LED Gauge/Dash lights
LED Gauge/Dash lights
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Discussion

Wildfire

Original Poster:

9,948 posts

282 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
After an interesting eveing where my rev counter fell into the dash, I have decided to take the dash out ans whilst doing so replace the bulbs with LEDs.

Can anyone tell me:

1). Where can I get these?

2). What bulbs do I need for a Griff? I know it will be a combination of Wedge type and bayonet, but how many of each type?

3). Is it easy enough to replace the panel lights with LEDs or will this require other mods.

4). A while ago I blew a capacitor or something behind the dash that means my charge light is constantly on. Anybody got any idea what or where this is?

Cheers

Chris

K4000JB

211 posts

239 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
hi
i dont know where to get the leds from but you will need two for the large gauges and one for the rest with exception to the ticking time clock they are all 501 lamps the clock is a baynet cap lamp sorry cant help any more

ant
p.s i think most leds are polarity sensitive so test them before putting the dash back in.

450Nick

4,027 posts

242 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Hey Chris,

Here's the link to the BA9 bulb holder I was talking about earlier: http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/699

Get three of those and 8 BA9 superbright wideangle 6 bulbs in the colour of your choice (maybe a couple spare as one of mine went flickery after a couple of days). As mentioned, watch the polarity, other than that they're easy to fit. Let me know if you need a hand with anything.

Johno

8,593 posts

312 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Word of warning depending on how much night driving you do. Going for the brightest power and colours means the reflection off the screen alone without the dials direct output can be overpowering, blue in particular.

I've made the mistake and changed for red/amber and it is without doubt much better unless you can fit in a dimmer etc . . .

Difficult as I have black dials and lighting the big dials is harder, so worth experimenting a bit. Overall I wouldn't go back, but it's a lot of hassle and better to get it right first time.

450Nick

4,027 posts

242 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
I've never found the brightness an issue with mine on white faces. I use white leds which just change that horrible amber glow for a nice crisp white which looks much smarter. Overall though the brightness isn't much more than standard despite using superbright wideangle 6's. I know Chris is planning on using red leds on black dials like yours though so your experience may come in handy here...

Wildfire

Original Poster:

9,948 posts

282 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Guys

Took the dash out last night, peeled off the rest of my flaking veneer, so my overlay sits better.

The Pre Cat gauges are actually all BA9 Bayonet fittments.

2 on the Rev Counter (Now mounted back on the dash) 2 in the Speedo and one in each of the dials

As Nick said I'm going for red dials to match the interior. I bought the BA9 Wide Angle Leds from www.ultraleds.co.uk

Strange looking flat headed ones.

Should get them this week, so I'll post the results when I get them in.

I can't seem to find the resistor or capacitor that's blown though???

Hoover.

5,993 posts

272 months

Saturday 13th September 2008
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Chris

There is a resisitor which is connected to the charge light...... it connects to both the wires to the charge LED and should be easily spotted by the black isolating covers which are on the wires approx 2" long

should be in the imediate vacinty of the charge light

Hoover

Wildfire

Original Poster:

9,948 posts

282 months

Wednesday 17th September 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Hoov

I take it the little ceramic sqaure thingy?