Cluster brightness Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 13
From: Stillman Valley Illinois
Cluster brightness Question
The gage cluster in my 66 is very dim; you can barely see the gages at night. It has been my experience that incandescent bulbs either work or they don't. I have a full replacement set, but what is the point of replacing them if the problem will still be there.
Oh I replaced the headlight switch some time ago with no effect on the cluster.
TIA
Oh I replaced the headlight switch some time ago with no effect on the cluster.
TIA
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
As the bulbs age they can get dimmer. If you choose to replace the bulbs, test them on a battery to ensure they work before putting the new ones in.
Also, many will suggest going with a non-stock bulb number with better output. This works well for many. In my specific 65 with factory A/C, even the factory rated bulbs pulled too much current for the circuit and I had to actually go with a dimmer bulb in order to keep from popping fuses. This is in part because a factory A/C 65-67 has 4 more 0.33 amp bulbs than a non A/C 63/64, and yet uses the same 4 amp circuit and fuse for all 5 years.
Also, many will suggest going with a non-stock bulb number with better output. This works well for many. In my specific 65 with factory A/C, even the factory rated bulbs pulled too much current for the circuit and I had to actually go with a dimmer bulb in order to keep from popping fuses. This is in part because a factory A/C 65-67 has 4 more 0.33 amp bulbs than a non A/C 63/64, and yet uses the same 4 amp circuit and fuse for all 5 years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,442
Likes: 64
From: 50 kilometers outside Oslo Norway
Here is a link to the cluster and bulbs. I have bookmarked a page to somebody that tryed out different bulbs on the gauges/cluster but i cant find it at the moment but it was here at the forum.
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech.html
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech.html
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: St. Louis MO
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Last edited by Black_Magic; Apr 2, 2010 at 03:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
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From: cooper city florida
Atlanta Light Bulb Co. ......very pricey at $3.45 a piece,with a min. order of 10, but they are GE, and they really do the job. Buy a couple extra, just in case.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Clayton NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,442
Likes: 64
From: 50 kilometers outside Oslo Norway
Yep thats it. Thats the site i was looking for. Have it bookmarked now
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 2
From: Sandia Park NM
I installed a 140 amp alternator along with the brighter bulbs. I remember reading that the headlights draw more then the older alternator could support.
Anxious to know if that is fact.
Dennis
Anxious to know if that is fact.
Dennis
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Joined: Aug 2009
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