Classic dash bulbs

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norseman

Well-Known Member
Posts
3,135
Location
Essex - UK
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 ;)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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 :mad:
Is the wattage of the LED panel bulbs the same as the originals ?
 
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 :mad:
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 :D)
 
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.
 
I was tempted to angle my binnacle out the windscreen of my 91" as the binnacle lights were brighter than the headlights :cool::D

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

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