BLUE LED Dash & Interior Lighting
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
BLUE LED Dash & Interior Lighting
Hi Gang,
I'm back with the same question: How do you swap out C3 dash and interior lights with BLUE LED's?
There's a great C5 thread here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
but that doesn't seem to help me.
A few members have been kind enough to link me to dash light replacement packages from various vendors in my "Dash Lights" thread, but those aren't BLUE LED's...
I know there have been folks on here who have done this (I've seen great pics), I just can't quite seem to get the correct BLUE bulbs to replace mine. I apologize if I've missed something here, and as always, any help is greatly appreciated.
Here is a link to some of the bulbs available on line. I just don't know which ones will work without having to completely rewire the connections for each and every bulb.
http://www.tmart.com/Car-LED-Light-B...FQUUKgodlnleiA
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I'm back with the same question: How do you swap out C3 dash and interior lights with BLUE LED's?
There's a great C5 thread here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
but that doesn't seem to help me.
A few members have been kind enough to link me to dash light replacement packages from various vendors in my "Dash Lights" thread, but those aren't BLUE LED's...
I know there have been folks on here who have done this (I've seen great pics), I just can't quite seem to get the correct BLUE bulbs to replace mine. I apologize if I've missed something here, and as always, any help is greatly appreciated.
Here is a link to some of the bulbs available on line. I just don't know which ones will work without having to completely rewire the connections for each and every bulb.
http://www.tmart.com/Car-LED-Light-B...FQUUKgodlnleiA
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
BA9S or 1895 are the numbers for the dash bulbs. I think you need 13 or 14 bulbs, can't remember exactly.
just put BA9S blue LED in an ebay search
here's the palce I bought mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ba9s-BLUE-Le...ht_2043wt_1139
Very happy and no alteration of the light socket or wiring.
hth,
Sully
just put BA9S blue LED in an ebay search
here's the palce I bought mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ba9s-BLUE-Le...ht_2043wt_1139
Very happy and no alteration of the light socket or wiring.
hth,
Sully
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I had blue LED's in my '70 for about a minute! Try reading blue type face on black background sometime at 70 mph. Went back to white LED's. Like getting a new set of eyes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
superbrightleds.com
I remember when I was thinking about sticking some LEDs in my console for speed and tach, this was the place I looked at. I've hesitated for the moment because you lose all dimming capability. I still might buy a few and see for myself if it's worth it.
They even have a LED bulb finder that gives you the correct bulb replacment. I think we'd all love to see some pics.
They even have a LED bulb finder that gives you the correct bulb replacment. I think we'd all love to see some pics.
Last edited by StingrayLust; Feb 29, 2012 at 01:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 40
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Stroh:
Don't use Regular LED, that the reason people say they don't like them, use SMD LED.
(BA9S 1895 T4W 5 Power SMD LED (Blue) Bayonet Bulb.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ash-light.html
Avner
Don't use Regular LED, that the reason people say they don't like them, use SMD LED.
(BA9S 1895 T4W 5 Power SMD LED (Blue) Bayonet Bulb.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ash-light.html
Avner
Last edited by avner; Feb 29, 2012 at 08:15 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Finding the bulbs is an issue but really you have to re-engineer the center gauges and the speedo and tach for the different types of bulbs. The incandescents that come stock are a lot brighter than almost all LEDs on the market that are of same socket. The other problem is that the reflective surfaces inside the gauge housings are painted a light blue or light green to achieve the green effect of lighting. The yellow from the bulb reflects off of the blue paint to make green which in turn reflects off of the numbers and such on the dash faces. If the bulbs are dimmer than stock bulbs then less light actually reflects out and around to the numbers. If you really want blue gauges you will first have to find some super bright blue LEDs and ideally repaint the reflective surfaces in each gauge to a flat silver or flat white in order to correctly reflect the blue light from the LED bulbs. Then there is the dimming feature which is lost as as mentioned a lot of people tend to like that feature. Also, the turn signal circuits use the resistance from the dash arrow bulbs so if you do replace all dash bulbs with LEDs make sure you either keep them stock or add resistors to that circuit.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Thanks so much Avner and Mark and all respondents. As the weather improves up here in Michigan and I can get to work in the garage I'll keep you updated on progress. I really appreciate the advice.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Onoway Alberta
Stroh:
Don't use Regular LED, that the reason people say they don't like them, use SMD LED.
(BA9S 1895 T4W 5 Power SMD LED (Blue) Bayonet Bulb.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ash-light.html
Avner
Don't use Regular LED, that the reason people say they don't like them, use SMD LED.
(BA9S 1895 T4W 5 Power SMD LED (Blue) Bayonet Bulb.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ash-light.html
Avner
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Go here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/vehic...orvette/11/408
Remember to get SMD's whenever you can. Much brighter.
Remember to get SMD's whenever you can. Much brighter.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
when was the last time you said..
" Man those C3 dash lights are so bright I need to Dim them ?"
Usually just the oppiste...
Man those dash lights are so Dim i need to fix them !
if you want to change to LED's, search for the orginal bulb replacement #,
Not Blue LED's for a corvette.
the Super Bright brand LEDS are exactly like their name.
I went with white LEDs and like them, and No I can't dim them.
" Man those C3 dash lights are so bright I need to Dim them ?"
Usually just the oppiste...
Man those dash lights are so Dim i need to fix them !
if you want to change to LED's, search for the orginal bulb replacement #,
Not Blue LED's for a corvette.
the Super Bright brand LEDS are exactly like their name.
I went with white LEDs and like them, and No I can't dim them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I think that you must put some LEDs inside the car. The stock dimmer switch, powering the stock incandescent bulbs in the interior, will burn out eventually from heat overload...if you use the dimming feature. My 68 stock switch was burnt out. The nichrome wire had failed from heat.
Putting a few LED's in will reduce heating on the dimmer switch.
LED's can be dimmed. You dim them by varying the current through them, not by varying the voltage to them as you do to dim a incandescent bulb. Variable current power supplies are available. Probably a little too involved for a casual install. OHH...voltage choppers will also work to dim LEDs although not as effectively. Hit a LED with 100% 12 volts, and then hit it with a high frequency square wave with a duty cycle of 50%, The LED will dim. Once again, it's a little more involved to dim LEDs. New cars have dimmable LEDs in the dash.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 17
From: Lancaster Ca
Fortunate ones 68-77
You guys are the fortunate ones for LED lighting because "Inclusive Lighting" sells an awesome kit for your dash and they are not individual bulbs. I really wanted this for my 81 but they currently do not make them for 78 and up C3s. Check it out!
http://inclusivelighting.com/Inclusi...-77_Gauge.html
http://inclusivelighting.com/Inclusi...-77_Gauge.html
Last edited by MrMagic; Jan 15, 2013 at 06:31 AM. Reason: grammar
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I am putting in Autometer's for my LS swap and I needed some LED's so I went to superbrightLED. They are actually way too bright.
I found a small PWM box on eBay for five bucks and hooked it up. Seems to work well.. (below is a video of them dimming to full off)
I took the box apart and the pot is not on the board, so right now the plan is to use the box to control the brightness of the LED's but relocate the pot.. probably under the dash.
I found a small PWM box on eBay for five bucks and hooked it up. Seems to work well.. (below is a video of them dimming to full off)
I took the box apart and the pot is not on the board, so right now the plan is to use the box to control the brightness of the LED's but relocate the pot.. probably under the dash.
