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  #1  
Old 01-05-2005, 08:35 PM
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Location: Allentown, PA
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94 e320 - W124 - Light Bulbs

I wish my only concerns were something as minor as interior light bulbs, but sometimes you want to have a sense of accompolishment by fixing something for only a few dollars. And when you're first Benz has 99,ooo miles you are curious if these things should be illuminated and if so, how.

In a previous post someone mentioned that only frosted 1.2 watt (Sylvania 2721) bulbs should be used to illuminate the icons surrounding the headlight dial (low heat output so as not to destort the icons). Although most of the walk-in auto parts stores have an id tag for them, they're all empty and the counter people tell me they're NOT frosted. And the local MB parts guy hasn't seen the mini "frosted" bulbs in ages. And the Sylvania web site specifies 2721.

So, what is an acceptable bulb for the headlight icons?
and
Is the combo turn signal wiper stalk supposed to be illuminated?
and
If so, how is the bulb accessed and what one could be used?
and
Is the speed (cruise) control stalk supposed to be illuminated?
and
If so, how is the bulb accessed and what one could be used?
and
What bulb could be used for the dash vents?
and
What bulb(s) are used in the oem Becker 1692 radio and how do I open it up to change the bulb(s)? LaJolle's rehab service is a little too pricey for me.

Bob
PS Yes I know how to R&R the bulbs in the climate control thanks to the posts.
and
NO, my wife won't lay on the hood while cruzin to make sure the headlight wiper/washers work. But she will start the last bolt/nut (wadda a woman) that I can't when I'm ready to make the eBay 4-sale post.

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  #2  
Old 01-05-2005, 09:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Weir

what is an acceptable bulb for the headlight icons? Sylvania 2721

Is the combo turn signal wiper stalk supposed to be illuminated? No

Is the speed (cruise) control stalk supposed to be illuminated? No

What bulb could be used for the dash vents? Sylvania 2721


What bulb(s) are used in the oem Becker 1692 radio...? It’s been a while since I've opened the radio, but I am almost 100% sure that they use LED’s not incandescent bulbs. That’s not to say you can’t change them, buy you'll need a good electronics supplier to provide you with equivalent LED’s. Then its just a matter of soldering.

Forget about the frosted bulbs. OE bulbs were frosted, but they can’t be readily obtained anymore - if they haven’t been totally discontinued. There is no advantage to them...they don’t run any cooler as they are still 1.2 watts. The "frosting" does cut down light out put obviously. If you do a search under my name you'll find I just dealt with this issue. Bottom line, just go to pep boys or whoever and buy all the 2721's you can find. They are EXACTLY what you need.


BTW, along the same lines as the radio lights, I did change the bulb behind the external thermometer. I just so happened to have a spare cluster around that I was able to open up and de-solder the bulb. It is incandescent and probably in the 1 watt range; similar to the Sylvania 2721 but a bit smaller in size. There is of course no socket; you have to solder it directly into the circuit board.
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  #3  
Old 01-05-2005, 11:24 PM
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AtlBenz
Thanks for the specific answers to my questions.
Bob
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  #4  
Old 05-17-2006, 12:32 AM
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I'm going to quickly hijack this thread. I need to replace one of the vent wheel bulbs in my car, but I was wondering if it was possible to update the interior lighting.

I know the dash and vent wheels are all 2721's, but they give off a yellow-white glow, and the window switches by the shift lever are all yellow LED's. Compared to the blue lights from the console of the new Honda Fit that's in the driveway, it looks quite dated.

So, I was wondering about updating the interior lighting to blue-white LED's and bulbs. There's supposedly drop in replacements for the 2721's here:

http://superlumination.com/74.htm

Has anyone tried them, and are there any adverse effects to the electrical system? How about replacing the yellow LED's in the window and other console switches, has anyone tried that?
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  #5  
Old 05-17-2006, 07:46 AM
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I think if they're the same or lower wattage, you'll be ok. On threads in other car forums, I've read of higher (than original spec) wattage bulbs adversly affecting the surrounding materials.
Bob
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  #6  
Old 05-17-2006, 11:09 AM
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That's what I thought too... as long as the current drop and voltage requirements of the LED's are the same as the 2721 bulbs, the car's electrical (and electronic) components shouldn't be affected.

I just don't want to go upgrading to LED's, and then end up frying some expensive piece of electronics, that's all.
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  #7  
Old 05-17-2006, 06:01 PM
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One last question - never having pulled my instrument cluster & console before, I don't know how many LED's I need.

How many 2721's are there in the dash and console of a W124?
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  #8  
Old 05-18-2006, 04:32 PM
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There are 8 in the instrument cluster of my 1987 300E, plus 3 of the 3W bulbs. Don't know about the console.
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  #9  
Old 05-18-2006, 06:02 PM
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Do you have a part number for the 3W bulbs?
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  #10  
Old 05-18-2006, 10:10 PM
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Here's a whole list. http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=148837
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  #11  
Old 05-19-2006, 09:17 AM
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Steven, I think the W3 bulbs are Sylvania/Osram#2821.

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