Blue lights...!

[dougal]

Do you mean me dans? If it's the LED's for the Griff you are after I've got the RS part numbers if you want them, have even got a spare yellow one and a spare high intensity yellow one if you want them?

[dans]

Should really have proof read the answer before sending it.

I'd like to know the part numbers for the existing led's if possible and I am intersted in knowing if I can get a Dash conversion like the one David Beer has performed or if not where I can get tips on doing it myself....

Any assistance greatly appreciated as I am planing the revamp of a very tired griff interior at the moment, LED dials would go very well with the othe things I have in mind. - perhaps the Interior lights could be replaced in similar fashion too?

Cheers

Dan

[ATG]

for all those thinking of rejigging the dash, I'd recommend taking a look at www.greengauges.com
They're using Caerbont Automotive stuff which are the guages fitted as standard to Chim, and I would guess also to the Griff and possibly the S?? Lots of different types of bezel shape and colour, different backgrounds, needles, etc. Looks like a really good starting point for a DIY project.

[dougal]

Which Griff is it that you've got? I've got a 92J pre cat 4ltr, don't know if the other later ones have different LED's, but...

All RS part numbers.

Red 8mm recessed black chrome mount:- 577-235
Green:- 577-241
Yellow:- 577-257
Blue:- 579-938

Mail me offline if you think my limited knowledge can help any further.

[e-mail]

[david beer]

I did it myself, however the mounting of such LEDs was somewhat posh bodge. In the fact that i smashed the glass on the original bulbs and soldered the resistor and Leds in place and put them back in. I would now do it differently. Making up a loom with all the LEDS wired in and simply remove and disregard the bulbs. Then just two wires to connect for all the dials. I have samples if anybody would care to try the LEDs, just pop them across 12v, if wrong way round,they dont work,pop them the other way round and hey presto. Of course if you have money to throw at the project you can buy my original bodge type plug in LEDs at around £6 per LED from rs/farnell. I have also done my interior lights and back lit my number plate,do i have an LED problem ??

[MajorClanger]

Does anyone know what size the 'usual' instrument light bulbs are in the Chimaera, i.e. what size and type of bulb holder do they use?

MC

[ATG]

major ... I have one on the table at home ... let you know tomorrow if you like

[david beer]

My 99 griff had a mixture of "wege base 16mm T5" and "mbc/mcc ba9s T3/4" Thats why free wiring LEDs is the better option. Just take the bulbs out and leave the bulb holders unused.The window switches already have LEDs in them so its just a matter of changing them.

[ATG]

bulb is a 2W OSRAM wotsit with the code "K5632n". Bayonet bulb about 9mm across at the base. The holder inserts 17mm into the hole in the back of the guage. The inserted bit has an external diameter of about 11mm. Back of the bulb holder is flanged with a couple of blade connectors.

p.s. this is for the minor guages (oil pressure, coolant temp, fuel) on a 97 Chim ... but looks like the standard arrangement for Caerbont guages. Might be different on their speedos and rev counters as they are quite a bit bigger.

>> Edited by ATG on Thursday 18th April 11:42

[MajorClanger]

I was just wondering, because, looking at the RS Component catalogue it looks like you can get LEDs already in bulb type fittings M9s, T5, T10 etc. But are they compatible? I realise that this is probably more expensive but would be less fiddly surely (i.e. no soldering required)?

MC

[ATG]

They would be compatible if they have a built-in resistor to limit current across the actual LED. If their datasheets say they can be driven by 12V, then you could plug them straight in.

Matching the light level would be a case of trial and error, I guess, unless you can get comparable measure for the bulbs and the LEDs. Two things to consider: the total light output, and the shape of the beam it produces.

[david beer]

Wel i have just completed my first LED loom that has just two push on connectors to the original wiring loom,plug and play. It has the same number of Leds as my car so i know matching for brightness is good.There is a voltage reg and of course a current limiter for each LED. 100,000 hrs thats, what 11+ years life expectancy.

>> Edited by david beer on Saturday 20th April 19:41

[paulu]

David can you post a picture of your work! front and back of dash?

[david beer]

If you want a sample of the colour i can send a LED in the post. I have also got coming red and also some blue ones.The wiring loom i will photo and show.