The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Cracked High Beam Indicator Lens

Hey guys,
I was in the process of rebuilding my speedometer (refacing, really) when I noticed that my high beam indicator lens looks melted and cracked. Here's a view from the back. When I pulled out the bulb I realized the reason that the high beam light still shone red when it was in the truck was because the previous owner had covered it in some kind of red celophane wrap. I suppose I could keep that and just keep wrapping bulbs as they burn out, but I don't really like that "fix." Has anyone else ever had to fix or replace this lens or does anyone have any ideas? How does one of these things warp like that?
Thanks in advance guys,
-Alan W.

You can get a 6v red led that will fit the socket from these guys. Then it'll be red no matter what the condition of the lens is. The LED end of the bulb may be too long to fit (mine was). I just ground the end down (the LED is set in resin to form the "bulb") until it fits. Be careful not to go too deep. I destroyed my first bulb by grinding too deep & getting into the LED. They are fairly cheap so buy two in case you do ruin one of them. If you don't you'll have a spare.

Thanks Tiny. Do you mean the:
"BA9s-R Red LED bulb
Red LED replacement bulb
9mm single contact Bayonet base
Available for 6,12,28 or 48 Volt AC/DC operation
$ 0.98"?
I suppose if I can't find a way to fix the lens, I'll go with this. I'd really perfer to fix the lens though, I like the original dim incandescent bulbs better than the modern LEDs (I'm 18 years old now, so not being able to see dim bulbs isn't yet an issue ).
Does anyone know of a clear glue or epoxy that could be dyed red, or if that would work?
Thanks again Tiny, if I can't fix it that sounds like the best solution.
-Alan W.

You can find the thin plastic film in both red and green. Someone sent me a small piece of each and I am not certain what the original application was but I know we discussed colored presentation folders and such from an office supply store before mine magically appeared in the mailbox.

Check out a craft store ....something like Hobby Lobby. Usually you can find a pretty good sheet of color acetate for cheap and cut your own circles.

Yep, that would be the one. I've discovered that single LEDs aren't any brighter than their incandescent brethren. I bought several of their white LEDs with the intention of making my dash easier to see at night but the BA9 LEDs weren't any brighter.

Hobby Lobby does carry colored acetate in several colors. You'll find it in the same area as the hobby knives and resin casting supplies, usally the nest aisle over from the model cars. You may need to double up the sheets to get the color right, though. Another option would be to use regular clear sheet plastic, then paint it with a transparent model paint. That would allow you to control the color a bit better. I did that to make new turn signal indicator lenses. I did change the color from green to blus in my case, though.

I bought a child's purse at a dollar store. It was heavy clear plastic with poka dots, including red ones. I cut a small piece out and used that. I believe the original color was an orange-red.

It looks a like a Tiddly Wink might even work.

Hey, sorry I haven't had a chance to wrap this up until now. I appreciate all the advice. I couln't find a Hobby Lobby in my area, just your average hobby store. All they had was what Longbox55 was talking about, clear plastic sheet and transparent red paint. So I cut out a circle (it took a few tries to cut out a circle, not a squarish chunk) and painted it untill I thought it was tinted dark enough. Put it in with a little school glue and it looks factory original enough for me .
Thanks guys,
-Alan