Interior courtesy light - LED replacement?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Anyone know what type of bulb the interior courtesy light is, and whether there's a suitable LED alternative?

Also, how do you remove the cover - does it just prise of with a screwdriver?

[Ribol]

It is an old Ford lamp with a 207 bulb in it, just pulls down.

The replacemnt LED bulbs would be pointing the wrong way though (sideways) so doubt it would work too well.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Thanks - yes, I just tried and it pulled down with my fingers. The bulb says "282", but I'll do a search for "207" as well. As you say, it'll need to be one with the LEDs mounted sideways. Ta!

Edited to add: I'm confused! The 207 looks correct, except that the bulb I've pulled out clearly says "12V 10W" on it, whereas a 207 is 5W.

Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 27th January 18:01

[Ribol]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Thanks - yes, I just tried and it pulled down with my fingers. The bulb says "282", but I'll do a search for "207" as well. As you say, it'll need to be one with the LEDs mounted sideways. Ta!

IIRC a 282 is a small bulb used in clocks etc

[Ribol]

If it is 10w then it is a 245, the one that usually ends up melting the plastic lamp

[MADMAX2]

had my interior light LED now for 18 months not at home at moment will take picture tomorrow its so much brighter than standard bulb east to fit

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Well, I've found this, which would give a good light spread if it's the right size.

[MADMAX2]

LED unit in my interior light awesome effect lights whole car up in dark

[Pupp]

MADMAX2][/IMG said:

LED unit in my interior light awesome effect lights whole car up in dark

Which is, and came from where....?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I've taken a punt on the one I linked to. I figure that if it will physically fit then it'll work - its bound to draw less current than a conventional bulb anyway, so no worries there. I'll post an update when it arrives!

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Received it today. It's the right size, although I've had to swap wires around to get it to work - being an LED of course, the polarity matters. I swapped the switched feed and the ground, so it works when the doors open but you can't force it to stay on. I'll keep thinking about how I can rewire it to make it fully functional. Any ideas? Mind you, disabling the always-on function may not be such a bad idea anyway...

It casts a good all-round light, and is about the same brightness as the conventional bulb, but whiter.

The main advantage will be if it ever stays on for some reason, it'll drain the battery much more slowly.