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Posted by: Rusty Aug 2 2023, 09:25 AM
Two quick questions for the hive mind...
1. The trunk/engine compartment bulb is a bitty thing... doesn't throw out much light. On the offchance I ever *need* that light, I'm going to want as much light as I can get. My raintray is still in place, so I don't anticipate brighter being a distraction at night.
The item in question is:
Porsche 900.631.103.90 (12v, 4w)
Sylvania 3893
OSRAM N177172
Can anyone recommend a brighter option that won't damage the small housing?
2. What kind of protective film are all the cool kids using for turn-signal lenses and headlights? These things aren't getting any cheaper and if I'm going to replace the turn signal lenses with NOS units, I'd like them to last.
Thanks,
Rusty
Posted by: mepstein Aug 2 2023, 10:05 AM
Just carry a good led light in your glove compartment. No matter what bulb you use in the trunk light, it’s not going to shine on the area you need.
Posted by: Rusty Aug 2 2023, 11:13 AM
Just carry a good led light in your glove compartment. No matter what bulb you use in the trunk light, it’s not going to shine on the area you need.
I'll do some research on these mythical flashlight thingies... but that wasn't the question.
Posted by: 87m491 Aug 2 2023, 11:45 AM
Not terribly difficult, this or similar.
Two quick questions for the hive mind...
1. The trunk/engine compartment bulb is a bitty thing... doesn't throw out much light. On the offchance I ever *need* that light, I'm going to want as much light as I can get. My raintray is still in place, so I don't anticipate brighter being a distraction at night.
The item in question is:
Porsche 900.631.103.90 (12v, 4w)
Sylvania 3893
OSRAM N177172
Can anyone recommend a brighter option that won't damage the small housing?
2. What kind of protective film are all the cool kids using for turn-signal lenses and headlights? These things aren't getting any cheaper and if I'm going to replace the turn signal lenses with NOS units, I'd like them to last.
Thanks,
Rusty
Posted by: euro911 Aug 2 2023, 12:01 PM
Have you thought about running a strip of self-adhesive LEDs somewhere across the inside of the trunk lid? ... (and tie the wires into the stock trunk light's wiring?)
I did this in my Vanagon so I'd have plenty of light if I needed to work in the engine bay at night ...
Posted by: JmuRiz Aug 2 2023, 01:11 PM
2. What kind of protective film are all the cool kids using for turn-signal lenses and headlights? These things aren't getting any cheaper and if I'm going to replace the turn signal lenses with NOS units, I'd like them to last.
XPel stuff is good for this. I've had it suggested to me for many applications by Larry at AmmoNYC
Posted by: eric9144 Aug 2 2023, 01:53 PM
Replaced mine with one of these, bonus is low draw and low heat generation--pick the spectrum of color you want out of it and probably never have to replace it again.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/catalog/product/view/id/204234/?find=1974-porsche-914-trunk-light-bulb-base-6959503
They have a bulb finder feature on that site and I had great luck with it 
Posted by: porschetub Aug 2 2023, 03:41 PM
Have you thought about running a strip of self-adhesive LEDs somewhere across the inside of the trunk lid? ... (and tie the wires into the stock trunk light's wiring?)
I did this in my Vanagon so I'd have plenty of light if I needed to work in the engine bay at night ...
great idea,you could just solder the tails of the led strip on to the original light so you retain switching function ,should work great as no led lamp in the light will ever be that great .Thinking I will do it on my car .
Posted by: euro911 Aug 2 2023, 07:04 PM
https://www.superbrightleds.com/catalog/product/view/id/204234/?find=1974-porsche-914-trunk-light-bulb-base-6959503
They have a bulb finder feature on that site and I had great luck with it :beer2
The BA9 bulbs won't fit the 914's OEM trunk light fixture:
They take the Festoon type of bulb:
There IS an LED replacement for the festoon bulbs:
I have the LED Festoons in my Vanagon Westy and they're very bright. However, the 914's trunk light fixture has a really small lens, so even with the LED bulb, it won't illuminate the trunk very much
Posted by: Rusty Aug 2 2023, 08:25 PM
XPel stuff is good for this. I've had it suggested to me for many applications by Larry at AmmoNYC
Thanks. I'll check them out. I used Lamin-X on my F150 headlights. It was very pricey and difficult to work with on compound curves.
Replaced mine with one of these, bonus is low draw and low heat generation--pick the spectrum of color you want out of it and probably never have to replace it again.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/catalog/product/view/id/204234/?find=1974-porsche-914-trunk-light-bulb-base-6959503
They have a bulb finder feature on that site and I had great luck with it
I appreciate that, sir. Thank you for the recommendation. I saw similar bulbs on eBay, but trust the experience around here over some random Chinesium salesman.
Have you thought about running a strip of self-adhesive LEDs somewhere across the inside of the trunk lid? ... (and tie the wires into the stock trunk light's wiring?)
I did this in my Vanagon so I'd have plenty of light if I needed to work in the engine bay at night ...
I think that's a really neat idea. I could see that working for the engine bay. Not sure about the rear trunk. My wiring harness has... ummm... challenges from previous owners and years of neglect and overspray. I try to keep electical alterations to a minimum for my car.
Posted by: Rusty Aug 2 2023, 08:29 PM
The BA9 bulbs won't fit the 914's OEM trunk light fixture:
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=7300
My 1973 trunk light fixture uses a bulb like eric recommends. Could there be multiple type fixtures out there?
Years ago at a swap meet, I picked up a bag of OSRAM 6418 bulbs still in the original packaging. They resemble what you recommend, but aren't what fits in my car.
Posted by: Chris914n6 Aug 3 2023, 01:25 PM
2. DON'T PUT ADHESIVE ON PLASTIC. Just buy a cheap set for driving and keep the NOS for shows.
I wouldn't put it on the headlights either.
Posted by: euro911 Aug 4 2023, 12:27 PM
I did this in my Vanagon so I'd have plenty of light if I needed to work in the engine bay at night ...
Posted by: euro911 Aug 4 2023, 12:36 PM
The BA9 bulbs won't fit the 914's OEM trunk light fixture:
My 1973 trunk light fixture uses a bulb like eric recommends. Could there be multiple type fixtures out there?
Years ago at a swap meet, I picked up a bag of OSRAM 6418 bulbs still in the original packaging. They resemble what you recommend, but aren't what fits in my car.
VW and Porsche, as well as other older German marques use the 6418 bulbs for the interior courtesy lights too. 911s (and optional on the 912s) also had them in the front trunk light fixtures.
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