Capt.Lee

I am rewiring my 66 vette and read in the forum that it would be good to replace my 1816 bulbs with 1817 bulbs. I cannot find anyone that has the bulb # 1817 Napa only list the stock 1816 bulb. Can anyone help with this one.

Black_Magic

Here is info on brighter bulbs ===> Click Here

Note: They will draw more amp's --- I had previously upgraded to 100 amp alternator so I did not have any problems.

George

Capt.Lee

Thanks so much the picture of the bulbs and back of cluster will help alot. If my alt. is not 100amp will it hurt to use the 1817 bulbs?

magicv8

no - changing all the dash bullbs only adds about an amp to the load

LB66383

You may have to change fuses. The instrument panel fuse is only 4 amps.

Capt.Lee

Thanks again!!

62Jeff

If you have factory A/C, your panel lamp circuit is taxed by an additional 0.66 amps for 2 more panel lamps around the clock area. In any event, watch out for blown fuses when you upgrade the bulbs.

Capt.Lee

No AC Thanks 62 jeff. PS this is a great forum, glad I found it.

'67 Mann

Well after pulling out my glove box, console side panels, to get to my
dead heater core I thought it would be a good time to clean up the
clock. Two clips, two bulb sockets, and a power lead and it was out.
Saw this posting on using 1817 bulbs instead of the stock 1816's and
started to look for them. Only able to find 1816 at the third auto store
I visited, and none on the web.

Where did you fiind the 1817's ??

Thanks

Bluestripe67

I got my 1817 bulbs from Atlanta Light Bulb Co. 888-988-2892 and on the internet Atlantalightbulb.com $35-40 for what you need. Dennis

Hitch

Yep that's where I got mine from.. Works good and last a long time!! The difference is grand.. I can actually see my gauges at night..

65 vette dude

I only changed out the 1816 bulbs that light the cluster instruments. I didn't change out the 1816's that were in the turn signals or over by the clock. Make sure you buy one or two extra just in case you get a factory defect......and bench test all the 1817 bulbs before you install them......I used a 9v battery.

'67 Mann

Thanks Guys !

Will call and order today....

I haven't said this in a while but this is the best forum... makes
working/restoring an old 'vette enjoyable verses frustration.

Thanks again !

Thomas66

How would the 1893 bulb work?

Avispa

1893s are only 2 candlepower. Those, in fact are the original spec. instrument bulbs. 1816s are 3 cp and were specified for the clock and the radio lamp. 1817s are 4cp. Atlanta light bulb is the ONLY place I can find that sells 1817s.

If you don't want to go the 1817 route, you can substitute 1414s, which are also 4 cp and last a whole lot longer than the 1817s. Plus you can order these from a bunch of on line stores (www.bulbtown.com).

Funny to see this post today. Last night I tore my l cluster apart to clean out 12 years of accumulated film on the inside of the gauge glass, and replace some of the older, darkened 1816s with a couple of 1414s and a couple of judiciously placed 1416s (these are 6 cp) so the top of the fuel and temp gauges are just as brightly lit as everything else in the cluster. The 1416s in the clock are the bomb. You can actually see it even with tired old half blind eyes like I have. I'm running a 10 amp fuse in the instrument lamp circuit. No problems whatsoever.

Unless you insisted on putting in a boom box stereo, or you have 100 watt headlights, a stock alternator is plenty.