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Thu Dec 24, 2015 10:53 am

After extensive research I can't find out shit.

Is the 1077 bulb just a little shorter and the European version of the 1157?

1157

1077

Thu Dec 24, 2015 11:24 am

what year bus do you have? Here is the 1971 chart

here is the 1973 chart

In Answer to your direct question I used Google "Automotive light bulb specs" and found many pages which listed various specs. There were too many specs including size, candle power, wattage, etc. to want to copy it all.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 11:40 am

I have a 71. However I'm sure bulb technology has advanced since then. I did look up the 1034 bulb which is still available even though most people use the 1157 instead.

The 1077 bulb seems to be mostly discussed on BMW forums. I ordered some (they were expensive!) and will compare to see if there are any obvious differences.

The reason I ordered mine for the tail light/brake light was because:

Double filament, double contact, staggered pin, standard, clear globe, looks just like/replaces an 1157, 1034 or 2057, but has a brighter candlepower of 50-14 (versus 32-3.)

https://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=B-1077

Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:14 pm

careful with a higher candlepower bulb... melted lenses.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:22 pm

chabanais wrote: ... has a brighter candlepower ...

More candlepower = more current. In this case, a LOT more current. The brake light switches being sold today can barely handle the
stock current without failing early. Some have reported those cheap switches actually melting thru the housing and blowing brake fluid all over.

Coming down a mountainside, the brakes will be on a lot, and is exactly not the place to experience brake failure.

Here's one vote for using the stock-specified bulbs.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:38 pm

go here
http://automotivemileposts.com/taillightbulbcomparison.html

Using their page, candle power on a 1034 is the same as an 1157. An 1157 has thicker filaments on the brakes and uses more wattage to get the same candlepower.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:25 pm

There are several people in 57 Chevys running this bulb for pakring/turn signal and they haven't reported any issues regarding melted lenses, etc.

I can only find candlepower references not amp/watts.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:30 pm

are you trying to make them brighter?

I hate to admit this as it is a bit hackish, but use that aluminum foil tape and re line the inside of your housings. when done, take some mothers (or similar) polish and holy crap...like mirrors and lights are VERY bright

Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:39 pm

kreemoweet wrote: chabanais wrote: ... has a brighter candlepower ...

More candlepower = more current. In this case, a LOT more current. The brake light switches being sold today can barely handle the
stock current without failing early. Some have reported those cheap switches actually melting thru the housing and blowing brake fluid all over.

Coming down a mountainside, the brakes will be on a lot, and is exactly not the place to experience brake failure.

Here's one vote for using the stock-specified bulbs.
Luckily others have had similar concern, a visit to your local RV store for a powered tail light converter will solve that issue: http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/vehicle-wiring-connectors/power-taillight-converters/

LED's would be another option, not the bulbs but the flat boards that stick directly to the backs of the lenses with a pigtail that plugs into the bulb socket.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:50 pm

I believe the 1034 was an earlier bulb which was later replaced by the 1157, as the chart says the output is the same, just the life expectancy is different. There is often variation in the shape of a bulb from manufacturer to manufacturer so if you want something that look original you may have to find a bulb by the OEM manufacturer and even then the presently available bulb may not be the same shape are the original bulb was.

Thu Dec 24, 2015 6:14 pm

The LEDs don't seem to "spread out" enough in the tail lights from what I can tell. There is something "new" called a plasma LED:

But if you want it to be like a dual filament bulb I think you have to add a thingy to make it play nice. But I don't have enough intel about them yet.

As for my tail lights... I replaced them earlier in the year they're pretty damn shiny:

I'm going to try this bulb and see... pretty much others have said if you left the brake lights on for like 20 or 30 minutes you might have an issue with heat but I don't see that happening.

They did say it makes the tail lights as bright as your brake lights and your brake lights twice as bright.

I also ordered this which looks cool it will go on top my license plate and I think I can swap out one of the screws that holds the plate bracket out with a hollow one so I can run the wire inside and won't have to drill anything:

I'll post photos!

Thu Dec 24, 2015 6:43 pm

^^^^^

where did you get that? looks cool! is it thin?

your voltage....was that KOEO or KOER? is it the same voltage as your battery?

yea, your housings are plenty shiny :lol: I rebuilt some german euro housings....no one wanted to chrome them for me :?

Thu Dec 24, 2015 7:16 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: are you trying to make them brighter?

I hate to admit this as it is a bit hackish, but use that aluminum foil tape and re line the inside of your housings. when done, take some mothers (or similar) polish and holy crap...like mirrors and lights are VERY bright

Yep, that'd be me, Mr. Hackish trying to survive in this rainy mess down south with my "enhanced" taillights (right side only done here)

Thu Dec 24, 2015 7:43 pm

your plate says it all...hack-1904 :lol:

honestly, it really makes a huge difference. I polished my aluminum tape too.

Fri Dec 25, 2015 8:04 am

Wildthings wrote: I believe the 1034 was an earlier bulb which was later replaced by the 1157, as the chart says the output is the same, just the life expectancy is different. There is often variation in the shape of a bulb from manufacturer to manufacturer so if you want something that look original you may have to find a bulb by the OEM manufacturer and even then the presently available bulb may not be the same shape are the original bulb was.

Yes....correct. the 1157 has both heavier filaments and a different stem on the inside. It can handle more on/off cycles and more vibration. Effectively its a rough service bulb.

If you look around at what vehicles specify the 1157 versus 1034.....you "may" be able to discern a trend (probably at least in the early days of the 1157.....but so many use it now just because).....that would be sporty/motorsport, industrial, utility etc. I found a note a while back in a thread on another forum that if you drive rough roads constantly and keep ging through brake lamps....the 1157 was the recommended change. Ray

Fri Dec 25, 2015 8:54 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: ^^^^^

where did you get that? looks cool! is it thin?

http://www.aerostich.com/stopper-led-brake-light-stopper.html

I think it is intented for a motorcycle but I'll make it fit the Bus' plates.

Fri Dec 25, 2015 9:04 am

nice!

I think I may order one. seems pretty compact and has good reviews

Fri Dec 25, 2015 11:32 am

I've been using 3496 in place of 1157 (and 3497 for 1156) for years, and yes the numbers look reversed. They're krypton-filled bulbs brighter than the 115x versions with nice nickel-plated bases. Downside is that you've gotta go to the H*NDA dealer to get the really good (non-China) ones...

Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:30 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: nice!

I think I may order one. seems pretty compact and has good reviews

I'll post pics once I get it.

Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:59 am

Here are some photos... first is parking lights second is brake lights.

On the left is the new bulb, old bulb on right.

I've only been running them for 48 hours. With the parking lights on the lenses feel slightly warmer but doesn't seem too much.

Will keep checking.

Cell phone photos so not the best. In reality the light doesn't bleed as in the photos. There is a big difference between left and right though. I am waiting for an LED red light strip to arrive that goes between the license plate bolts so I may or may not stay with these bulbs.