Instrument Lighting

[Gibson]

Hello to all, I have 94 R100R Mystic. Does anyone know if there is a way to make the instrument back lighting a bit brighter? I find the trip odometer area quite dark. Tach lighting is quite dim as well.

[jagarra]

You could contact Katdash to see if they make a LED solution for you http://katdash.com/

[Rob Frankham]

I'm not sure of the bulbs used in the R100R/Mystic but certainly you can get LED replacements for most bulb types now and these are immediately substantially brighter than the equivalent size of filament bulb... simply a plug in replacement.

Rob

[Seth]

You could contact Katdash to see if they make a LED solution for you http://katdash.com/

The GS instrument bulb is the same as the Mystic
https://katdash.com/1991-95-gs-r/

You can buy the bulb individually if you don’t want to update the others
https://katdash.com/order-parts/

I updated the main gauge cluster lights on an R90S using their plastic circuit. It was somewhat of an improvement, but I was hoping for a little more. The LEDs are soldered to the plastic circuit board. Didn’t do the clock/voltmeter, but I should have. Maybe later.

The picture of the GS gauge looks pretty good.
You could cross reference the base of the stock bulb. Not sure what base it is. Maybe a BA9S, but since the stock bulb glass is no larger than the base, you’ll have to be careful with the total width of the LED. Also, the direction of the LED elements. Might just be worth getting the ones from Kat.

[Rob Frankham]

Don't know about in the US, but in the UK you can source LED 'bulbs' for this application very cheaply on Amazon, Ebay etc. I'm looking at a random advert on Amazon which supplies 10 bulbs for £8.79 (say $10.00). Look around, you'll probably find them cheaper.... you can even choose between 'Warm White' and 'Cool White' or get filters to colour your instrument lights if you choose. None of my bikes use that bulb base (BA9s) but I've been using the wedge based equivalents (W5W) for some time.

Rob

[Seth]

According to this site:
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumb ... 63576.html
The BMW bulb in the Mystic gauge does use a BA9S base.
Most of the BA9S LED lamps I've seen have the elements around the perimeter and one on the top.
Superbrightleds has one with 4 elements on the top that emits 15 lumens (according to their specs).
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... r-bulbs/6/
and another tower lamp with 5 elements that emits 90 lumens
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -car/2077/

The one from Kat has 7 elements on the top only. Not sure how many lumens.

Since I've never used either in mine, I can't tell you which one reflects the light in the gauge the best, or which produces the most lumens.

I'd like to hear what you've decided on and how satisfied you are with the results.
Thx.

[Rob Frankham]

FWIW, the LEDS I've used are single element units which produce more than adequate light. I've been able to source them in Wedge, mini wedge and BA7 sizes. Never used them in BA9s size but I've seen them on the internet.

Rob

[Gibson]

Thanks to all, lots of good advice. I will look into LEDs. Hey Seth, do you have this with your Mystic too? I have not looked into it yet, but the top of the instruments appear to be where most of the lighting is.

[Seth]

No, I haven’t changed the lighting on my Mystic other than painting the inside of the high beam indicator lens because I found it to be too bright.

I did build a digital voltmeter which is mounted on the handlebars between the mounting clamps after I had charging problems, as we discussed before.

And I did put Kat’s LED gauge lighting in an R90S that belongs to a friend.

The only other mod I’ve done to my Mystic is a custom seat