Slantsixdan
Well-Known Member
Okeh, finally I got all the ducks in a row and shot 'em. By "ducks" I mean the 100-per-cent solution to the unavailability of № 1095 bulbs for '69-'70 Charger inner taillights (and various other Mopar applications):
As you can see, it's an adapter to use a type W5W or № 168 bulb, the all-glass peanut type. These bulbs put out the same amount of light/draw the same amount of current as the 1095, the adapter holds the glass bulb firmly, and — most importantly — it puts the filament exactly where the 1095 filament would be, relative to the reflector and lens, so the lamp works correctly: the whole thing lights up evenly and at the correct level (if you get this distance wrong, such as by using a № 67 or 97 bulb, you get a little central dot of light but the reflector doesn't "see" the filament properly, so it doesn't light up evenly). The adapter is sturdily constructed, and has a nickel-plated base so it won't corrode and seize into the socket.
The peanut bulbs will be available practically forever. W5Ws are widely available (Sylvania № 2825 , Philips № 12961 , etc), and they are the preferred bulb type, because the filament configuration is same as the № 1095. But a № 168 will fit and work about as well, too. And if you want to play around with brighter tail lights, you can use a № 3652 — same 5-watt power and filament shape as a W5W, but 75 lumens instead of 50.
This is not a commercial thing I'm going to retire on or do in large volume or anything like that, I've got about 10 sets and it was a labour of love; solving stupid old problems (like "can't get the right bulb any more") scratches an itch. Send me a PM if you want a pair.
As you can see, it's an adapter to use a type W5W or № 168 bulb, the all-glass peanut type. These bulbs put out the same amount of light/draw the same amount of current as the 1095, the adapter holds the glass bulb firmly, and — most importantly — it puts the filament exactly where the 1095 filament would be, relative to the reflector and lens, so the lamp works correctly: the whole thing lights up evenly and at the correct level (if you get this distance wrong, such as by using a № 67 or 97 bulb, you get a little central dot of light but the reflector doesn't "see" the filament properly, so it doesn't light up evenly). The adapter is sturdily constructed, and has a nickel-plated base so it won't corrode and seize into the socket.
The peanut bulbs will be available practically forever. W5Ws are widely available (Sylvania № 2825 , Philips № 12961 , etc), and they are the preferred bulb type, because the filament configuration is same as the № 1095. But a № 168 will fit and work about as well, too. And if you want to play around with brighter tail lights, you can use a № 3652 — same 5-watt power and filament shape as a W5W, but 75 lumens instead of 50.
This is not a commercial thing I'm going to retire on or do in large volume or anything like that, I've got about 10 sets and it was a labour of love; solving stupid old problems (like "can't get the right bulb any more") scratches an itch. Send me a PM if you want a pair.
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