Replacement garage door bulb

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Replacement garage door bulb - advice wanted

duckDecoy

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#320173 14-Jul-2025 14:54

Our Conqueror automatic garage door (I don't think they trade any more) has the most pitiful light bulb in the motor housing that is borderline useless. I looked the bulb up in the manual and its 24v 5W.

Can you replace it with a higher wattage bulb? Or could that cause problems. I saw some 21W bulbs online but don't want to put something in that might ruin the unit.

Dynamic

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#3393900 14-Jul-2025 15:00

Is it an old-style incandescent bulb? The wattage limits are generally for heat reasons.

You can almost certainly find an LED replacement. LEDs output a lot more light for the same amount of power use.

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duckDecoy

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#3393948 14-Jul-2025 18:32

Here's what the bulb looks like.
It's got a single point on the bottom, not a double.

Is this equivalent to an indicator/reverse bulb?

And check out the current illumination it gives us:

RunningMan

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#3393951 14-Jul-2025 18:48

It looks like BA15S bulb. 5w 24v would be used for a truck park light, 21w for indicator.

Does the door opener specify it must be 5w, or is that just what is fitted?

Either way a BA15S 24v LED should do the trick.

k1w1k1d

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#3393955 14-Jul-2025 19:25

As advised it is a BA15S 24v 5W bulb commonly used as a truck park or taillight. Trade number is 149.

You could get a LED replacement for a 21W indicator or stop light bulb that uses the same BA15S base. Trade number 339.

Another option would be to remove the bulb and wire up one or two external LED interior lights.

Or remove the bulb and run the 24v to a relay that operates the garage lights.

duckDecoy

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#3393962 14-Jul-2025 20:19

Something like this?
https://www.repco.co.nz/globes-batteries-electrical/globes-bulbs/exterior-bulbs/narva-12-24v-gen-iii-led-ba15s-p21w-globes-2-18262bl/p/A6215456?kwSearch=LED%20BA15S

RunningMan

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#3393963 14-Jul-2025 20:23

That should work. Check the physical dimensions though - LEDs are often a different shape or size to the original glass bulb, even with the same base.

You could probably get something a lot cheaper on eBay / Aliexpress. Quality can sometimes be hit and miss but buy an extra in case.

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Gordy7

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#3393966 14-Jul-2025 20:41

Put in a mains motion sensor light 😀

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duckDecoy

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#3393967 14-Jul-2025 20:45

Gordy7:

Put in a mains motion sensor light 😀

That's not a bad idea!

timmmay

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#3393974 14-Jul-2025 21:39

I got two 3000 lumen LED strip lights similar size and shape to fluorescent lights into my old double garage - white walls, black paper ceiling, lots of wood and such around. It's a good amount of light for getting around the shed at night, but not enough to do any work unless you're right under the light. If you actually wanted to work out there and have the whole double garage lit I'd say six of those 3000 lumen lights might be about right. A single LED light from a roller door might be enough to reduce the chance of you breaking your neck, not much more!

I got a couple of those put into my ceiling cavity as well, it makes it much easier to get around when up there for storage or doing HVAC work.

scuwp

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#3394066 15-Jul-2025 08:56

Gordy7:

Put in a mains motion sensor light 😀

This is what I did. Got a small external flood light, one of those rectangle LED array models with a built in sensor, added a cord and a 3 pin plug, and just plugged it into the wall socket. Mounted high on the wall so it covers a bigger area. Works really well to supplement the pathetic opener light. Why do they never make the lights in these openers something decent?

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duckDecoy

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#3394073 15-Jul-2025 09:30

I think I'll leave that dull bulb in place and pop in a sensor light. Such a good idea.

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qwertee

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#3394148 15-Jul-2025 10:39

Would this work ?

I assume you have a light socket in the garage.

I put one in the front porch. Downside is that it goes off after a time, unless you keep waving your arms around.
Annoying if you want to do some work in there but a simpler solution. They do come in bayonet fitting as well,

duckDecoy

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#3396522 23-Jul-2025 12:00

Gordy7:

Put in a mains motion sensor light 😀

Worked a treat. So obvious once you said it.