Dashboard gauge lights
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- datsun69
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- Location: Philippines
Dashboard gauge lights
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
Do you also have this issue? My gauges are still the stock ones.
thanks
1966 fairlady roadster
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
- bakerjf
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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?
J. Baker
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)
- datsun69
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
Mine is dimly lit as this picture. I was expecting it to be brighter. Is yours brighter than this one?
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1966 fairlady roadster
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
- nismou20
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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.
2004 Chevy Tracker
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
- datsun69
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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.
1966 fairlady roadster
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
- datsun69
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- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:23 pm
- Location: Philippines
Re: Dashboard gauge lights
Hi nismou20.
Is that your roadster in the profile pix? Your gauges looks new and not the stock ones.
Is that your roadster in the profile pix? Your gauges looks new and not the stock ones.
1966 fairlady roadster
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
- nismou20
- Roadsteraholic
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- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:16 pm
- Location: Pasadena, Ca
Re: Dashboard gauge lights
Mine are later model roadster gauges that have been refaced a different color in my Avatar. They are stock 69.
2004 Chevy Tracker
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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
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
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
- bikermike
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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


A related thread with pics:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 15#p139593
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f= ... 45#p143281
Last edited by bikermike on Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
- datsun69
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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.
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.
1966 fairlady roadster
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
1976 MB W115 Sold but missed it
- bikermike
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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.
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.
-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
-
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
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- Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:37 pm
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
- bikermike
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 1763
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Denver Area, CO
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: Dashboard gauge lights
Updated pics with LED bulbs in all gauges...
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-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
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Re: Dashboard gauge lights
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.

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.
Ed Qualls - Largo Florida
Has Car Owner Virus
1965 Morgan Plus 4
1966 SPL311-00054
1978 Mercedes 450SL
1997 BMW Z3
2003 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante
2012 Lexus IS250C
A few others that are not that interesting
Has Car Owner Virus
1965 Morgan Plus 4
1966 SPL311-00054
1978 Mercedes 450SL
1997 BMW Z3
2003 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante
2012 Lexus IS250C
A few others that are not that interesting