LED dash illum for early cars
07-20-2007, 02:27 PM
#1
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LED dash illum for early cars
Yes, believe it or not, I finally spent some time and money on some cosmetic stuff for my '82 931! Of course, knowing me, you know it's cheap and easy! LOL
I've been wanting to try out an LED upgrade for the dash and interior lighting for a while now; finally got around to ordering some from www.superbrightleds.com and they came in yesterday... so of course I put them in immediately!
I got three types; interior dome light replacement, and dash illumination in blue and white (2 each, to do two gauges in different colors and decide which one I liked). I will have to get some good pics; in particular, the way the dash is set up right now is perfect for comparison.
They were stupid cheap; the dash bulbs are type 74, at $1.20 per bulb, except it seems that the combo (fuel/temp etc) gauge uses the type 74 in a twist-lock base, so I'll have to include some of those in my order to finish the dash. They are a drop-in replacement for the stock bulbs, and include the resistor required to make these LEDs work with a 12VDC supply.
The overhead/dome bulb was the "festoon" style, I got the 39x10mm one with 6 LEDs, but it was barely long enough that I was able to make it work; the 42x10mm 6-led one is the correct size (I was guessing). Either way, it was about $3-4 IIRC. Again, same deal, drop-in replacement with resistor setup included.
Results - the dome light was a massive improvement for visibility in the car after dark - you can actually see probably enough to read! That's due as much to color as the intensity.
For the dash, same deal here; with the improved spectrum/color of the white LEDs over the incandescents, the gauges are actually easier IMO to read, and appear brighter. They also I think appear much more modern, ditching the nasty old yellow bulbs. Kinda like switching from an old 6V headlight to a modern HID!
As for the blue - very cool, interesting, but not for me, not in this car. It's just way too modern, looks a bit ricey in the Porker. On the plus side, they're even brighter to the eye than the white, and really show up well even during the day. These LEDs (white or blue) would definitely be the cure for dim dash illumination! The biggest PITA in the install is just getting access to the bulb sockets, not so much the install. Though I will note, the bulbs are polarized, only work one way in the socket (this is clearly noted on the packaging, no worry). So you have to make sure you've got each one installed the right way 'round before putting the dash back.
So I'll be ordering up some more to finish off the rest of the dash in white, as well as some more for my wife's car; she has a WRX, rally blue of course, so once we confirm fitment she'll be getting a blue dome light replacement (I already got one, but in white, my error), another white bulb for the second map light, and some single LEDs to rig up as overhead internal lights (go on with dash illum, sort of ambient lighting as seen in newer cars, lighting up the center stack area).
I'll post back when I've got some pics of the dash, hope to try to get some tonight...
I've been wanting to try out an LED upgrade for the dash and interior lighting for a while now; finally got around to ordering some from www.superbrightleds.com and they came in yesterday... so of course I put them in immediately!
I got three types; interior dome light replacement, and dash illumination in blue and white (2 each, to do two gauges in different colors and decide which one I liked). I will have to get some good pics; in particular, the way the dash is set up right now is perfect for comparison.
They were stupid cheap; the dash bulbs are type 74, at $1.20 per bulb, except it seems that the combo (fuel/temp etc) gauge uses the type 74 in a twist-lock base, so I'll have to include some of those in my order to finish the dash. They are a drop-in replacement for the stock bulbs, and include the resistor required to make these LEDs work with a 12VDC supply.
The overhead/dome bulb was the "festoon" style, I got the 39x10mm one with 6 LEDs, but it was barely long enough that I was able to make it work; the 42x10mm 6-led one is the correct size (I was guessing). Either way, it was about $3-4 IIRC. Again, same deal, drop-in replacement with resistor setup included.
Results - the dome light was a massive improvement for visibility in the car after dark - you can actually see probably enough to read! That's due as much to color as the intensity.
For the dash, same deal here; with the improved spectrum/color of the white LEDs over the incandescents, the gauges are actually easier IMO to read, and appear brighter. They also I think appear much more modern, ditching the nasty old yellow bulbs. Kinda like switching from an old 6V headlight to a modern HID!
As for the blue - very cool, interesting, but not for me, not in this car. It's just way too modern, looks a bit ricey in the Porker. On the plus side, they're even brighter to the eye than the white, and really show up well even during the day. These LEDs (white or blue) would definitely be the cure for dim dash illumination! The biggest PITA in the install is just getting access to the bulb sockets, not so much the install. Though I will note, the bulbs are polarized, only work one way in the socket (this is clearly noted on the packaging, no worry). So you have to make sure you've got each one installed the right way 'round before putting the dash back.
So I'll be ordering up some more to finish off the rest of the dash in white, as well as some more for my wife's car; she has a WRX, rally blue of course, so once we confirm fitment she'll be getting a blue dome light replacement (I already got one, but in white, my error), another white bulb for the second map light, and some single LEDs to rig up as overhead internal lights (go on with dash illum, sort of ambient lighting as seen in newer cars, lighting up the center stack area).
I'll post back when I've got some pics of the dash, hope to try to get some tonight...
I've debated whether to go the LED route in my gauges or not.
07-20-2007, 02:48 PM
#4
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I have lots of extra white led's for the early dash. They are worthless to me if you want them. BTW, did you figure out how to get the bulbs out of the multi-gauge? You have to cut those wires and pull hard if you haven't.
07-20-2007, 03:51 PM
#6
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I know, I know... yeah, I'll get some pics. Didn't get the friggen things in until 11PM last night, wasn't much in the mood to mess with the camera by then!!
No, I haven't messed with the combo gauge yet. Have to try out the bulb for my wife's car first, then I'll place another order for what I want...
No, I haven't messed with the combo gauge yet. Have to try out the bulb for my wife's car first, then I'll place another order for what I want...
07-24-2007, 09:41 AM
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Pics uploaded
Finally got some good ones last night. These I think pretty well show the diff; incandescent on the left (not stock, but actually the uprated 2.3W bulbs), you can tell which color in the center(!), and the white LEDs on the right.
The speedo seems to actually be missing one bulb at the middle of the range (top center), though there never was a socket there; I'll be adding one when I go back in, because I'm not fond of the dim spot.
After some more time to consider, I definitely prefer the white; while the blue is groovy, it's a little too BLUE for my tastes. If I could get something halfway between the white and blue, I might consider it, but the white is fine for me.
The speedo seems to actually be missing one bulb at the middle of the range (top center), though there never was a socket there; I'll be adding one when I go back in, because I'm not fond of the dim spot.
After some more time to consider, I definitely prefer the white; while the blue is groovy, it's a little too BLUE for my tastes. If I could get something halfway between the white and blue, I might consider it, but the white is fine for me.
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07-24-2007, 09:58 AM
#8
That looks real nice. How hard is it to get to the dash lights? I've never done that on these cars.
I did all the bulbs on my TDI and got those from http://www.autolumination.com
I did all the bulbs on my TDI and got those from http://www.autolumination.com
07-24-2007, 11:07 AM
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It's pretty easy - just have to undo a couple of screws, and pop the gauges out.
