LED bulb replacement ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
LED bulb replacement ?
I've got a '79 and I've always found the bulbs in my gauges a little on the dim side especially around dusk. (I'm Getting old I guess) Has anybody replaced their standard gauge bulbs with LEDs? This vendor has red ,green, blue, amber and white.
Once they're in can they be dimmed down?
Comments about brightness and colors welcome
here's the link....
http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
Once they're in can they be dimmed down?
Comments about brightness and colors welcome
here's the link....
http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I've got a '79 and I've always found the bulbs in my gauges a little on the dim side especially around dusk. (I'm Getting old I guess) Has anybody replaced their standard gauge bulbs with LEDs? This vendor has red ,green, blue, amber and white.
Once they're in can they be dimmed down?
Comments about brightness and colors welcome
here's the link....
http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
Once they're in can they be dimmed down?
Comments about brightness and colors welcome
here's the link....
http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
The LEDs replacements, even bright ones, will not be as bright as the stock incandescents.
LEDs are good for changing colors and long lasting reliability. If you want sheer brightness...still with stock bulbs.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The paint on the gauge faces is what the light reflects off of. You can have your gauge faces refurbished and even painted a different color to reflect the light better.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: FL
well right now, i'm ordering a set of white LED's and a set of white guages from http://www.whitegauges.net
I'm hoping for this effect:
I'm hoping for this effect:
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
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From: North Royaton Ohio
17 here and just passed an eye exam yesturday. It's not just you!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Something to consider is that incandescent bulbs wear out before they burn out. A 30-year-old incandescent, especially one that's been used on and off, isn't going to be anywhere near as bright as a brand new bulb.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: FL
though i'm not sure how an incandescent bulb can possibly be brighter than these LEDs: http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
never thought of it that way. but ur absolutely correct.
though i'm not sure how an incandescent bulb can possibly be brighter than these LEDs: http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
though i'm not sure how an incandescent bulb can possibly be brighter than these LEDs: http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
www.whitegauges.net here
Last edited by redcruz1120; Dec 22, 2007 at 08:05 AM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
never thought of it that way. but ur absolutely correct.
though i'm not sure how an incandescent bulb can possibly be brighter than these LEDs: http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
though i'm not sure how an incandescent bulb can possibly be brighter than these LEDs: http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
On the stock faces, the LEDs will probably be dimmer than stock bulbs. The reason is the LED bulbs are direction and stock bulbs spread the light better. With white faces you get more of a reflection so they look good but with the stock gauge face paint, you get less light with LEDs.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 9
From: Jamestown Rhode Island
The LEDs replacements, even bright ones, will not be as bright as the stock incandescents.
LEDs are good for changing colors and long lasting reliability. If you want sheer brightness...still with stock bulbs.
LEDs are good for changing colors and long lasting reliability. If you want sheer brightness...still with stock bulbs.
Before I go into the subject of LEDs. If Those aftermarket backlit gauges came in black faces, I would more than likely get them over these.
Keep in mind I have been testing new lighting for a little under a year now, I know what im talking about, and I'll have pics tonight.
i was tired of the crappy lighting on my gauges so I went to LED's. and it lights up 10x better over those old peices of trash. I still have bulbs in my speedo cluster so you can see the difference.
Dimming: If you use LED's the dimmer still works. For my auto lens, I sometimes find it can be TOO bright. And this comes from a person who would love nothing more than a bright white HUD.
If you disagree with this, which I have seen people do, I will also take dimmer pics, reason why it works, Dimmer works on reducing voltage, LED's dim with decreased voltage.
My gauges are 78, so I dont have the green faces, I have white. I have a feeling it would illuminate anything. I completely rewired my center gauge cluster using wires vs the film PCB.
Problems with lighting gauges: The center gauge cluster, at least for my 78, is horrible. Just about all of the gauges have outcroppings that block light flow. It most cases it shines the light onto a gauge next to it. In some cases it simply blocks it, for example voltmeter and clock.
Solution: I cut all the outcroppings off, making all round gauges. MUCH BETTER
bulb vs LED viewing angle: Yes, they do have a small viewing angle. You can get ones with a higher viewing angle if you please. I used straight up 40,000mcd with I cant remember the angle at the moment, but your stand 5mm LED angle. Mainly up.
Solution: You can angle the LEDs, the LEDs do not directly light the gauges, more light you fill that box with, more light that will make it to your gauges. Other solution, see brightness
NOTE: I do have something that would be an exceptional replacement in size, angle, and brightness. the reason I didnt use this was the suckers run at $10 per, and in my quest for the ultimate lighting I had already gone through at least $100 testing alternative methods. I deliver pizza, thats to pricey for me.
Brightness: If you want nice brightness, screw the 5 lamps, you need more light? use more lamps. EASY CHEEZY. more lamps require you to convert your film to a hardwired one. Pretty easy to do, If someone needs a nice colorful diagram of the film I made one.
For new lamps vs old ones, I first tried replacing all my bulbs with new ones and it wasn't a very big difference.
And yes the bulb with illuminate the color of the text on the gauges, although I dont think a crappy yellow will work on green better than white. Get a green and play around with it, If anyone in RI has green gauges I got green LEDs. New gauge faces will look better than old ones, missing paint isnt going to reflect anything, plain and simple.
And the gauges in that picture, It doesnt look like LED's, I can think of ways to do it though. In some areas you can have too much light, mainly where its directed at the object, center gauge cluster, cant have to much light.
If anyone is interested in going the way of the LED I will help in anyway I can. LEDs are very cheap, You could convert all your gauges for probably around $20-30. Maybe more if you need to buy crimps, If you do buy in bulk, I didn't and it sucked. =(
Pics will be up as soon as it gets dark.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
total bs
Before I go into the subject of LEDs. If Those aftermarket backlit gauges came in black faces, I would more than likely get them over these.
Keep in mind I have been testing new lighting for a little under a year now, I know what im talking about, and I'll have pics tonight.
i was tired of the crappy lighting on my gauges so I went to LED's. and it lights up 10x better over those old peices of trash. I still have bulbs in my speedo cluster so you can see the difference.
Dimming: If you use LED's the dimmer still works. For my auto lens, I sometimes find it can be TOO bright. And this comes from a person who would love nothing more than a bright white HUD.
If you disagree with this, which I have seen people do, I will also take dimmer pics, reason why it works, Dimmer works on reducing voltage, LED's dim with decreased voltage.
My gauges are 78, so I dont have the green faces, I have white. I have a feeling it would illuminate anything. I completely rewired my center gauge cluster using wires vs the film PCB.
Problems with lighting gauges: The center gauge cluster, at least for my 78, is horrible. Just about all of the gauges have outcroppings that block light flow. It most cases it shines the light onto a gauge next to it. In some cases it simply blocks it, for example voltmeter and clock.
Solution: I cut all the outcroppings off, making all round gauges. MUCH BETTER
bulb vs LED viewing angle: Yes, they do have a small viewing angle. You can get ones with a higher viewing angle if you please. I used straight up 40,000mcd with I cant remember the angle at the moment, but your stand 5mm LED angle. Mainly up.
Solution: You can angle the LEDs, the LEDs do not directly light the gauges, more light you fill that box with, more light that will make it to your gauges. Other solution, see brightness
NOTE: I do have something that would be an exceptional replacement in size, angle, and brightness. the reason I didnt use this was the suckers run at $10 per, and in my quest for the ultimate lighting I had already gone through at least $100 testing alternative methods. I deliver pizza, thats to pricey for me.
Brightness: If you want nice brightness, screw the 5 lamps, you need more light? use more lamps. EASY CHEEZY. more lamps require you to convert your film to a hardwired one. Pretty easy to do, If someone needs a nice colorful diagram of the film I made one.
For new lamps vs old ones, I first tried replacing all my bulbs with new ones and it wasn't a very big difference.
And yes the bulb with illuminate the color of the text on the gauges, although I dont think a crappy yellow will work on green better than white. Get a green and play around with it, If anyone in RI has green gauges I got green LEDs. New gauge faces will look better than old ones, missing paint isnt going to reflect anything, plain and simple.
And the gauges in that picture, It doesnt look like LED's, I can think of ways to do it though. In some areas you can have too much light, mainly where its directed at the object, center gauge cluster, cant have to much light.
If anyone is interested in going the way of the LED I will help in anyway I can. LEDs are very cheap, You could convert all your gauges for probably around $20-30. Maybe more if you need to buy crimps, If you do buy in bulk, I didn't and it sucked. =(
Pics will be up as soon as it gets dark.
