Bongo Fury

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone out there know what the spec is of the back-light bulbs in the factory fitted reversing sensor control unit? (the one fitted onto the top of the dash)

I must have blown mine when I re-connected the batteries after Bongo had been sitting on my drive for 4 months (long story but basically a bit of open heart surgery ).

They are 3mm dia wire tail bulbs and I assume that they must be at least 14volts as they see the full battery charging voltage but I have found some on the WWW up to 28volts.

So before I go off and buy a selection to try thought i might as well ask the experts first.

Anyone got the schematics for it?

Regards Grahame

Hi Grahame,

Try g8dhe "Geoff"?? I'm pretty sure he's got something like this fitted on the dash in his van..!!??

I do but haven't been minded to open it up to date, it a bit of bugger to release from the dashboard to be honest! The bulbs sound like pretty standard ones;
http://uk.farnell.com/cml-innovative-te ... dp/1139294 and the spec sheet which gives the 3mm diameter http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/20314.pdf

Any automotive bulb rated at 12v will work within the standard range of alternator charging (upto about 14 or 15 volts). Have you got a photo of one you have removed?

So I went down to Maplin and picked up a couple of their 12V bulbs - BT43W at 1.29 each.

Also picked up the last 2 28V ones in the shop as well - just in case the 12V were not up to running at 14V cos they are plain bulbs and not automotive types.

Anyway the 12V ones have been running for a week or so now and appear to be about the same brightness as the old ones, very slightly longer but fitted OK.

job done

12Volt are the right ones, car batteries are only a nominal 12volts, when charged batteries are 12.6 Volts, when charging they can go up to 14.6 (Max.) when flat they can be as low 10-10.5.