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Charging Light Bulb

Darryl Cainey

Darryl Cainey

Sir Darby
Does anybody have a source to purchase a aftermarket charging light bulb for a 1993 R100GS?

BMW in Canada says they are no longer available.

BMW USA shows still being available.

Max BMW has them but the shipping cost is $62.85 for $18.82 worth of parts, a bit excessive don't you think for 2 bulbs?
 
Snowbum has an article on lamps:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/lamps.htm

About 2/3 down under "Smaller Lamps" he mentions replacements for the gen lamp bulb. He provides a part number 07-11-9-978-372 but that shows up on BMW car fiches...but it looks to the visually correct item. He does offer other suggestions.

Also on his website is the resistor mod which bypasses a burned out instrument pod bulb.
 
That shipping sounds crazy. I used to ship things to my kids in Canada for much less (still pricy, but more like $20)

Have you looked into a Katdash? If they make one for your bike its a significant improvement and replaces all the bulbs with LEDs
 
Anyname said:
That shipping sounds crazy. I used to ship things to my kids in Canada for much less (still pricy, but more like $20)

Have you looked into a Katdash? If they make one for your bike its a significant improvement and replaces all the bulbs with LEDs
Click to expand...

Yes I have seen the Katdash but you can't use a LED as a replacement for the charging light as it too small a bulb.

Thanks!
 
20774 said:
Snowbum has an article on lamps:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/lamps.htm

About 2/3 down under "Smaller Lamps" he mentions replacements for the gen lamp bulb. He provides a part number 07-11-9-978-372 but that shows up on BMW car fiches...but it looks to the visually correct item. He does offer other suggestions.

Also on his website is the resistor mod which bypasses a burned out instrument pod bulb.
Click to expand...

Snowbum gives some good alternatives to that bulb other that BMW, now just to find them!

Thanks!
 
The bulbs needed for the charging socket are what's called glass wedge base...no metal at the bottom, but the electrical leads are folded up on the glass and the bulb is wedged into a female socket on the board.
 
OM -

The important thing is the current that it can carry. Current through this bulb is what energizes the rotor in the alternator. If not enough, maybe the alternator doesn't "bootstrap" itself.
 
20774 said:
OM -

The important thing is the current that it can carry. Current through this bulb is what energizes the rotor in the alternator. If not enough, maybe the alternator doesn't "bootstrap" itself.
Click to expand...

I did a further look and any difference aside- looks like they are available most anywhere. Search was w3w bulb.

From a "technical" standpoint, the differences are rather small, their effect amps/volts. On an older charging system, I think there would need to be some variations due to complete system age.....Just an (academic) thought.
OM
 
If you decide to go with the BMW bulbs do you have somewhere in Buffalo you can send them to and pick them up?

(Oh crap, COVID borders are closed!)
 
20774 said:
OM -

The important thing is the current that it can carry. Current through this bulb is what energizes the rotor in the alternator. If not enough, maybe the alternator doesn't "bootstrap" itself.
Click to expand...

What does "bootstrap" mean? It's not a Canadian term!
 
An electrical bootstrap is actually a form of feedback, where a small portion of a circuit's output is directed back to the input, usually thru a limiting device.
 
Pauls1150 said:
An electrical bootstrap is actually a form of feedback, where a small portion of a circuit's output is directed back to the input, usually thru a limiting device.
Click to expand...

OK, maybe I should have used the term "jumpstart"! :whistle
 
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