LED Bulbs for dashboard gauges?
Discussion
Here's a couple of threads to refer to:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
On my '96 I needed the LED equivalent of:
Clock - BA7s
Tacho - 2 x 501
Speedometer and 3 other instruments - 4 x BA9s
Not all Chimaera are the same (of course!), I think those with a digital odometer use a different fitment.
I got mine form China via ebay and took a month or so to arrive. If you pay more, there will be UK suppliers. Be careful with the length of some of them too.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
On my '96 I needed the LED equivalent of:
Clock - BA7s
Tacho - 2 x 501
Speedometer and 3 other instruments - 4 x BA9s
Not all Chimaera are the same (of course!), I think those with a digital odometer use a different fitment.
I got mine form China via ebay and took a month or so to arrive. If you pay more, there will be UK suppliers. Be careful with the length of some of them too.
Here's a youtube video showing how someone else did it - seemed very informative
LED Light install on TVR Dashboard
LED Light install on TVR Dashboard
I swapped the bulb holders on the rev counter or speedo so that I didn't have to mix bulb types. The BA9S holders are cheep enough. I got a whole load of lamps and fitted blue ones to match my car. I'm going to have to re do them as I hate the colour in the dark very harsh on the eyes.
edit: make sure you try whatever you buy in the dark before you go to the effort of refitting your dash.
edit: make sure you try whatever you buy in the dark before you go to the effort of refitting your dash.
indigochim - where did you get the bulb holders please ?? I have replaced the bulbs ( on my Griff) with good quality LED's but its the actual holders that are the weak point. The lamps are not held in place securely and I wish to replace the holders with something of better quality. Removing the dash over and over again is a bloody pain !
Was going to post these last night.
These are what I'm using for BAY15D brakes/lights and I have these BA15S for fog, reverse, signals (new relay required for signals)
I've tried a few other Chinese LEDs prior to these and had mixed results with them failing or poor output I'm finally happy with these although I've seen some LEDs fitted in mk1's with aftermarket lexus style lenses where they don;t show so well but in the Lucas MOD style mk2 lights they look fine.
These are what I'm using for BAY15D brakes/lights and I have these BA15S for fog, reverse, signals (new relay required for signals)
I've tried a few other Chinese LEDs prior to these and had mixed results with them failing or poor output I'm finally happy with these although I've seen some LEDs fitted in mk1's with aftermarket lexus style lenses where they don;t show so well but in the Lucas MOD style mk2 lights they look fine.
I think this is the one
That's not necessarily what I bought and isn't a seller I've used. There's plenty of the same on ebay.
That's not necessarily what I bought and isn't a seller I've used. There's plenty of the same on ebay.
I'm pretty sure it was something like these or a 10 pack is more cost effective if you need a few. I think I had to cut the w5w holders off and then just add spade connectors.
bomb said:
Hmmmm. I bought very similar from a ebay and they don't hold the LED's securely enough.
Have you had any issues with your lamps rattling loose at all ??
None at all. Do you mean the LEDs loose in the holder or the holder loose in the dial housing? Maybe it's an issue with the LEDs. Some of the ones I tried had very soft metal forming the bayonet and they deformed easily pushing the pins in.Have you had any issues with your lamps rattling loose at all ??
indigochim said:
bomb said:
Hmmmm. I bought very similar from a ebay and they don't hold the LED's securely enough.
Have you had any issues with your lamps rattling loose at all ??
None at all. Do you mean the LEDs loose in the holder or the holder loose in the dial housing? Maybe it's an issue with the LEDs. Some of the ones I tried had very soft metal forming the bayonet and they deformed easily pushing the pins in.Have you had any issues with your lamps rattling loose at all ??
bomb said:
LED coming loose in the holder. I bought the LED's from a very reputable UK supplier that manufactures high quality stuff for classic cars etc. I'm sure its the holders that are useless.
The LED's I've tried, and I tried about 5 different types all fitted fine and no issues with coming loose. From experience Paying a lot for a product doesn't guarantee quality often just nice packaging. Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff