Instrument light bulb 1999 V-Max 700

[Garyauk]

Does anybody know what bulb is used for the tachometer? Is it something I can get at auto parts store? Is it fairly easy to replace? The manual just says 1.7W 12 volt

 

[A couple of bucks]

It has a standard T10 base. 194 or 168. What color is your sled. I usually match the instrument lighting with hood color.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221661032141
My red 97 SX7 reminded me of a Pontiac dash with the red illumination.

 

[Garyauk]

is it hard to replace the tach bulb? Do you have to remove the tach?

 

[A couple of bucks]

Super easy. Just look on the back of the instruments. Along the bottom of one of them(can't remember which), there are what looks like 3 rubber plugs in a row with 2 wires going to each. Just pull em out of the instrument and replace the bulb. Look for this type of plug/wire other places on the guages. Those are the illumination bulbs. The three in a row I mentioned earlier are idiot lights.

 

[Garyauk]

Great idea on the colored led bulbs!! Got a pair of blue ones at autozone for $13! Installation was a breeze and they look awesome on my blue sled! Thanks for the advice...I am very happy with them. They are only 1 watt (originals are 1.7 watt) and each bulb has 5 led lights built into them

 

[A couple of bucks]

We did that to many sleds. Red illumination bulbs in the 97 SX7 and blue ones in the 99 SX6. As well as blue ones in an 01 SX5R.

 

[A couple of bucks]

If one of the bulbs doesn't illuminate, just turn it 180 degrees in the socket so that the contacts are in a different place.

 

[Garyauk]

I had no issues whatsoever. I was a little concerned that they wouldn't fit as they are a bit bigger than OEM bulbs, but they fit no problem and I can't say enough how cool they look at night!! I've got a buddy with a red 97 SX 700. I recommended them to him too as they aslo had them in red.

 

[A couple of bucks]

One can save quite a few watts with an LED tail light(more power available for the spark plugs). They should be somewhere around 7 watts @ a minimum to keep the snow melted off of the lens.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=320723688812

These were the blue ones for the SX5R
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221234940546

 

[roudyroy1]

Are the colored leds brighter than the stick bulb? I'm interested in doing this

 

[A couple of bucks]

It depends on the kind. If your sled is blue, the ones in my previous post works well.

 

[A couple of bucks]

If I remember correctly, these fit too.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=390634003987

 

[Garyauk]

This is what I used. Got them at Autozone for $13. Very happy with them! The pic of them installed is a little blurry because I was holding camera with one hand while operating the throttle with the other, but you get the idea.
It was literally a 5 minute job and it looks awesome! They also had them in red. Each individual bulb has 5 LEDs on it. They really throw off plenty of light!

 

[A couple of bucks]

Those are the same type(smd) that I use. They don't carry those at my AZ.

 

[A couple of bucks]

I used a directional led that puts out less light for the high beam.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=191473883775
I left the other idiot lights with standard bulbs in them.

 

[A couple of bucks]

Looks good for very very very minimal work eh.

 

[Garyauk]

I thought the kid at my AZ said they were a new product. Maybe they just haven't reached your store yet. The AZ I go to is only 2 minutes from my house. Very convenient and no waiting for shipment! :-) I also left the idiot lights with the standard bulbs and probably always will. The backlighting is enough and really does look impressive! Great idea and thanks again for the post!

 

[A couple of bucks]

I've got a buddy with a red 97 SX 700. I recommended them to him too as they aslo had them in red.

If he does do the red instrument lights, please post a picture.
Are you planning to paint the inside of your windshield? The lighting looks even better with a blacked out windy.

 

[Garyauk]

No paint for the windshield. I like it the way it is. if my buddy does do the red I will post pics. Got out for the first time yesterday on a lake. A few issues but a good time. Rain today and 49 degrees :-(
Posting a pic of my tow vehicle sled and trailer.

 

[roudyroy1]

just bought some bulbs for my sled