Instrument Light Push-In Bulb Holders ?

[rfs1957]

I've ordered a new Autosparks loom, having decided that I was spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar, and know that there will be an issue with my instrument lighting.

My push-in bulb holders (not to be confused with the toothed claw-type) for instrument illumination had all been converted or messed around with and were no longer of the single spade-type, whereas the dash wiring loom comes with the red/white daisy-chain of 1/4" spade connectors,



so I need to source these :





Now, I can see suppliers of "Lucas SPB992" like the one shown below,



which would work if they were the right diameter, albeit the earth spade is redundant - but I suspect that these are only 10mm in diameter, as I can see apparently identical ones on the Autosparks harness destined for the 3 lower switch-strip illumination lights, seen here :



The push-in ones for the instruments themselves need to be more like 12mm / or half-inch.



Has anyone else had this issue and managed to overcome it, please ?

PS I'm half-hoping for an avalanche of LED advocates who can solve everything !!!

[MarekH]

What was wrong with the old bulb holders? If you aren't reusing the old loom, then all you need to do is snip them off and attach male Lucar spades to the pigtails. To use the smaller (new) holders, you'd have to fab up a sleeve for each. Earthing is via the chassis.

For LEDs, you need much stronger illumination for the two big gauges than for the five smaller ones.

kind regards
Marek

[rfs1957]

The old bulb holders are a bit tatty.

I'd like to replace them, obviously without having to adapt SPB992.

Hence the question.

[gtjoey]

Use the TADDY old holder that are made of better material.
The repro are CHEAP CHINA TIN.......
They will actually crush and warp with too much pressure from your fingers.
USE THE ORIGINAL HOLDERS......
P.S. Ive used Autospark as they are one of the last suppliers left for a harness.
Ive bought MANY , Their quality has slipped as well, double check ALL your solder connectors, on the last Etype rebuild over 5 of them fell off!
USE AS MANY ORIGINAL PARTS AS POSSIBLE, IT WILL SAVE YOU MANY DAYS OF HEART ACHE AND PAIN.
GTJOEY1314

[chrisfell]

If you are going to do any adjustments, try and fit sleeves to the live connectors. I had one fitting drop out of an instrument (Speedo I think), and it shorted onto the chassis or an earthed connector, removing all rear and front side lights. It only shorted after I had turned the lights on to drive in the dark.

[david muir]

I had same problem of poor bulb holders on new loom for a MK1 Mini.

Re LEDS- Gil at Bettercarlighting has a complete LED 'kit' for instruments on an E (green or blue).