LED Shocked

[UKPhilTR7]

As some of you may of read, I am in the process of replacing my bulbs with LED’s. I already did the dash ones and found it a great improvement. I cannot use the dimmer, but that is a small price to pay for a dash that it lit up nice.

I brought some new lights for the heater control panel and fitted them all OK. A few days ago, I received my switch panel bulbs in the post. So I raced down to the garage and fitted them. I meant to do a before and after on all the bulbs that I have fitted, but in my excitement, I totally forgot. However, this time I was able to do it and I was totally shocked at the difference LED’s make. Don’t get me wrong I know they are brighter, but when you have the two together, you can really see how much difference LED’s make.

In the picture below, on the left is the new led and on the left is the existing old bulb (waiting to be replaced). You may need to look hard to see the old one, but I assure you it is there. Put it this way, I am totally converted to LED’s now.

[FI Spyder]

The brighter the dash the less you can see out into the night. I'll keep my regular dash lights turned down so I can see those pesky island deer crossing the road.

[supercass]

I have never had a problem with my dash lights being too dim. I do tend to have them towards the higher setting. I think bright non adjustable led lights for the dash could potentially be distracting. supercass

[UKPhilTR7]

Oh yes I totally agree that the last thing you want is for the dash lights to be too bright when driving at night. However, when the bulbs are all in place (and the one above) they look just right, without and dazzle.

[Maxwell]

Nice!

[alc59]

Like this a lot. So what did you buy and who from?

Al

[manny]

are we seeing them bleed into the indicator..err...indicators

[UKPhilTR7]

Like this a lot. So what did you buy and who from?

Al

So far I have got all my LED’s from ebay, with the most popular point of origin being China or Hong Kong. It did make me laugh though when I was looking for them. The first page would show all the local sellers (one even down the road) and the cost of p&p was anywhere from $2 to $10+. However, on the second page I could get the same items from China for free p&p. Guess which ones I went for lol. I have a list

Below is a list of all the standard bulbs and their led equivalent that I have put together. This was only designed for my own use, but if it can help others, I am more than happy to share it. I can confirm all of the bulbs in the interior section are correct and work just fine. I can also confirm that the front side lights, the number plate and the rear side running bulbs are correct. However, as yet I have not replaced the rear light cluster lights, so cannot confirm they are correct. However, I am pretty sure they are.



The links below are to the bulbs that I brought. These links are only for reference (the pictures & type). However, I can confirm that they work all OK for me and my dash:

Dash illumination strip:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141805574486?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Dash Heater Console:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291708453216?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Dashboard Background Lights:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160982226419?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

are we seeing them bleed into the indicator..err...indicators

Not too sure if you mean the first picture that I posted, however I will answer it as if you did. Nope no indicators being beamed/bleed into the cockpit, this is the original light on the right with the new led on the left, with the switch panel down. When I was fitting them, I just wanted to check the difference between the two bulb types and to also confirm if I had made the right decision to change the entire interior to led, which I now believe I have. The second set of pictures show the led’s in the switch panel all fitted and looking great.

[manny]

your last image with the final install - the camera seem to have picked up the turn indicators as lit\bled into.

[dmtrmp6]

Phil et al,

When I converted my dash to LEDs, using essentially the same LED assemblies as selected by Phil, there was some bleed across into the Turn/indicator arrow heads.

This was resolved through the application of some kitchen/cooking foil to improve the seal around the indicator shrouds, which are a separate plastic item designed to minimise light bleed/leakage, and also by forming a simple barrier along the edge of the speedo/tach aperture if req'd. When you have the black front panel off the instrument cluster it is fairly obvious where to apply the foil.

BTW, if you intend to also replace the globes/bulbs in the individual indicator/warning lights, you need to select the LED light colour to match the colour of the warning light(s), ie red LED for red warning light (LEDs are available in all of the require colours). Using white LEDs will give mixed/poor results. For the warning lights you should choose an LED which emits its light from the end of the LED, unlike those for the general instrument cluster illumination which are designed to disperse their light output laterally. The LED typically results in a more distinct warning light.

Do not use an LED in the Ignition warning light, this light forms part of the Alternator excitation circuit and relies on a conventional incandescent bulb (which passes current in both directions) for the Alternator to both excite correctly on start up and provide indication of a faulty/no charge condition during use. The LED is polarity sensitive allowing current to flow in one direction only. Rgds, DM.

[UKPhilTR7]

Oh I see what you mean now. Yes, I too noticed that when I had put it all together and fitted the dash back. They do still flash all OK when needed, but you can slightly see them now. I was thinking that it may be an issue with the way I put the dash pod back together more than the led’s. However, after reading “dmtrmp6” post above, I now see that it may be a bit more of an issue than that. I will look at it in time, but for now it is not too much of an issue and they only show a little. When I replace the individual smaller lights (choke, parking break, seatbelt, ect), I will look into doing the sealing of the gaps. However, for now I have to move on to other jobs 

I too read about not replacing the Ignition warning light, as this would result in the car not starting. I just hope that these little lights are not too bright as led’s. The last thing you want is to be blinded by your own dash indicator light flashing.