The Ford Barn

terry · 12-09-2013, 10:00 AM

Are there led bulbs for dome and instrument panel on a '36? I see such bulbs advertised for taillights and turn signals. The old style bulbs
gave a candle power rating, but now days, only the amperage is mentioned.
How do I convert amperage to candle power? Also, the new bulb can't be
much bigger than the originals. Thanks for any help offered. Terry

blucar · 12-09-2013, 10:53 AM

If you have a brightness problem with the original style of interior/instrument lights, it could be that you have a voltage problem.. You may have poor grounding, body to chassis, chassis to engine, or your wiring could be to small.
If you still have a 6v system you have to make sure you have 6v size wire, not the smaller 12v type... Many people do not know that 6v systems have higher resistance than 12v systems..
Electricity is like water, i.e. small pipe small water, big pipe, big water.. This is one of basic principles of electrical current that was impressed upon us when I was in a U.S Army electronic school...

19Fordy · 12-09-2013, 11:03 AM

I bought tiny cool white LED bulbs and bases from this site:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/empty-bases-sockets/ and was able to make my own LED dome light replacement bulbs by using the base of my original bulb, a soldering gun, 60/40 solder and some JB Weld. I later bought bulb bases from that site to make it easier. I don't know if they sell the very tiny bulb bases needed for your instrument light, but you could carefully break the bulb and reuse your original base. Or, you could buy the very tiny LED bulbs and modify the plastic LED bulb base so that it fits into the existing hole of your instrument cluster. More "lumens" equals more light and they do not get hot as they are "cool." The plastic domelight lense does not get hot. You can compare the heat difference easily just by touching the bulbs with your finger or using an infra red temp gun. Huge difference in heat. Perhaps you could do the same. My system is 12V except I am using a CVR ( constant voltage reducer) to supply 6V to the fuel, temp and oil pressure gauges and 12V to the isolated BATT gauge by using a resistor to only that gauge. CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.

Old Henry · 12-09-2013, 11:53 AM

One other way I brightened my gauge lights was to remove the gauges and repaint the inside with bright gloss white paint where the light is diffused around the gauge to light it. Guages are noticeably brighter than before with the aged yellowed background.

Old Henry · 12-09-2013, 12:02 PM

For the instrument lights you'll need the smaller BA9 6V base here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/

If you're still 6 volts you're limited to these two here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/b...BA9S-6V,21,238:

My experience with LEDs is that they are very directional and do not radiate light evenly around them as an incadescent bulb does. So, if you want to try them, be sure to get ones that have multiple LEDs on all sides. If you're still 6 volt that gives you one choice: http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-bulb-4-led/6/ Even that one has all LEDs pointed one direction, not all around the bulb. Probably will still work better than the original dim bulbs. They provide a photo of gauges lit by this bulb:

flatheadfan · 12-09-2013, 12:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Terry-

I feel your pain! I have a '35 and a '36 and trying to read the dash gauges with original 6 cp bulbs was easier for me 60 years ago but now my eyes need all the help they can get. To make life simpler I swapped out the original bulbs for #209 (15 cp). They fit the bulb holder like original with no modifications. They do get hotter so you need to be careful with them and surrounding materials.

The second thing I did was to replace the plastic dash cover lenses on the sides of the gauges. Over time they lost their transparency and became light limiting. As a replacement I used some overhead projector plastic sheeting. This stuff is available from any stationary store in a variety of colors. A buck will buy you a lifetime supply.

Between the two improvements I can now easily read my dash gauges. Obviously, it is not as bright as a new car's dash lights but a good improvement over Henry's originals.

Hope this helps.

Tom

TagMan · 12-09-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Henry

For the instrument lights you'll need the smaller BA9 6V base here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Henry

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/filter/Cross_Reference_Number,BA9S-6V,21,238:

Excellent ! Thanks for the link.

19Fordy · 12-09-2013, 02:30 PM

Old Henry,
Thanks for posting that info. It sure will save me lots of tedious work next time I need instrument cluster bulbs.

terry · 12-10-2013, 10:56 AM

Lots of good ideas. 1940, some fine work you did. Henry, good links. I
wondered if that instrument panel had 4 of those led bulbs behind it to get that good effect. Tom, maybe I'll try that 209 bulb first and see what happens. Thanks fellas.

12-09-2013, 10:00 AM	#1
terry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 267	I want more light Are there led bulbs for dome and instrument panel on a '36? I see such bulbs advertised for taillights and turn signals. The old style bulbs gave a candle power rating, but now days, only the amperage is mentioned. How do I convert amperage to candle power? Also, the new bulb can't be much bigger than the originals. Thanks for any help offered. Terry

12-09-2013, 11:53 AM	#4
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: I want more light One other way I brightened my gauge lights was to remove the gauges and repaint the inside with bright gloss white paint where the light is diffused around the gauge to light it. Guages are noticeably brighter than before with the aged yellowed background. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

12-09-2013, 12:02 PM	#5
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: I want more light For the instrument lights you'll need the smaller BA9 6V base here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/ba9s-ba7s/ If you're still 6 volts you're limited to these two here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/b...BA9S-6V,21,238: My experience with LEDs is that they are very directional and do not radiate light evenly around them as an incadescent bulb does. So, if you want to try them, be sure to get ones that have multiple LEDs on all sides. If you're still 6 volt that gives you one choice: http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-bulb-4-led/6/ Even that one has all LEDs pointed one direction, not all around the bulb. Probably will still work better than the original dim bulbs. They provide a photo of gauges lit by this bulb: __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness Last edited by Old Henry; 12-09-2013 at 12:15 PM.*

12-09-2013, 12:03 PM	#6
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: I want more light Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Terry- I feel your pain! I have a '35 and a '36 and trying to read the dash gauges with original 6 cp bulbs was easier for me 60 years ago but now my eyes need all the help they can get. To make life simpler I swapped out the original bulbs for #209 (15 cp). They fit the bulb holder like original with no modifications. They do get hotter so you need to be careful with them and surrounding materials. The second thing I did was to replace the plastic dash cover lenses on the sides of the gauges. Over time they lost their transparency and became light limiting. As a replacement I used some overhead projector plastic sheeting. This stuff is available from any stationary store in a variety of colors. A buck will buy you a lifetime supply. Between the two improvements I can now easily read my dash gauges. Obviously, it is not as bright as a new car's dash lights but a good improvement over Henry's originals. Hope this helps. Tom

12-09-2013, 02:30 PM	#8
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,942	Re: I want more light Old Henry, Thanks for posting that info. It sure will save me lots of tedious work next time I need instrument cluster bulbs.

12-09-2013, 10:53 AM	#2
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: I want more light If you have a brightness problem with the original style of interior/instrument lights, it could be that you have a voltage problem.. You may have poor grounding, body to chassis, chassis to engine, or your wiring could be to small. If you still have a 6v system you have to make sure you have 6v size wire, not the smaller 12v type... Many people do not know that 6v systems have higher resistance than 12v systems.. Electricity is like water, i.e. small pipe small water, big pipe, big water.. This is one of basic principles of electrical current that was impressed upon us when I was in a U.S Army electronic school... __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

12-10-2013, 10:56 AM	#9
terry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 267	Re: I want more light Lots of good ideas. 1940, some fine work you did. Henry, good links. I wondered if that instrument panel had 4 of those led bulbs behind it to get that good effect. Tom, maybe I'll try that 209 bulb first and see what happens. Thanks fellas.