1978 gauge cluster lighting question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 9
From: Jamestown Rhode Island
1978 gauge cluster lighting question
I am doing an LED conversion, I have having trouble getting a decent amount of light into the central gauge cluster. I don't quite understand the optics here. There are five bulbs in this, but I can't understand why the bulb locations are covered by flaps from the gauges. This will decrease the amount of light ot the gauges. I first though the flaps reflected light from the bulb down onto the gauges, since the gauges themselves are in a kind of stepping design. I have a good amount of LED's in there and it still doesn't seem to do very much.
I am thinking if I eliminate these flaps, the light will reflect from the top of the cluster (the actual cover, black with the reflective blue back). This would allow more light to come up, and give it more distance to spread and cover more surface area.
If I lift the cover plate a little bit it looks perfect, but down not so much.
Thanks
I am thinking if I eliminate these flaps, the light will reflect from the top of the cluster (the actual cover, black with the reflective blue back). This would allow more light to come up, and give it more distance to spread and cover more surface area.
If I lift the cover plate a little bit it looks perfect, but down not so much.
Thanks
Last edited by a kungfu mastah; Apr 3, 2007 at 12:47 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Can't help you yet, as my new gauge bezel hasn't arrived yet. But the lighting in my '79 is very poor too: could you perhaps post some pictures to clarify things?
Also: did you use LED's from a supplier, or did you continue making your own LED units?
Also: did you use LED's from a supplier, or did you continue making your own LED units?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 197
Likes: 9
From: Jamestown Rhode Island
I think thats its the flaps on the gauges, since the oil gauge is perfectly round, and seems to look the best. I'll take some pics tonight of it when its nice and dark.
And I'm using white 11000mcd flux LED's, got them from lsdiodes.com.
With the amount of those suckers I have in that thing, it should shine light gold, or at least the damn sun. I can't even look at it without the cover on due to it hurting my eyes =\
And I'm using white 11000mcd flux LED's, got them from lsdiodes.com.
With the amount of those suckers I have in that thing, it should shine light gold, or at least the damn sun. I can't even look at it without the cover on due to it hurting my eyes =\
