Mad Maxx
See, what had happened was...
I got Nick (Unit453) interested in my "Pin Mod" I do to my Single Use 3157 Bulbs, so I figured I'd make a How To for it if anyone else would like to do it.
3157 Bulbs have 2 Filaments in them. A 27w Filament and an 8w Filament. Normally, the Filaments are used 1 at a time. The 8w will serve as the Running Light and the 27w will serve as the Turn Signal.
By Single Use, I mean it serves as 1 Function ONLY. As in a Chevy Truck, the DRL and Backup Lights use a 3157 Bulb, but only use it for 1 thing. The DRL's only Function as a DRL, they are not on as a Running Light, they are not on as a Turn Signal. The Reverse Light only Functions as a Reverse Light, it is not used as anything else. So with a 3157 Bulb in that Spot, 1 Filament NEVER gets Lit. Why waste a Filament, and only have 27w of Light Output when you can use BOTH Filaments, and have 35w of Light Output!!
Here is what a Standard 3156 Socket looks like. Notice the 2 Ground Tabs, and only 1 Power Tab. This is because a 3156 Bulb only has 1 Filament. But a Dual Filament 3157 Bulb will fit in it's spot 100% fine, but only the 27w Filament will be Lit, the 8w Filament will stay out because there is no Power Tab on the other side of the Plug to make Contact with the Pin on the Bulb.:
Here is the Bottom of a Standard 3157 Bulb. Notice the 4 Pins. 2 are Positive, 2 are Ground.:
What you are going to do is use a Razor Blade and pry up on the Pin that is on the side of the 3157 that is NOT getting Power when it's in the 3156 Plug. You want to pry at the TOP of the Bulb Base. NOT at the Bottom where the Pins come out.
Now wrap that Pin back around to the opposite side of the Bulb Base and join it with the other Pin that IS getting Power. If you do it correct, it will look like this.:
Now just pop the Bulb back into the Plug, put everything back together and you are done. Enjoy 35w of Lighting Power instead of a measly 27w.
To verify it is done correctly, turn on the Light and look to see if BOTH Filaments are now Lighted. If they are, you've done it correctly.
3157 Bulbs have 2 Filaments in them. A 27w Filament and an 8w Filament. Normally, the Filaments are used 1 at a time. The 8w will serve as the Running Light and the 27w will serve as the Turn Signal.
By Single Use, I mean it serves as 1 Function ONLY. As in a Chevy Truck, the DRL and Backup Lights use a 3157 Bulb, but only use it for 1 thing. The DRL's only Function as a DRL, they are not on as a Running Light, they are not on as a Turn Signal. The Reverse Light only Functions as a Reverse Light, it is not used as anything else. So with a 3157 Bulb in that Spot, 1 Filament NEVER gets Lit. Why waste a Filament, and only have 27w of Light Output when you can use BOTH Filaments, and have 35w of Light Output!!
Here is what a Standard 3156 Socket looks like. Notice the 2 Ground Tabs, and only 1 Power Tab. This is because a 3156 Bulb only has 1 Filament. But a Dual Filament 3157 Bulb will fit in it's spot 100% fine, but only the 27w Filament will be Lit, the 8w Filament will stay out because there is no Power Tab on the other side of the Plug to make Contact with the Pin on the Bulb.:
Here is the Bottom of a Standard 3157 Bulb. Notice the 4 Pins. 2 are Positive, 2 are Ground.:
What you are going to do is use a Razor Blade and pry up on the Pin that is on the side of the 3157 that is NOT getting Power when it's in the 3156 Plug. You want to pry at the TOP of the Bulb Base. NOT at the Bottom where the Pins come out.
Now wrap that Pin back around to the opposite side of the Bulb Base and join it with the other Pin that IS getting Power. If you do it correct, it will look like this.:
Now just pop the Bulb back into the Plug, put everything back together and you are done. Enjoy 35w of Lighting Power instead of a measly 27w.
To verify it is done correctly, turn on the Light and look to see if BOTH Filaments are now Lighted. If they are, you've done it correctly.
