help with gauge lighting
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help with gauge lighting
I've got a question for you guys. I've got a voltmeter with backlight lit up by a single blue LED. It's really dim compared to the rest of the blue dash lights, so I tried to put a second one in and ruined everything. What else could I do? Has anyone tried those 194 LED bulbs from superbrightleds.com that have like 4 or 6 leds per bulb?
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Had both the 4- and 6- LED bulbs from both superbrightleds and autolumination.com. I had every single one burn out except the ones that are currently in my sidemarkers. I've concluded that as long as they don't get wet or even the slightest bit exposed to moisture (like corner bulbs can be) they should hold up...maybe.
But their beam is very focused, you'll definitely get hot spots. I never tried scuffing them to see if it would improve the situation, but if you scuff them you kill a bit of intensity. At least they'll match your dash lights.
But their beam is very focused, you'll definitely get hot spots. I never tried scuffing them to see if it would improve the situation, but if you scuff them you kill a bit of intensity. At least they'll match your dash lights.
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Okay, I ordered one of each and will sand the leds down to spread light around. Of course leds don't like getting wet, but they should have done a better job sealing them. I'll post pics if it works out when I get them.
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The problem I have is no space to work in the voltmeter. One LED goes in fine, but try two even and it has a hard time going where you want it. The voltmeter is designed very well. There's a light guide directly in front of the bulb to light the needle, and a filter around the numbers to light them up evenly. I think this might work, assuming the leds I buy are the same blue as radioshack leds.
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Originally Posted by TeLLy
Had both the 4- and 6- LED bulbs from both superbrightleds and autolumination.com. I had every single one burn out except the ones that are currently in my sidemarkers. I've concluded that as long as they don't get wet or even the slightest bit exposed to moisture (like corner bulbs can be) they should hold up...maybe.
But their beam is very focused, you'll definitely get hot spots. I never tried scuffing them to see if it would improve the situation, but if you scuff them you kill a bit of intensity. At least they'll match your dash lights.
But their beam is very focused, you'll definitely get hot spots. I never tried scuffing them to see if it would improve the situation, but if you scuff them you kill a bit of intensity. At least they'll match your dash lights.
IF they are properly current limited, that is.
Gearbox, try some of the new ULTRA bright LED's, maybe a Luxeon. Insane!
Just make sure you get the right value resistor in there, or it will fry.
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I used a higher ohm resistor with the other dash leds, just to be safe. I'll try the new bulbs since they're bought already, but where can I find those brighter leds/luxeons?
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