Tail light socket

[Bigdog]

I just replaced a melted down tail light socket. ( bought this bike last year).  It had an 1157 bulb in it. Wondering if it pulled too many amps causing it to melt down. It's a 99 model tourer.  I was going to go with an 3496 but now afraid too. 

Any thoughts?

[sandy]

I doubt it melted from the bulb. I run the 3496 in my front running lights with no problems. Heat in the socket is usually caused by a poor connection which will cause heat buildup. Use some steel wool or emery cloth on the bulb/socket and maybe a little dielectric grease on the bulb contacts.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I run 3496s on all four corners of my bike. After 6 years no problem. The running light is the same brightness as the 1157, only the blinker/ brake element is different. Since you only run the blinker/ brake for a short time heat shouldn't be a facture.

[Ferris Leets]

I had a brake light witch stick once and it melted the lens.  So I think it could also damage the socket.

[Brian]

1157's have been know to melt the socket if you have bags on the back. They block the air flow over the housings, hence the melt down. I just went thru this same conversion to have running lights and brakes light on the back of my 97 standard using the hopkins trailer converter, wired the running filaments to work off the fronts so they drop out when the turn signal filament is blinking and installed 1157 red LED's in the rear. I ordered the LED's from the super bright LED website. 30 count on one bulb with 100 degree light angle. I painted the amber lens with a few light coats of candy apple translucent red paint made by Testors, bought this at a local hobby shop. I like the look of all three lights back there being red, since my ride is red and white, they match great.  Even with the amber lenses painted red and using the red LED's, they are much brighter than the center main brake light.

It took a while to do all this with the help of all the readers here. I am happy with the results and feel safer now having three brake/running lights on the back.