Dashboard gauge lights

[datsun69]

I tried replacing the bulbs on the dashboard gauges (clock, water, oil, speedometer, tachometer) with white LED bulbs but still it is faintly lighted. Is this common? I was hoping to have it brightly lighted when driving at night like the gauges of modern cars.

Do you also have this issue? My gauges are still the stock ones.

thanks

[bakerjf]

When I restored my car I found that Motorsport Auto in Orange, Ca (Z car parts) offered a higher-watt bulb that fits in our Roadster gauges. I got them because my night vision isn't what it once was, and they really did the trick. I would think the LED would have as well - maybe your potentiometer isn't working correctly?

[datsun69]

Mine is dimly lit as this picture. I was expecting it to be brighter. Is yours brighter than this one?

[nismou20]

It looks to me the led is doing its job. It's the dark gauge face that attenuates the lighting. I upgraded to LEDs myself and it seems to be similar in appearance.

[datsun69]

I thought there is a problem on how i installed my led bulbs or there are better lumens than mine. I guess this is the best we can do. It would be cool if i can light it up like the gauges of modern cars without getting new replacement gauges.

[datsun69]

Hi nismou20.

Is that your roadster in the profile pix? Your gauges looks new and not the stock ones.

[nismou20]

Mine are later model roadster gauges that have been refaced a different color in my Avatar. They are stock 69.

[greydog]

I think a part of the issue may be the leds and maybe too high an expectation.
The have light leds produce is directional meaning they're brighter to the "front" than the sides, much like the light from a flashlight. The lamps I used are BA9S leds in an array of 7 around the perimeter of the lamp plus one on the end. They are "super bright" each led is about 1/8"square. They make a bright white light in all directions except the light socket itself. The bulbs barely fit both in diameter and length in the gauge housing but I wasn't concerned as there is so little heat from them even if they touch the housing it doesn't matter.
The roadster gauges rely on reflected light from just a few places, there are no light conductors or reflectors so you've gotta get all the light you can in the housing.
The gauge lighting in my '68 (with led) is much brighter than the '69 Iwith stock lighting) but still nothing like the dash lighting in our VWs or my 300ZX. If I turn on the lights during the day I can see the light at the perimeter of the gauge. At night, they're all visible (but still not bright). Some parts of each gauge are brighter than others, simply the result of the uneven design of the bulb placement.
There was a thread a while back where a member took a led rope light glued strips around the inside of the gauge to shine on the gauge face. Much brighter and more even as he was not relying on the factory light holders but I chose not to modify my '68 2000 gauges. Might go that way on the '69 1600 tho.
Dan

[bikermike]

I have had success with LEDs in dash instruments. I suppose it depends on the type you have.

A related thread with pics:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 15#p139593
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f= ... 45#p143281

[datsun69]

Hi Dan.

Can you post some pictures of your dash lights with the LED from your 68 at night? Would like to know how it looks when using those different LED bulbs.

Thanks.

Hi Mike,

The picture i posted came from your post. Didnt have time to take a picture of my dash but my lighting is the same as yours. I guess Dan explained why our dash is not that well lit. I was hoping it would be super bright and be cool driving at night.

[bikermike]

Gotcha. I just noticed that. Doh!

I found the LEDs I used to be an order of magnitude brighter than incandescent bulbs. I'd actually prefer to dim them a bit...
You do notice that my pics are a side by side comparison between bulbs, right?

In any event, the stock gauges are not going to look as bright or as even as modern ones due to their design, but the LEDs are at least a step up. I agree w/ Dan, since LEDs are directional you need to find bulbs that send light in several directions.

Maybe you can find some different bulbs that are brighter. There are always new bulb designs from Chinese sellers popping up on eBay. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[greydog]

Mine look like this. Picture from my phone.



Dan

[bikermike]

Updated pics with LED bulbs in all gauges...

dash lights 2.jpg

dash lights 1.jpg

[Nded]

upgraded my dash and running lights to LEDs today.



A noticeable improvement with the clean white light.

I picked up the LEDs at www.superbrightleds.com .

11 BA9S bulbs in white, amber, and red for the dash.
2 1156 bulbs in red - T27 tower style
2 1157 bulbs in red - T27 tower style
2 1157 bulbs in amber - T27 tower style

Plus a replacement flasher from Amazon:

CEC Industries EF32RLNP Flasher
https://a.co/d/5fWixQv

I used all the existing original wires in SPL311-00054.

I also posted in another thread, but thought it would be helpful to future owners to post here too.