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> LED Gauge Bulbs on GEN light circuit
nolift914
post Oct 4 2024, 03:03 PM
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Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all on 914WORLD this place is amazing.

I had an issue with my alternator not charging and the GEN light on. I had recently restored my dash gauges after reinstalling them and repairing some of the questionable wiring done by a PO. As always, I turned to 914WORLD for help! I read a thread on issues with GEN lights and realized my issue may not be the Alt after all, I had just installed NEW LED gauge bulbs.

I switched the GEN light bulb back to the original Incandescent bulb and the ALT energized. problem solved.

Using LED bulb on the GEN light circuit can cause issues with your charging system.
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930cabman
post Oct 4 2024, 04:23 PM
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QUOTE(nolift914 @ Oct 4 2024, 03:03 PM) *

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all on 914WORLD this place is amazing.

I had an issue with my alternator not charging and the GEN light on. I had recently restored my dash gauges after reinstalling them and repairing some of the questionable wiring done by a PO. As always, I turned to 914WORLD for help! I read a thread on issues with GEN lights and realized my issue may not be the Alt after all, I had just installed NEW LED gauge bulbs.

I switched the GEN light bulb back to the original Incandescent bulb and the ALT energized. problem solved.

Using LED bulb on the GEN light circuit can cause issues with your charging system.


Correct, AFAIK it is the wattage of the bulb.
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porschetub
post Oct 5 2024, 02:15 PM
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QUOTE(930cabman @ Oct 5 2024, 10:23 AM) *

QUOTE(nolift914 @ Oct 4 2024, 03:03 PM) *

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all on 914WORLD this place is amazing.

I had an issue with my alternator not charging and the GEN light on. I had recently restored my dash gauges after reinstalling them and repairing some of the questionable wiring done by a PO. As always, I turned to 914WORLD for help! I read a thread on issues with GEN lights and realized my issue may not be the Alt after all, I had just installed NEW LED gauge bulbs.

I switched the GEN light bulb back to the original Incandescent bulb and the ALT energized. problem solved.

Using LED bulb on the GEN light circuit can cause issues with your charging system.


Correct, AFAIK it is the wattage of the bulb.

Think someone mentioned on here it was caused by the LED having a low current draw which isn't enough to "excite" the alternator ....could be wrong however ?.
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davep
post Oct 5 2024, 03:12 PM
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Well, yes, an LED draws in the 20mA range, so too low. BUT, an LED is a diode that passes current in only one direction and that is a BIG no no.
You must use the original incandescent bulb as the alternator light!
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bkrantz
post Oct 6 2024, 07:01 PM
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QUOTE(davep @ Oct 5 2024, 03:12 PM) *

Well, yes, an LED draws in the 20mA range, so too low. BUT, an LED is a diode that passes current in only one direction and that is a BIG no no.
You must use the original incandescent bulb as the alternator light!


Correct.

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.
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ClayPerrine
post Oct 7 2024, 08:43 AM
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QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 6 2024, 08:01 PM) *

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.



I can't say the same thing. I left the license plate lights as old incandescent bulbs. Makes it harder for the cops to read it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)
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emerygt350
post Oct 7 2024, 02:37 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Oct 7 2024, 08:43 AM) *

QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 6 2024, 08:01 PM) *

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.



I can't say the same thing. I left the license plate lights as old incandescent bulbs. Makes it harder for the cops to read it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Me too but just cause I was lazy. Everything but those, the gen and oil lights. I even got the rear trunk light I think.
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worn
post Oct 7 2024, 05:11 PM
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QUOTE(nolift914 @ Oct 4 2024, 02:03 PM) *

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all on 914WORLD this place is amazing.

I had an issue with my alternator not charging and the GEN light on. I had recently restored my dash gauges after reinstalling them and repairing some of the questionable wiring done by a PO. As always, I turned to 914WORLD for help! I read a thread on issues with GEN lights and realized my issue may not be the Alt after all, I had just installed NEW LED gauge bulbs.

I switched the GEN light bulb back to the original Incandescent bulb and the ALT energized. problem solved.

Using LED bulb on the GEN light circuit can cause issues with your charging system.

As I have in my notes you need a two watt bulb to bootstrap the alternator.
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worn
post Oct 7 2024, 05:12 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Oct 7 2024, 07:43 AM) *

QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 6 2024, 08:01 PM) *

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.



I can't say the same thing. I left the license plate lights as old incandescent bulbs. Makes it harder for the cops to read it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Oh, but surely they know who you are led or not!
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bkrantz
post Oct 7 2024, 07:12 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Oct 7 2024, 08:43 AM) *

QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 6 2024, 08:01 PM) *

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.



I can't say the same thing. I left the license plate lights as old incandescent bulbs. Makes it harder for the cops to read it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)


Just drive faster!
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emerygt350
post Oct 8 2024, 06:39 AM
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QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 7 2024, 07:12 PM) *

QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Oct 7 2024, 08:43 AM) *

QUOTE(bkrantz @ Oct 6 2024, 08:01 PM) *

The gen light is the only non-LED bulb in my car.



I can't say the same thing. I left the license plate lights as old incandescent bulbs. Makes it harder for the cops to read it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)


Just drive faster!

On my old Opel GT I could turn all the running lights off and keep the headlights on...
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