LED Instrument Lights

[TX82FIAT]

You are gong to like the LED lights for the instrament panel. No doubt. the only dissapointment was the clock. The light in the clock is set behind the internal clock mechanism and therefore the only instrament on the dash that does not fully light up is the clock.

[SLOSpider]

You are gong to like the LED lights for the instrament panel. No doubt. the only dissapointment was the clock. The light in the clock is set behind the internal clock mechanism and therefore the only instrament on the dash that does not fully light up is the clock.

For sale LED bulb for clock.

[SLOSpider]

Damn, I should have counted 3 times. Your order list shows 5 led for the instrument lighting but there are 7 bulbs. I counted before ordering and must have missed a gauge because it really takes 7 + 1 for the clock if you change the housing.

2- speedo
2-Tach
1-oil
1-fuel
1-temp
1-clock (need to change to 194 base - recommended)

Also I ordered the BA9S-WHP for the clock but its too big. When trying to install it stopped so I went to pull it back out and came apart in 2 pieces, 6 bucks gone. Instead I would change the bulb housing over to a regular 194 push in style. Last night I tried both in the socket and they both lit up equally good. Saves from having a different bulb. I have some of those sockets as Im sure others have dozens. With a small screw driver you can easily switch out the socket and wire to the connector.

Plus the special one for the clock which I hear is not great so probably just run the stock one. Also left all the indicator lights with stock 194's as they are not on all the time any ways why spend the money. Im on dash refinishing 2.0 and growing impatient as I want to see it all done. One nice thing is the LEDs are marked +/- so you know which way to put the bulb in. Tight fight too but they went in. Test one with 9v battery and worked.

[SLOSpider]

Ok so I got the other bulbs in and as stated removed the clock base and switched it to a standard 194 base from another dash. Works MUCH better. Here are some pics of it being tested with my motorcycle battery tender on the kitchen counter. Yes ladies Im single so I can do these things in the kitchen

[westy64]

Anyway, at 4:30 am no wife would know what you do in the kitchen....

[divace73]

Just digging up an old thread here, and have been contemplating looking at LED replacement for my dash again. The results look good thus far. I know when I tried many years ago they were not just up to scratch but they have come such a looong way since then.

Has anybody done this conversion more recently with any new updates or advice?

[SLOSpider]

May 2013 not soon enough for you

[toplessexpat]

I was entertaining LED bulbs in my instruments - actually - I was entertaining completely new instruments at one point (but deabused myself of that idea!).

Pros -
- brighter
- less power draw (but seriously... how much power do you need?)

Cons -
- lose the dimming function, so single brightness (and that's bright! - but that's the objective right?)

Sooo... I like being able to dim my dash lights (with two independent switches until I removed the extra rheostat for the hazard switch!). On a night drive with no really other lighting around, it's good to turn down the clusters.... but I did want them brighter in general when they were turned up. In the end I just did a good job of disassembling and cleaning out all my instruments. An Ultrasonic Bath is a really great investment . Then fit nice new bulbs. Coupled with this I've got a 95A alternator so there's plenty of juice running around the electrical system - and they work like a charm, and can dim when I need them.

Just my 2c.

A

[spider2081]

Correct LED's operate on approx 3 volts and can not be dimmed.

How ever I ordered LED replacement bulbs that actually have 4 LED's mounted in the base. They are a bulb 194 replacement. I was surprised to find they dim nicely over the voltage range of about 15-4 volts. Not only that they are not polarity conscious I could put the bulb in the socket either way and it worked the same. It appears if the LED is a bulb replacement the manufacturer has designed something more than just an LED.

I didn't need the dimming because I used them as side lights on my 1981 when I converted the sidelights to signal lights.

[divace73]

Correct LED's operate on approx 3 volts and can not be dimmed.

How ever I ordered LED replacement bulbs that actually have 4 LED's mounted in the base. They are a bulb 194 replacement. I was surprised to find they dim nicely over the voltage range of about 15-4 volts. Not only that they are not polarity conscious I could put the bulb in the socket either way and it worked the same. It appears if the LED is a bulb replacement the manufacturer has designed something more than just an LED.

I didn't need the dimming because I used them as side lights on my 1981 when I converted the sidelights to signal lights.

where did you order them from?

[toplessexpat]

So, I need to trim the bottom of the rheostat range to be the lowest level that the LED will light at? That sounds like a Sunday afternoon task once I've gotten through all the other things I need to do!

[spider2081]

here is the link to the web site I purchased my LED bulbs. Scroll down the page to the 4 LED 194 LED bulb.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/search/l ... ge%20bulb/

Hope this helps.

[ClarkTheShark]

Alright guys - I ended up also discovering that fiat reversed the polarity on the right rear tail lights and brake lights.

I had already ordered 2 dozen 1156 bulbs to replace the for the entire car and have some spares. I decided to make the LEDS work without buying the expensive bi-polarity leds. I was able to disassemble the super cheap Chinese made LEDS and reverse the wires. After that, all I have to do is super glue is back together being careful not to create a direct short. once its glued, its finished (and will only work on the right side of the car.)

It baffles me as to why Fiat did this. Maybe the engineers did this bit on a Friday.

[donerehart]

here is the link to the web site I purchased my LED bulbs. Scroll down the page to the 4 LED 194 LED bulb.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/search/l ... ge%20bulb/

Hope this helps.

Is there any good reason why you wouldn't want to go with the 6 LED 194 bulb for the instrument panel?

[spider2081]

Its been a while since I played with the LED's bulb replacements. I did not install LED's for dash lights.

I believe I had to use the 4 LED instead of the 6 LED bulbs substitutes because the 6 LED assemblies would not fit into the opening in the plastic lens of the side marker lights. The arrangement of the individual LED's makes the 6 LED assembly greater diameter than the 4. The bases are the same.