Replacing speedo light

[Blas]

Actually, they are not available in clear from them. And they said $8.00 to $10.00 each for the bulbs...Amber being the closest to clear. I received my 4 clear bulbs today. I hope to install them this weekend. I still need info or photos on the tach bulb...

[PANAVIA]

yes that is them.

-- LED Replacement Bulb Kit - Green
Product #
3285

they are $$$ but I am a happy camper.

--one note - the smiths repro tach uses a smaller bulb, and the "Boot-up sequence " of the smiths tachometer was driving me nuts--- so I replaced it with an Autometer tach as well.

I had to do 2 coats of pentel sharpie on the sides of the bulbs to "Dim" it to where I wanted.

note also I ditched my AMP meter for a volt gauge. I will have to dim that one a "3rd " time as the light socket is in a different place the AM units as opposed to the Smiths Repro.

hope this helps...

Steve





--Steve

[maxum_101]

hey Blas

any progress with the leds you got in the mail?

[Blas]

There was a solution posted below IF you want amber, green or red lighting on your instruments. I like white light myself. I have tried the bulk LED's for Radio Shack with add-on resistors and did not like the results. I ordered a different style white LED's from oversea's with a 194 base already on them, the results was an improvement with the lighting being white and not the normal incandesent yellow tint, but not bright enough so everyone would be sadisified with the result. I then ordered some different focus (narrow vs. wide) LED's still not enought light. So now I looking into a multipal LED config. I think people want bright...not just brighter...if you want color, your solution is listed below in this thread. Ultimately, I hope to make a really bright white light configuration that will be dimable down to where you want it. And the system will replace the standard lighting that is in place now....Still no broken tach in my collection so the solution for that is not final yet either. Also, I want to make the lighting level fairly equal across the gauges...I'm working on it in my spare time, and with the driving season drawing to a close...more time will be available when the snow flies...UPDATE: Looks like Mitch from Vintage Upgrades & Performance has the missng instruments available for me...

[Blas]

I am happy to announce that I believe I have found the solution (in my opinion) for the Smiths dim lighting problem. I have found (actually I had them made) some great replacement light bulbs for the Smiths lighting. I am busy working on a display system to compare the light levels and photograph my results. Hope to have everything in place by Christmas...The tach is still causing me some grief but I will concentrate my efforts to resolve that problem next...White light is the color solution I was working on, but I'm sure red or green can also be had...More info as it becomes availavle.

[maxum_101]

sounds good Blas

keep us posted

[RedBarchetta]

Blas is a freakin' genius with the electricals. Lucas was probably looking for someone like him back in the day...they obviously never found him.

His schematics (top notch) and the circuit breaker for the older cars (all top shelf stuff) could only be developed by a true perfectionist/professional.

Even though I upgraded to the best "off the shelf" 3 watt bulb, I too would be interested in learning more.

-Dean #747

[PANAVIA]

That Tach bulb is a creepy little bugger. -- makes you want an Autometer Tach.

[maxum_101]

yes it is.... makes me want to smash it