unlit. And one of the LED replacements I've used. If you use LEDs remember they must be installed the correct way round or they won't work (but won't be damaged). Simply turn it round. I've left the oil warning light as incandescent as I'll be unsure its the correct way round until disaster occurs. And don't remove all the Haynes manual suggests so leave mirrors, fairing etc in place. Remove the visor then undo the three instrument cluster retaining nuts and washers. Hope this helps..

[His Dudeness]

When you press the start button the oil warning light is grounded through the cut off relay so the oil light should come on. It's a bulb test. You could use that to check that the oil light led is in correctly. If you turn the kill switch off you can hold the start button in and the light will come on without the engine starting.

[fazerfan]

Excellent feedback. Thanks for that.  If anyone is tempted to replace all the bulbs there are 9.

[fazersharp]

When you press the start button the oil warning light is grounded through the cut off relay so the oil light should come on. It's a bulb test. You could use that to check that the oil light led is in correctly. If you turn the kill switch off you can hold the start button in and the light will come on without the engine starting.

I am pretty sure that my mk 1 does not do that ( have had the bulb briefly come on) after exiting a particularly nice roundabout so I know it works. But an egg cup full of oil to top up sorted that.