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Hi, I'm trying to figure out if replacing my dash lights GE 1895 will improve the brightness even though the bulbs that are in there look to be good. They're just too dim. Do these old halogen bulbs just lose their brightness in time?
A GE 1895 is not halogen, just a regular incandescent bulb. And the bulbs don't wear out , they work or they don't work. They could be dirty or dusty which would cut down on the brightness. But check your Instrument panel for a weak ground. Also check the rheostat on the headlight switch ( this is what dims the panel lights by rotating the headlight switch **** and turns on the interior lights)
New bulbs will definitely be brighter. With some, much brighter. Those little incandescent bulbs are beyond their service life long before they burn out. The metal filament vaporizes and deposits on the inside of the glass. The filaments gradually get smaller; emitting less light, and the glass gradually gets less transparent. Original GE bulbs are still best and available. Avoid the non-GE complete sets sold by some Corvette vendors. I tried LED’s, but they were a very early version and didn’t work out. Before changing the bulbs I couldn’t read the speedometer at night; it was a dull glow only. Changed to all new bulbs and the dash become bright enough to need a little dimmer use. The mechanical dimmer gets surface corrosion if left in the same place for along time. Working it vigorously back and forth will clean it up a bit, but if you have the gauges out to replace bulbs, it’s easy enough to clean the wire coil in the dimmer directly.
Charlie
New bulbs will definitely be brighter. With some, much brighter. Those little incandescent bulbs are beyond their service life long before they burn out. The metal filament vaporizes and deposits on the inside of the glass. The filaments gradually get smaller; emitting less light, and the glass gradually gets less transparent. Original GE bulbs are still best and available. Avoid the non-GE complete sets sold by some Corvette vendors. I tried LED’s, but they were a very early version and didn’t work out. Before changing the bulbs I couldn’t read the speedometer at night; it was a dull glow only. Changed to all new bulbs and the dash become bright enough to need a little dimmer use. The mechanical dimmer gets surface corrosion if left in the same place for along time. Working it vigorously back and forth will clean it up a bit, but if you have the gauges out to replace bulbs, it’s easy enough to clean the wire coil in the dimmer directly.
Charlie
Thanks Charlie that’s good info and I’ll try replacing with GE bulbs and cleaning the dimmer.
Absolutely, incandescent bulbs lose there brightness with age. On my car I found the original bulbs are rated at 3.8 W. I found standard replacement globes at the local auto parts store rated at 4W. The glass globe part was smaller, but the base the same. Replaced all of them with the 4W bulbs. Now I have to turn the dimmer down! And a fraction of the price of LED's.
@4-vettes and @raycam01_au Great info! I will definitely be using led’s on all exterior lighting, but was thinking hesitantly on doing so with the interior. Glad to know that just bumping them up to the 4w version will be a viable solution!
Yes works great and your dimmer works as it should. LED's tend to create issues in this application, why go there. Some places are good for LED's. Some not so much. Front marker lights, not so good!
Yes works great and your dimmer works as it should. LED's tend to create issues in this application, why go there. Some places are good for LED's. Some not so much. Front marker lights, not so good!
I will have all new wiring harness front to rear. Do you think that may solve those front marker led light issues?
Luckily we have an exotic hardware store in town with everything and more you can use and was able to find some 1895's today. They were a little expensive but wanted to get this put back together today. And it is like new again! That's all it needed. I suppose the bulbs I took out were originals. Still have more interior bulbs to replace elsewhere though.
Thx!
I will have all new wiring harness front to rear. Do you think that may solve those front marker led light issues?
no absolutely not. It's the way the signals and front markers are wired. Making use of the capacity of incandescent bulbs with the way the lights are grounded through one another. LED's can't be wired this way! BIG problems with LED's in the front side marker light location. Front side markers and forward signals. Leave as incandescent bulbs. Or. Yes there are very expensive alternatives. But seriously, why do people need to open that can of worms?
They say they (LED's) last forever. I am a mechanic. NO they don't! They cost a fortune and burn out just as often. I know, I replace them all the time and have to explain the extremely high cost to customers.
I see you already purchased bulbs, but if you do want to convert the dash bulbs to LEDs in the future I can send you an eBay link. $11.49 USD for a 20 pack. They fit in the stock connectors just fine, and almost two years later I have no issues.
Replaced all the dash lights in my 77 this year, much better and brighter than the original lights. NAPA carries the bulbs. I don't care for the look of LED bulbs vs incandescent in or on my vette. Too blue, too white, too modern looking.
I hate LED headlights. Stupid expensive if you have to replace one. And stupid bright to have look at while driving into oncoming traffic.
Dash lights are dim
