dash lights

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labtech_one - 14 Aug 2007 11:53 GMT

I've ready that the bulbs in the dash, on a C4 can be replaced
with 194 bulbs and appropriate bulb holders.

good side is the bulbs are cheaper, and easier to get
but the down side is the dash is dimmer.

has anyone, replaced the bulb holders, and used
those high intensity LED replacement 194 bulbs ?

they shouldn't burn out ( thats a plus ), they are
a bit pricey ( but worth it I would think )

Question is the brightness, in side markers they do
rather well, can hardly tell them from a bulb. But
not sure how they'd do in the dash.

has anyone tried this ?

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Tom in Missouri - 14 Aug 2007 15:27 GMT

Since I haven't seen them, I can't truly comment. However, most LEDs I have
seen are more directional in how they shine their light. The light in a
dash is more about spreading around to cover the instruments. As long as
the light gets directed over the instruments, I guess that would work.

Another issue would be current. If their current requirements are higher
than the existing bulbs, you might have to worry about wiring issues. This
is an issue with '63 Corvettes. They were designed for one bulb, the '64 up
for the 1157 which is brighter but with more current. So there is a warning
to not use them in the taillights of '63s. I don't know anyone who has ever
had a problem, however, there was a concern by Chevrolet years ago.

I don't think it is likely, but I guess on an old wiring harness, you could
heat the dash wires up and have a problem.

> I've ready that the bulbs in the dash, on a C4 can be replaced
> with 194 bulbs and appropriate bulb holders.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> has anyone tried this ?

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Carl K - 14 Aug 2007 17:39 GMT

LED's draw much less current for the same amount of light, mainly because they
don't get hot, also because they don't use the whole spectrum of visible light
(not sure what the deal is with white ones, but I bet they have a different
'look' than incandescent.)

Carl K

> Since I haven't seen them, I can't truly comment. However, most LEDs I have
> seen are more directional in how they shine their light. The light in a
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>>
>> has anyone tried this ?

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labtech_one - 14 Aug 2007 23:18 GMT

> Since I haven't seen them, I can't truly comment. However, most LEDs I have
> seen are more directional in how they shine their light. The light in a
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> to not use them in the taillights of '63s. I don't know anyone who has ever
> had a problem, however, there was a concern by Chevrolet years ago.

LED's use far LESS current, I've used them in 'idiot lights' and they
work real well. Only problem is you have to either get a 'white light'
LED or match the color of the LED to the filter on the indicator.

Taking the dash out is a pain, so if I can replace the bulb, with
something that doesn't burn out .... all the better.

They do make 'diffuesed' LED's that aren't as directional

http://superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

again my concern is 'brightness'. the halogens that are
stock will be hard to beat.

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PJ - 15 Aug 2007 14:20 GMT

>> Since I haven't seen them, I can't truly comment. However, most LEDs I
> have
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> again my concern is 'brightness'. the halogens that are
> stock will be hard to beat.

I toss in with LT-one on this. While the
LEDs run cooler (less long term damage to the
circuit boards & sockets) they don't play
well when dimming is needed.

The incandescents & halogens dim by varying
the voltage -- most successful dimming
schemes for LEDs use a square wave and vary
the duty cycle. For now, the dimming modules
for LEDs are really bulky (gadgets that fit
in the base of a table lamp etc.)

Electronics tend to shrink with time -- try
again in a couple of years.
--
pj

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