Frosted 1176 Bulb

[rasmuw]

Does anyone have a source for a frosted 1176 bulb for a '68 vanity mirror?

Thanks,
Wayne

[Barkingdogg]

I have seen this, don't know if it works.

Amour Etch Cream, found on eBay

[Protagonist]

This site has LED replacements for the 1176 automotive bulb, if you would like to try that route: LED Car Bulb Replacement Reference - Super Bright LEDs

[rasmuw]

Thanks for the replies. I've thought of etching some clear 1176 to try to mimic the old frosted units. If etching one doesn't look good, I'll etch four.

The table lists LED replacements for bulbs with a single filament and a double filament as if they were the same. For example, an 1156 is a single filament bulb while an 1176 is a double filament. The '68 vanity mirror switch has a position with the low wattage filaments on, then the high wattage, then both. Will the LED respond properly?

Wayne

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by rasmuw

The table lists LED replacements for bulbs with a single filament and a double filament as if they were the same. For example, an 1156 is a single filament bulb while an 1176 is a double filament. The '68 vanity mirror switch has a position with the low wattage filaments on, then the high wattage, then both. Will the LED respond properly?

Can't promise they will, but they should. I have LED lights (not 1156, though) that have bright/dim settings.

[damonbeals]

I'm very sure that I saw these bulbs at Airstream last week. They had a big selection of frosted bulbs and LEDs in there store. Might want to give them a call.

[vswingfield]

Camping World has some frosted bulbs listed as Vanity Bulbs: 12V Bulb Ref. # 2099 Single Contact -- For Vanity Fixture - Cec Industries 20-99BP - Light Bulbs - Camping World

There are other bulbs listed on their website, some of them are frosted too: Replacement RV Light Bulbs - Product - Camping World

[kokopat]

Our '68 overlander vanity lamps are frosted GE1141IF (inside frosted). single element. 1st position the top two come on - 2nd position the bottom two and the third - all come on- then back to off. The bedroom reading lamps are (on mine at least) clear 1176 (two element).
#1141IF INSIDE FROSTED MINIATURE BULB BA15S BASE, S8 SC BAY 12V 21CP FROSTED, 1141IF,#1141IF, #1141IF MINIATURE LAMP, #1141IF BULB, #1141IF LAMP, #1141IF INDICATOR, EIKO#40115,BOMBILLA,BIRNE,AMPOULE,BULBO

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by rasmuw

Does anyone have a source for a frosted 1176 bulb for a '68 vanity mirror?

Thanks,
Wayne

The 1176 bulb has the double contact on the bottom and to find a the double contacts with the big round bulb can be a challenge. We tailor made an application for a customer who wanted an LED because he Boondocks a lot. His unit used an 1156 socket but the 1142/1176 bulb is available.
BWP1156BWF is the part number. The 1176 would be the same with a different socket. Both are in stock.

[rasmuw]

>>Our '68 overlander vanity lamps are frosted GE1141IF (inside frosted). single element. 1st position the top two come on - 2nd position the bottom two and the third - all come on- then back to off. The bedroom reading lamps are (on mine at least) clear 1176 (two element).<<

Does your vanity look like the attached? I expected the lamps to come on like yours do, but I had problems checking its operation due to a failing switch. When I put in a new switch, along with refurbishing the whole unit, the lamps worked oddly. The problem was that there was on 1156 lamp and three 1176 lamp. Upon further inspection, I noted that all four sockets had two white wires, and looking inside the socket there were two terminals. Check your vanity and let me know if there are two terminals in your sockets. I'm interested to know if your vanity is exactly the same.

Wayne

[kokopat]

Yes, ours looks the same, however the sockets only have one contact. I had to replace the switch also. The switch pattern is awkward I feel. Only one terminal in each socket - dead center. I thought a brake/tail lamp would work in the reading lights in the bed room, however the bayonet tips are different heights on a car bulb so you would get it installed correctly. Then I discovered it was a two filament 1176 bulb. Vintage trailer supply has the frosted and clear 1141's, plus they have the 1176 also. I think the LED would be the way to go as these 1141's give off a lot of heat and when all are on the fixture is pulling ~6amps.

Good luck,
Pat

[rasmuw]

That's very interesting that your sockets are one terminal. Would Airstream have produced two different kinds, and made it an option? It would be too expensive I would think to produce two since the existence of these vanities is pretty limited. Perhaps the two terminal socket was a later production and they stopped producing one terminal types.

Wayne

[kokopat]

I bet they did as the pattern on ours is awkward - top -bottom - both. With two filament bulbs you would get three brightness levels with more even light.
Here's another source for the 1176IF
https://www.interlight.biz/light-bulb/1176IF
good luck,
Pat

[rasmuw]

>> the 1142/1176 bulb is available<<

Now I understand. I was looking for 1176 in the links I've been sent for LED when I should have been looking for the two terminal base as an 1142.

Thanks,
Wayne

[rasmuw]

>>Here's another source for the 1176IF
https://www.interlight.biz/light-bulb/1176IF


Pat,

How did you find these? My internet searching turned up nothing. You're good! Now that I understand that the LED have the proper base, I need to decide if I want the traditional style or LED. I'll probably stay with the traditional since I don't expect to boondock very much.

Thanks,
Wayne

[rasmuw]

The Interlight link turned up empty, as the company does not have the lamps and has not for a while. This doesn't seem unusual for some internet companies not to update their sites regularly, at least in my experience.

I have ended up frosting clear 1176 lamps with the Armour Etch that Barkingdogg recommened and have found it works quite well. The cream needs to be left on for much longer than the bottle suggests, but leaving it on for several minutes doesn't seem to affect the result badly. I did tape the metal part of the lamp to protect it from the acid, and then washed the cream off and dried the glass. The only real difference I can tell for the inside-frosted originals is the rough texture. The look of both lamps lit is almost indistinguishable.

Wayne