|
dash light blue diffusers fried
#1330807
11/04/12 08:11 PM
11/04/12 08:11 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
|
Got the gauge cluster pulled out of my 72 Road Runner to replace the busted speedometer. While I have it apart I plan to replace all the type 57 bulbs with "white" BA9S LEDs.
Once I got it apart I discoved about half of the blue globes are melted, charred, cracked or seriously faded.
Trying to decide the best way to deal with them. I figure my options are:
Replace the globes (assuming I can get new ones).
Leave the old ones and stick with the original plan.
Remove all the old ones and install white or blue LEDs.
I've dug through some past threads about LED replacements, but I see no mention of anyone ever scrapping their globes. I know they act as difusers as well as color filters, so I want to make sure removing them won't result in uneven light on my gauges. WAY too much work involved not to get it right the first time.
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue globes fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330808
11/04/12 08:54 PM
11/04/12 08:54 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
|
Guess I should also ask where I might be able to get new diffusers.
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue globes fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330809
11/04/12 09:32 PM
11/04/12 09:32 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY
Truck Nut
|
Truck Nut
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
|
Omit the blue globes if your going to use LEDs. Get a LED in the color of your choice that has about 4 or 5 chips in it. A single chip LED isnt bright enough.. If you still want the blue globes I have a couple you can have..I get my LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com but I see some good deals on that u bid site..
I am truckless..
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue globes fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330812
11/04/12 11:34 PM
11/04/12 11:34 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805
ky hills
thehemikid
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805
ky hills
|
...fwiw...from the Daytona-Superbrid club pdf
Last edited by thehemikid; 11/04/12 11:37 PM.
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue globes fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330815
11/05/12 01:18 AM
11/05/12 01:18 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,468
So Cal
Sinitro
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,468
So Cal
|
Quote:
Quote:
Omit the blue globes if your going to use LEDs. Get a LED in the color of your choice that has about 4 or 5 chips in it. A single chip LED isnt bright enough.. If you still want the blue globes I have a couple you can have..I get my LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com but I see some good deals on that u bid site..
I'm actually worried the SMD type might be too bright if I go with a five chip. Was thinking the 4 LED ones would be about right.
These guys carry the Blue globes..
http://www.chargerspecialties.com/wiring.htm
Just my $0.02... 
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue globes fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330817
11/05/12 05:54 AM
11/05/12 05:54 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,827
Castlegar, BC, Canada
That AMC Guy
master
|
master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,827
Castlegar, BC, Canada
|
The dash resistor doesn't really effect LED's much. I've put them in my blue Hornet. LED's will work full tilt as long as they have 12v going to them. The range of the resistor doesn't effect them very much. They'll go from very bright to bright, but will never go as low as light bulbs did.
Bloody Mary, Full of Vodka, Blessed art thou among cocktails....
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue diffusers fried
[Re: 471Magnum]
#1330820
11/05/12 01:39 PM
11/05/12 01:39 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,096
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
|
Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,096
Irving, TX
|
Cool whire LEDs are the answer.
I really like mine in the Imperial and my D250. I used the stock blue bulb covers. They dim just like the old bulbs but get much brighter for better visibility at night.
The original bulbs were so dim in my truck that I couldn't read the gauges.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue diffusers fried
[Re: feets]
#1330821
11/08/12 01:23 PM
11/08/12 01:23 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
|
I got my LEDs yesterday from SuperBrightLED.com. I headed straight out to the garage to install them.
First I installed the green ones for the T-sig indicators. Next I installed the ones for the heater controls.
Finally, I installed the seven for the instruments. I got most of them installed when I came across one that just wouldn't stay in the socket. My investigation determined that the lugs on the metal base had pushed in. This probably occurred when I was trying to get the bulb clocked into the socket. The metal on the bayonet base is actually so soft that you can dent it with your finger nail using the lightest pressure.
At least two of the LEDs bulbs were damaged. I’m concerned the others might be a bit loose in the sockets. If they do fall out of the sockets, with the diffuser globes now removed, they are going to fall into the instrument panel. Major PITA to retrieve.
I contacted Superbright and they have acknowledged this as being an issue they've been having with their supplier (in Taiwan). They are sending me replacements at no charge.
I’m thinking about putting a dab of hot glue between the bulb and socket for some insurance. That’s a bond that I can break pretty easily should I need to replace bulb.
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue diffusers fried
[Re: 340SHORTY]
#1330823
11/08/12 04:52 PM
11/08/12 04:52 PM
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,445
Maryland
Dads426
pro stock
|
pro stock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,445
Maryland
|
Be careful using white LEDs with a color diffuser. LEDs are direct emitting; most white LEDs are blue LEDs with a phosphorous coating to produce white light. The amount of light that will pass through a blue diffuser is miminal (see below). Tri-color white LEDs have a different color spectrum. Talk to the vendor about your intentions and experiment with the diffusers before installing.
2012 422 Allstars NSS Champion
2013 422 Allstars NSS Champion
2014 422 Allstars NSS Champion
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue diffusers fried
[Re: Dads426]
#1330824
11/08/12 05:32 PM
11/08/12 05:32 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
|
Very good point. I did remove my diffusers.
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
|
|
|
Re: dash light blue diffusers fried
[Re: dobie]
#1330826
11/09/12 11:44 AM
11/09/12 11:44 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
|
While waiting for my replacement bulbs, I went ahead and reassembled the dash. I re-installed two of the incandescent bulbs on the RH side of the dash and left the radio out so I can swap them tomorrow when the new ones arrive.
Powered it up and it looks great! Head light switch with new dimmer is working perfectly.
The lower powered green LEDs I installed for the turn signal indicators work great too. Not too bright.
Once I get the last two LEDs installed I'll post a photo.
-Jim
I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.
Currently Mopar-less
|
|
|
|
|
