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Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:32 pm

Hey guys, I just put my set of heart lights I had for about 8 years stashed away on my car. I did a bunch of searches and didn't come up with anything. Probably just missed it as usual. Anyway what bulbs should I be using in there being that I have a 12v system? Want to make sure and don't wanna chance a screw up with these babies.

Thanks a lot

Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:15 pm

Im pretty sure this is the bulb you need, but give WW a call to be sure.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=N177312

Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:06 am

Thanks a lot! They must last forever cause no one I asked knew lol

Wed Mar 30, 2016 3:40 pm

VW Part #...N17 718 1...bulb 6v, 5 w, tail light to ch 1-929745
VW Part #...N17 716 1... bulb 6v, 15w, stop light to ch 1-929745

on page 9-25 oct. '57 spare parts book

Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:53 pm

Thanks Zen, will those work on the 12v system though? I know they will burn hotter and don't wanna torch my lenses. I picked up a set of dual filament bulb holders from kochs. I'm sure someone else has and was just hoping they would chime in.

Fri Apr 01, 2016 8:42 am

... oh sorry no, those are 6 v only... my bad

Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:40 am

There's always the LED option, but I believe there might be some modification the inner bracket. I haven't done it yet, but I bought an aftermarket bracket, so that I don't ruin my original

Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:17 pm

I'm shocked no one knows lol. Well no one answers. Anyway I'm gonna try and run an 1156 for the heart and an 1157 for the tail. Hopefully this will help someone else down the road.

Mon Apr 04, 2016 8:19 am

I have a set of original hearts with the bulbs still in them. I'll take a look and get back too you.

Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:30 am

no need to buddy. thanks though its for a 12v remember! :D

Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:59 am

Has anyone tried using LED bulbs? I'm thinking of replacements with the same base as incandescent, not the kits in the classifieds that require altering the bulb holder. I see all sorts of single filament type 12V LED bulbs on Amazon but I don't know what might fit.

Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:37 pm

For 12v regular tungsten bulbs use a 12v 10w bulb for brake, and 12v 5w for the tail. Ba15s bases. You can use the larger 21w for the brake, but you then risk melting the brake lenses. On 12v the 5/10w bulbs are plenty bright.

Thu Apr 07, 2016 10:52 pm

Dang. The 1156 and 1157 I was told run are 24 and 27 watts respectively. That sounds waaaay hotter then the 10 & 5 watt bulbs you mentioned. Back to square one :?

Sat Apr 09, 2016 3:53 pm

57 Rag wrote: Dang. The 1156 and 1157 I was told run are 24 and 27 watts respectively. That sounds waaaay hotter then the 10 & 5 watt bulbs you mentioned. Back to square one :?

That is some genuinely bad information. An 1156 is a 12v 21w single filament, as you would typically use for a stop lamp or turn signal (IMO too hot for a heart brake light). The 1157 is a dual filament 12/5w which has no place in a heart light assembly.

You need the equivalent of Osram 5007 for the tail, and Osram 5008 for the brake.

Ain't the interwebs great?

Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:27 pm

Thanks Temple, I'll look into those. Sad part is I bought the dual filament bulb holders in classifieds here from Kochs. They couldn't even tell me what bulbs went with them. 😑 Not only that but the screws didn't line up with fender holes. They did offer a full refund and even pay for my shipping which is good. I decided I'll just probably modify the mount a little.