Classic dash bulbs

norseman · Mar 16, 2021

Hi guys.
As any Classic owner's on here know the instrument panel bulbs on these cars are not only pretty feeble but the RH side of the speedo seems to lack illumination, even when all the bulbs are working.
Has anyone replaced the standard bulbs with LED's & if so was it worth the effort ?

nb. I believe LED bulbs cannot be dimmed, but at my age that's not a problem

Snaggapuss · Mar 16, 2021

Just a quick note, LED bulbs can be dimmed, check out PowerfulUk, Ive seen a video of them dimming interior lights so reckon dash board lights should be possible.

locket · Mar 16, 2021

I changed all of mine to Leds and it makes a big difference.

Ratae · Mar 16, 2021

locket said:
I changed all of mine to Leds and it makes a big difference.

Worth knowing. Might have a play with mine.
ETA Where did you get them from?

locket · Mar 16, 2021

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/auto-illuminate-uk/

Kev12 · Mar 16, 2021

I redid my heater controls with cheap ebay LEDs and they do indeed dim

Ratae · Mar 16, 2021

locket said:
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/auto-illuminate-uk/

Thank you.

norseman · Mar 17, 2021

Many thanks for all your replies guys, I'll be making a move to LED's shortly.
Stay safe all.

JimS · Mar 18, 2021

The LED's need less current so the cars dimmer switch might not have enough range, also some LEDs have resistors built in to get around this

norseman · Mar 18, 2021

JimS said:
The LED's need less current so the cars dimmer switch might not have enough range, also some LEDs have resistors built in to get around this

No problem for me, I'm dim enough already

Seriously though I never dim the panel bulbs anyway, as long as the LED's improve the display clarity that's all I want. The back of the binnacle has to come off to attend to the speedo cable, so I thought it an ideal opportunity to replace the original glow worms.

JimS · Mar 18, 2021

norseman said:
No problem for me, I'm dim enough already
Seriously though I never dim the panel bulbs anyway, as long as the LED's improve the display clarity that's all I want. The back of the binnacle has to come off to attend to the speedo cable, so I thought it an ideal opportunity to replace the original glow worms.

They'll definitely improve clarity, over the years I've replaced the old bulbs with LEDs on all my cars.
The green colour ones are not too bad, the blues and whites can be a bit bright
I always liked that idea that saab had with the night panel switch that turned off everything apart from the speedo light

norseman · Mar 19, 2021

JimS said:
They'll definitely improve clarity, over the years I've replaced the old bulbs with LEDs on all my cars.
The green colour ones are not too bad, the blues and whites can be a bit bright

Thanks for that, sounds like the greens are my best bet then as I don't want to be distracted whilst driving ... I have enough problems with those oncoming ghastly searchlights that many modern cars are fitted with

Is the wattage of the LED panel bulbs the same as the originals ?

JimS · Mar 19, 2021

norseman said:
Thanks for that, sounds like the greens are my best bet then as I don't want to be distracted whilst driving ... I have enough problems with those oncoming ghastly searchlights that many modern cars are fitted with
Is the wattage of the LED panel bulbs the same as the originals ?

Very low power consumption but as bright or brighter light output than normal bulbs, if you have the binnacle out it's worth doing (check before reassembly as some of the LEDs will probably need turning around as polarity sensitive, unless you are very lucky

)

discool · Mar 19, 2021

norseman said:
Many thanks for all your replies guys, I'll be making a move to LED's shortly.
Stay safe all.

Does your vehicle fibre optic illumination still work?

norseman · Mar 19, 2021

discool said:
Does your vehicle fibre optic illumination still work?

Assume you mean the speedo needle, if so yes it does.
On my previous '89 RRC I had to re-insert the fibre & stick it with (I think, it's years ago) a tiny drop of clear silicone.

discool · Mar 19, 2021

norseman said:
Assume you mean the speedo needle, if so yes it does.
On my previous '89 RRC I had to re-insert the fibre & stick it with (I think, it's years ago) a tiny drop of clear silicone.

I also had to do that repair, there’s a fibre to the indicator and lighting storks if I remember correctly.

norseman · Mar 19, 2021

discool said:
I also had to do that repair, there’s a fibre to the indicator and lighting storks if I remember correctly.

I think you are right, though as far as I know never had a problem with either of those ... I say 'as far as I know' because I very rarely have cause to drive the Classic after dark.

Henry_b · Mar 19, 2021

I was tempted to angle my binnacle out the windscreen of my 91" as the binnacle lights were brighter than the headlights

Mine had LED lights on the interior, however they were a ghastly red colour..

The PO had very odd taste

tomcat59alan · Mar 20, 2021

Henry_b said:
I was tempted to angle my binnacle out the windscreen of my 91" as the binnacle lights were brighter than the headlights

Mine had LED lights on the interior, however they were a ghastly red colour..

The PO had very odd taste

To say nothing about the one he sold it too

norseman · Mar 20, 2021

Henry_b said:
I was tempted to angle my binnacle out the windscreen of my 91" as the binnacle lights were brighter than the headlights
Mine had LED lights on the interior, however they were a ghastly red colour.. The PO had very odd taste

Each to his/her own !
I retrofitted white LED's to my interior domes, world of difference in lighting the interior plus I don't need to worry about power consumption when enjoying a tailgate picnic ... maybe again this summer at a car/horse show?

Classic dash bulbs

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