Soldering wires to 1156 base to adapt led panel

Empty 1156 Bulb Sockets

Empty 1156 bulb sockets: http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/empty-bases-sockets/ba15s-empty-ba15-base/172/771/

When I started switching to LEDs I found BA15S bases, I can't remember where, but they were $0.50 each and $5.00 shipping. I figured it was cheaper and quicker to rework the old 1141 bulbs, that I would never use anyway, than buy 6 bases for the 6 LEDs that I needed bases for. The next time I bought LEDs they were available with BA15S bases.

zmanmike wrote:
When I converted from regular 1156 bulbs to LED panels, I bought empty bulb sockets. No need to ruin good bulbs or risk getting cut. All you need is a soldering gun and some flux to solder the wires on. Just make sure which one of your LED wires is positive and negative so you can solder them into the correct locations.

This is what I bought. I believe you can find them at superbrightleds.

(..snip..)

Hope this helps.

I couldn't find the empty sockets anywhere, so I reverted to crafting my own adapters like many others. I don't seem to be able to find the empty bulb sockets at superbrightleds, either. :h

aarond76 wrote:
I just pulled the wires off the little white adapters that came with mine, took the fixtures down from the camper, soldered the adapter wires to the switch on the fixtures and put them back up. Seemed easier and cheaper than busting the bulbs and soldering directly to them.

I tried that but I'm pretty sure that the wires in the white adapters that I received were aluminim. I couldn't get solder to stick to them. Instead of breaking the glass on the 1156 bulbs, I just warmed the base with a little butane torch and the glass came out. I unsoldered the wires from the small brass adapters and soldered them into the 1156 bases.

When I converted from regular 1156 bulbs to LED panels, I bought empty bulb sockets. No need to ruin good bulbs or risk getting cut. All you need is a soldering gun and some flux to solder the wires on. Just make sure which one of your LED wires is positive and negative so you can solder them into the correct locations.

This is what I bought. I believe you can find them at superbrightleds.



I didn't put anything in the bulb "void" to hold the wires. Since they won't be moving any once installed, I didn't think there would be a need to add anything else to hold them into place. They have been working great for a few years now with no issues or rubbing.



Hope this helps.

I just pulled the wires off the little white adapters that came with mine, took the fixtures down from the camper, soldered the adapter wires to the switch on the fixtures and put them back up. Seemed easier and cheaper than busting the bulbs and soldering directly to them.

I do mine the same way hot glue good to go after cool down. I also use some metal tape to give a mirror back to the light boxes ...reflects the new LEDs...Bushman

I broke the glass but left the wires in place. I soldered the wires to a plug from one of the other adapters to the wires in the base. Then I filled the base with Bondo anchoring the wires in place.

full-timer wrote:
I did just as StewB,plus I filled the adapter with hot glue. It keeps the wires off of the sharp edge.

Joe

Thats a great idea. I will do it to mine when I re-tape the panels in.

I did just as StewB,plus I filled the adapter with hot glue. It keeps the wires off of the sharp edge.

Joe