Warning Light Cluster - LLB280 lamps

[236572J]

Hi
I wondered if anyone else is having trouble getting lamps (bulbs) to fit the warning light cluster?

I bought 10 lamps (LLB280 T6.5 12V 1.5W) from a vendor on eBay and tried to fit them. Although the same diameter at the thread end, the inner thread to the Edison Screw seems too large to engage into the holder. I thought that maybe the lamps were not to the correct specification.

I then bought 10 lamps -Genuine Lucas LLB280 12V 1.5W E5 (I thought that it should be ES) and went through the same procedure - with the same results. The lamps still will not screw into the holder. I dont need to replace all, but I was going to!

I did read a previous on replacing most with LED's but it is not a simple one for one process. I might have a go in the future as I have replaced nearly all my lamps - except these, the indicator and the headlights for LED. The LED's make a huge difference.

Grateful for any ideas or advice.

[wilf]

I had to replace the low fuel warning bulb. (guess how I discovered it was blown?)

I bought the lamps from a well respected Stag specialist.

They were too large too, had to gently enlarge the hole in the copper bulb holder.

[DJT]

My local A1 Motorspares store which I have used for over 40 years has closed down recently as the owner decided to retire. I bought 10 genuine Lucas LLB280 lamps from him and these were the same - too big for the holders. Why is this? I can understand having problems if you buy dodgy lamps from a Hong Kong eBay seller, but genuine Lucas from a known source?

[V Mad]

I dont think Lucas means much any more does it? Mabye they just bought the name but sell nothing special.

[StokeyStag]

I brought an old light cluster for £5 recently complete with bulbs, they should keep me going for a while

[236572J]

Well! Thank you all for your replies. It is heartening to know that it is not just me! I did the same as Wilf - (above) and started to gently use a drill bit manually but chickened out after the first bit went through and the bulb still would not engage as there would be no going back. Even visually you can see that there is a difference in the thread depth of the old and new bulbs.
I have kindly been offered a light cluster complete with bulbs, so that should suffice. I might even have a go at the LED conversion at some point in the future, once I have a spare.
Thank all again.

[Matt]

When I did my cluster I found my new bulbs were to big - to fix the problem I bent the ' leading edge' of the holder up a tad which let the bulb screw in. Not ideal but better than no bulbs at all.

[236572J]

Hi Matt,
that is useful advice. Thank you for sharing this. I am in the process of writing to Lucas to let them know of the problem. A bulb that has been manufactured for such a long time should fit correctly first time. Maybe they don't know.