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05-06-2020, 11:59 PM | #1 |
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Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Is there a way to backlight the speedometer and/or gas gauge? When I turn on the dash light it is distracting because it reflects off the windows at night and is even worse if it is raining. Does anyone have any good ideas that would make these gauges more useful at night?
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05-07-2020, 12:55 AM | #2 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
It would be kinda hard to back light the gas gauge as it is screwed into the tank. You might be able to install a bulb behind the face above the speed indicator so it could be illuminated. For checking the gas, maybe a flashlight would work to check. Are you saying in the rain the gauges are fogging up?
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05-07-2020, 01:58 AM | #3 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
i turned the light off when i didn't need it. Put red cellophane over the bulb helped a bit. Not backlit but not as distracting.
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<Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable |
05-07-2020, 03:47 AM | #4 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
I just turn the light on when I need it.
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05-07-2020, 06:29 AM | #5 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
If you are running 6 volts, maybe a 12v dash light bulb will reduce brightness and strong reflection.
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05-07-2020, 08:00 AM | #6 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
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05-07-2020, 08:31 AM | #7 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
You could drop a flashlight in the gas tank although I wouldn’t recommend it.
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05-07-2020, 08:55 AM | #8 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
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05-07-2020, 07:39 PM | #9 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
You will think it is too dim at first, but once your eyes adjust to it, you can see the instruments just fine.
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05-07-2020, 08:49 PM | #10 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
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05-07-2020, 09:54 PM | #11 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
I would like to get a LED bulb so it would get so hot.
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05-08-2020, 09:02 AM | #12 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
LED bulbs come in bright, brighter and nuclear. Use the #67, it won't get very hot at 6V.
No bulb will get hot unless you leave it on all the time. Turn it back off after you check your gauges. Last edited by Badpuppy; 05-08-2020 at 09:08 AM. |
05-08-2020, 09:30 AM | #13 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
If you use a #67 12 volt, 3 cp tail light bulb in the instrument light on a 6 volt car, it will not get hot. You can leave it on all the time at night and not burn your fingers turning it off. It gives a nice glow on the instruments.
If you have converted your car to 12 volts (), then you use a 24 volt 3 cp tail light bulb in there, bulb number 1251, to get the same soft glow. They are kind of hard to find. Try ordering from your local NAPA, or order online.
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05-08-2020, 03:12 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
I am running 12V and I tried the 24V bulb you suggested some time ago. Total waste of time as that bulb barely made the filament even glow! Instead, I replaced it with a 12V LED bulb which works great with no heat. |
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05-08-2020, 03:20 PM | #15 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
I guess it may depend on the style of dash light, the '28-29 or the '30-31. I use a 'soft warm' LED in my '30 and it works fine. I imagine if you didn't have the cover on it, it may be a different story. As mngreen said, no heat.
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05-08-2020, 04:49 PM | #16 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
I will admit, it takes a few minutes to get used to the dim light on the instruments. Maybe your electrical connection or ground was not really good. LEDs take much less current so are less impacted by a bad connection.
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05-08-2020, 05:07 PM | #17 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
No bad ground or bad connection---the incandescent 12V bulb that I originally had in there burned bright and HOT (for the last 40 years).
12V LED bulb now burns bright and COOL! 24V bulb
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05-08-2020, 08:50 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
Joe B |
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05-09-2020, 10:07 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Quote:
Anyway. If people find LEDs are too bright, i find colouring them in with a 'sharpy' (felt tip pen in my country) reduces the brightness quite well. Add extra layers of ink if you need it duller. Also good idea.
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<Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable |
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05-10-2020, 12:05 AM | #20 |
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Re: Lighting for speedometer and gas gauge
Which LED bulb did you use?
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