Author Topic: Different types of 1157 bulbs??  (Read 3041 times)

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Offline punch455

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Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« on: July 17, 2009, 03:00:31 pm »
Hey, was just wondering if there are different types of the 1157 bulbs.. you know the ones we use for our brake/tail lights that have a dual element.  While my tail light is working properly, when I hit the brake pedal the second element only lights up slightly.  I checked the voltage going back there and am getting B+ when pedal/lever is depressed.. but only a very slight increase in illuminosity (if thats a word).  Luminosity I think.  I know the bulb is good, tried it in another bike.  What the heck?
'78 CB750F
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Offline SKTP

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2009, 03:08:58 pm »
I have an LED replacement tail/brake light...it was not very expensive...got it at AutoZone
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Offline mystic_1

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2009, 04:28:34 pm »
Dirty contacts in the socket perhaps?

The wattage of the filaments is often stamped or printed on the base of the bulb.

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Offline punch455

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2009, 05:10:04 pm »
I have the tail light assembly apart on the bench right now.  Everything is nice and clean.  I hot wired the bulb to a spare battery I had and the secondary filament (brake light) barely lights, so it must be either a funky bulb or a bulb for maybe a 24V app.  The bulb just has a stamped "T1157 CHINA" on it. No wattage.  I'm gonna run to the store now to pick another one up. Thanks.
'78 CB750F
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Rampage1967

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2009, 05:37:17 pm »
I would try a different bulb  . . .1157 should be 12 volt.

Offline gane

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2009, 06:51:05 pm »
silly thought, but one I've seen... the phenolic  base inside t/l socket  can rotate, and become located 180 out.  causing brake and t/l elements to be reversed. for grins, reverse the tail & brake light wires at harness and check. PS while 1157 bulbs are essentially  same, quality varies. You can tell he differnce between a cheep automitive (brass bottomed) bulb and a higher quality brass bottomed bulb/or something silvery  simply by weight. heavier bulbs are generally more resistant to wear at contact areas and vibration. also, worn sockets can allow installation 180 out.  the differnce between tail & brake lumens are roughly 2-1. you might cheak contacts at bulb base w/ test light. both shoud recieve same voltage when activated. if test light shows different, problem is before bulb. hope this helps.G

Offline punch455

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2009, 07:00:35 pm »
That really happens? Man.  Well I got a new bulb, same problem.  But I was taking a look at the socket you mentioned, looking for some signs of it rotating, and I noticed the spring behind it was actually touching the .5 mm of exposed wire before the solder point on the socket base, grounding it out when the bulb was pushed into the socket.  Insane.  I put some shrink wrap on that puppy and voila, bada bing bada boom, cha cha cha, now we're cooking with gas, etc etc.  (Aka it works now) Thanks again guys.
'78 CB750F
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Offline PxTx

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2009, 07:18:47 pm »
Try installing a 2057 bulb if you need t brighter.

Offline punch455

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Re: Different types of 1157 bulbs??
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2009, 08:04:19 pm »
No it's plenty bright now.  There's a 2357 too I think we can use.
pulls a little more current tho..
'78 CB750F
Daytona Bars
Bar-end Mirrors
Custom Rearsets