Before I go into the subject of LEDs. If Those aftermarket backlit gauges came in black faces, I would more than likely get them over these.
Keep in mind I have been testing new lighting for a little under a year now, I know what im talking about, and I'll have pics tonight.
i was tired of the crappy lighting on my gauges so I went to LED's. and it lights up 10x better over those old peices of trash. I still have bulbs in my speedo cluster so you can see the difference.
Dimming: If you use LED's the dimmer still works. For my auto lens, I sometimes find it can be TOO bright. And this comes from a person who would love nothing more than a bright white HUD.
If you disagree with this, which I have seen people do, I will also take dimmer pics, reason why it works, Dimmer works on reducing voltage, LED's dim with decreased voltage.
My gauges are 78, so I dont have the green faces, I have white. I have a feeling it would illuminate anything. I completely rewired my center gauge cluster using wires vs the film PCB.
Problems with lighting gauges: The center gauge cluster, at least for my 78, is horrible. Just about all of the gauges have outcroppings that block light flow. It most cases it shines the light onto a gauge next to it. In some cases it simply blocks it, for example voltmeter and clock.
Solution: I cut all the outcroppings off, making all round gauges. MUCH BETTER
bulb vs LED viewing angle: Yes, they do have a small viewing angle. You can get ones with a higher viewing angle if you please. I used straight up 40,000mcd with I cant remember the angle at the moment, but your stand 5mm LED angle. Mainly up.
Solution: You can angle the LEDs, the LEDs do not directly light the gauges, more light you fill that box with, more light that will make it to your gauges. Other solution, see brightness
NOTE: I do have something that would be an exceptional replacement in size, angle, and brightness. the reason I didnt use this was the suckers run at $10 per, and in my quest for the ultimate lighting I had already gone through at least $100 testing alternative methods. I deliver pizza, thats to pricey for me.
Brightness: If you want nice brightness, screw the 5 lamps, you need more light? use more lamps. EASY CHEEZY. more lamps require you to convert your film to a hardwired one. Pretty easy to do, If someone needs a nice colorful diagram of the film I made one.
For new lamps vs old ones, I first tried replacing all my bulbs with new ones and it wasn't a very big difference.
And yes the bulb with illuminate the color of the text on the gauges, although I dont think a crappy yellow will work on green better than white. Get a green and play around with it, If anyone in RI has green gauges I got green LEDs. New gauge faces will look better than old ones, missing paint isnt going to reflect anything, plain and simple.
And the gauges in that picture, It doesnt look like LED's, I can think of ways to do it though. In some areas you can have too much light, mainly where its directed at the object, center gauge cluster, cant have to much light.
If anyone is interested in going the way of the LED I will help in anyway I can. LEDs are very cheap, You could convert all your gauges for probably around $20-30. Maybe more if you need to buy crimps, If you do buy in bulk, I didn't and it sucked. =(
Pics will be up as soon as it gets dark.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 9
From: Jamestown Rhode Island
i ended up getting drunk last night so i'll get pics tonight.
you need to know the operating voltage range of the LED for the dimmer. Mine were 4v, 12/3 = 4. I ran 3 off one bulb socket. So the dimmer would drop voltage all through the range of my LED's. It doesnt work for my cathodes though. For that you need a dimmer that pulses rather than decrease voltage.
you need to know the operating voltage range of the LED for the dimmer. Mine were 4v, 12/3 = 4. I ran 3 off one bulb socket. So the dimmer would drop voltage all through the range of my LED's. It doesnt work for my cathodes though. For that you need a dimmer that pulses rather than decrease voltage.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
i ended up getting drunk last night so i'll get pics tonight.
you need to know the operating voltage range of the LED for the dimmer. Mine were 4v, 12/3 = 4. I ran 3 off one bulb socket. So the dimmer would drop voltage all through the range of my LED's. It doesnt work for my cathodes though. For that you need a dimmer that pulses rather than decrease voltage.
you need to know the operating voltage range of the LED for the dimmer. Mine were 4v, 12/3 = 4. I ran 3 off one bulb socket. So the dimmer would drop voltage all through the range of my LED's. It doesnt work for my cathodes though. For that you need a dimmer that pulses rather than decrease voltage.
