Has anyone cracked the code on LED instrumentation lighting? Seems a lot of noise out there, and I'm hoping someone has figured this out with an approach that will improve the dash/gauge brightness by at least 30-40% (otherwise, I question whether it is worth it). I really want to upgrade the brightness of my speedo/tach and gauge lights on my `82 that have the wedge design. I will soon have everything taken apart to add an amplifier and FM modulator - and, while at it I'll deal with the speedo/tach. I'm also interested in whether an LED light (part #?) can improve the down-spout illumination for the A/C-heater controls.
To be honest, I don't want it to be a harsh cold blue hue, or to change the color of the light to red, green or anything else (I'm trying to stay very close to NCRA); and I am hoping that the headlight dimmer will work at least to some extent.

Bottom line, can anyone on this forum provide experienced direction on what has worked well. If you have cracked the code, please share your knowledge, especially since the LED technology is quickly coming of age, our C3's would definitely benefit as a discrete modification, and I haven't seen any of our Forum sponsors embracing it quite yet for some reason. Thanks.
Dave

 

I have been interested to learn about this same issue as well for my 79. I hope to learn from your post. Thanks for asking.

 

I have the interior of mine torn apart and have upgraded all my lights to SMD LED and they are alot brighter. I opted to go with blue but also have a set of white. The key is to get either 5 or 9 SMD LED bulbs. A 68 uses 1895 bayonet style. I assume by your statement of "wedge type" you are speaking of 194's. This should be the bulbs you need http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-X-White-T10-8-SMD-3020-LED-Wedge-Side-Light-bulb-Lamp-W5W-194-168-501-12V-/261283749831?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cd5b99fc7I purchased mine from them and they are very reasonably priced and are here in the US. Had mine in 5 days. You need to find out how many you need to replace them all.

 

Here is another member that did a SMD LED upgrade. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...installed.html

 

Go to http://www.superbrightleds.com and search for your vehicle. They have a good selection. I used the 5 LED SMD units and they are great. I tried the blue LEDs but your eyes have a hard time with blue so the instruments were hard to read. Stick with bright white!

 

Superbright wayyy overprices their LEDs. Buy off of Ebay

 

I've done both. Had problems with the fleabay LEDs. Not as bright as superbright bulbs. Superbrights were my second purchase.

 

You say Ebay like all sellers sell the same LEDs. Find a good Ebay seller and you'll still save 90% compared to Superbright. Honestly, I have no idea how Superbright stays in business.

 

These are some good insights. Thanks, `68 Thunder (including the 2012 link), Raphiki and Amorget. I'm wondering if other C3 brethren have dived in lately - or, have advise from being early adopters.

 

I installed these in all positions. They are okay, but they aren't blinding. When the dimmer is rotated about half way, they go off. I imagine they save much power. I didn't think $1.98 each was too unreasonable.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-wide-angle/3/

 

That's because LED don't get dimmer the same way regular bulb do.
To properly dim led you need PWM dimming.