P38A LEDs Behind the instrument panel

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Montyjohn

Well-Known Member
Posts
227
Location
UK
Hello, the previous owner of my car fitted LEDs behind the instrument panel.

Most of them you can't tell the difference form standard, but behind the display message screen thingy they look a bit naff. The picture makes it look worse than it really is, but you can still see the individual bulbs and makes it hard to read.

Other than going back to standard bulbs, does anyone know what to look for in an LED to make the light spread out evenly?
Also, the green kinda reminds me of an old VHS player, and I wouldn't mind changing it all to white whilst I'm at it. Is this just a matter of choosing white bulbs, or is there some green plastic in there that dictates the colour?

IMG_20220916_114433959.jpg
 
It has been done, I'm just not sure exactly how
https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/interior-led-replacements.45822/

Looks pretty
https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/interior-led-replacements.45822/#lg=thread-45822&slide=2

It seems that some of the bulbs control the needle colour etc. so you can get some pretty need effects.
But the question still remains on how to make it diffuse correctly.
By their nature, LED's are a bright spot of light, a suitable diffuser is needed and perhaps a lower intensity of output from the LED's which can be achieved with a higher value resistor. It looks like the LED's may be ultra bright white LED's, maybe fitting green LED's may work better. If you look at the HEVAC display, there is a single bulb with a reflector and diffuser.
I have a red LED illuminating the clock on one P38, works fine but i have never bothered to go any further.
 
I converted my display to LED. Looks great, except for the message centre as you say. I took them out and put standard globes back in. The combination works well for me.
 
It has been done, I'm just not sure exactly how
https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/interior-led-replacements.45822/

Looks pretty
https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/interior-led-replacements.45822/#lg=thread-45822&slide=2

It seems that some of the bulbs control the needle colour etc. so you can get some pretty need effects.
But the question still remains on how to make it diffuse correctly.

That was Marty. I've seen his (Thor) and they do look good. I seem to recall he put dimmable ones in but I struggle to remember any more details. As you can see he decided on a colour change but iirc he has a jet black car and seats so it works well. Perhaps the LEDS he used have a wider viewing angle?
 
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