Replacing 308QV Dash Lights

Hi All,
I would like know if anyone knows what size and type bulbs I need to replace my Dash lights.
I was told a 9M or 7M and was also told the the tach lights are push in (2) and the rest are twist.
Does this sound correct ?
I do not like the brightness on my dash at night so I was going to replace with the new LED
type that gives off no heat and was told are much brighter,
Has anyone tried this ??
How many total bulbs are there to replace ??
If anyone has any tips or opinions it would be much appreciated
Thanks
Captglen

 

Never tried LEDs, just 'hotwire' the dash lights so the rheostat is out of the circuit and the lights are very noticeably brighter.

 

IF ......

the 328 instrument cluster is roughly the same as the 308's there are numerous threads on the subject and the replacement bulbs necessary. IF you can confirm they are the same and yet cannot find the thread to order let me know, and I'll get the info for you (will take a day or two).

It is not (usually) too hard but the procedure can be VERY fustrating.

If the cars are not the same, sorry for the suggestion.


P.S. Everybody I know of to-date has given up on the instrument LED-lighted idea, as you need the incandecent "light every direction" design to correctly light up the gauges (in a 308) and the lazer-like output of LEDS are actually much dimmer in that application. The lights MUST illuminate the ENTIRE INSIDE of the instrument (again, 308 design) and LEDs just won't work.

 

Many thanks for the info. I'm just thinking about changing the instruments bulbs for LEDs, so I forget it.

Thanks

 

These work very well in my Mondial t's instruments as night illumination. http://www.eliteled.com/products/lightbulbs/ba9basedbulb.html

The "warm white" is the key. No one else has them, and they do light up in a broad pattern.

 

I upgraded the lamps in my 308qv a few years ago- I'm happy with the result. (see photos), not super bright but easy to see at night and I didn't even have to bypass the dimmer.
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Steve, that really made a huge diff, looks excellent.
Where did you buy the lamp? Thanks.

 

Mike,

I posted the source I used in another thread of the same vein. I'll see if I can find it.

Were not expensive and came in packets of ten.

Edit: Found the thread. Post 11.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185212&highlight=bulbs

 

Same wattage I'm assuming?

 

Mike: It was a few years ago but I think it was at Checker auto, most auto parts stores should have them. (Napa, Autozone, Advance auto etc)

 

* No, slightly higher wattage, that's why they are brighter. Not a big load on the circuit, so don't worry about it, as long as you have good(Birdman style) fuseblocks.

 

Thanks, that was what I was wondering. And yes, I do (that was the first "mod"!)

 

Hi Fchatters.

I'm working on a very complete "Dash lights how to". I will explain everything with pics, references and details. It's a big work but "someone has to do the dirty work"!!
As soon as I finish upgrading my dash lights I will try to complete the "how to" manual. And I'm trying with leds too. I'm waiting from some leds that I've bought on eBay. For sure you will be surprised. I hope!

Cheers

 

Antonio,

ROCK-ON !!!! Fix It and Post It -- PLEASE.

 

i'll wait for you to publish. I cannot wait to upgrade the bulbs as their current performance like a 25 year old .....

 

I went down the LED replacement road a short distance before giving up. My frustrations come from the LED suppliers treating those bubble pack products available at Shucks-AutoZone etc or internet as a impulse commodity product rather than a serious component. By serious product I mean those having important physical and electrical parameters completely characterized. I.e. no data sheets are available. Light output angle is critical, as it color temperature. I understand the difficulty of a competing against no-name Chinese backroom suppliers, but until an auto mfgr forces the situation our (my) hands are tied...or severely restricted as an engineer.

I am inclined to think a good route to dramatically improving readability or gauges would be replacing the entire faceplate of the gauges with translucent white plastic material with opaque numbers which would lend to backlighting the dial with either LEDs or incandescents. This technique is quite successful in many modern cars.

Since many guys have replaced 85 mph speedo faces. perhaps one of these will find it's way to one of us to experiment getting an alternative material.

 

Calm down.
I think that it will be very interesting to wait. Check this image: the half left is the led illuminated dial. At the right the old incandescent bulb illuminated part of the dial... More to come -I'm waiting more leds-.
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looks like you might be on the right track,I like it

 

I like the "warm white" better. They are hard to find, but the link above has them although they are currently back-ordered. I too will post some pictures soon. One thing: for the warning lights, get the LED in the same color output as that of the lens. They are a lot brighter that way.

Some warning lights don't extinguish when they should due to the lower resistance of LEDs. I am working on a solution for that. Can any electronic engineers make a suggestion?

 

Antonio,

In the pic above, the LED side seems to have a light/dark banding effect across it from top to bottom (bands running horizontal). The incandecent side does not apprear to have it.

Is that just the photo or did the camera catch an effect that is indeed there (as I suspect)?

Also, what do you do for the speedo and tach as they both use very different bulb designs.

 

Hi mwr4440.
I think that must be an effect. I see all the speedo properly in the dark. Also, the led is lighting properly all the speedo. In fact, in the led side you can see -down- the left arrow of the side marker indicator, arrow that you can't see on the incandescent bulb side.
On the tacho I will not replace the red warning lights indicator -brakes-, because with standard bulbs this ones are really bright -no need to leds-. But I will change the high beam indicator -as in speedo turn signal and lights on indicators-.

The leds that I've bought they have an inner resistance, so maybe there will be no problem with the overall electric calculation. And about colour, I've ordered them all white. I will order some of them in green and blue. The leds I've used are cool white. With warm white the dash light colour is less blue and more green.

About the tacho lighting I'm waiting for the new leds, with the BA9s bayonet style. I found a new ultrabright ones, and I expect that they work properly in the dash. Next week, the final answer...

 

Who is the distributor of the LEDs with inner resistance? Are they available in micro wedge base? Amber color?

 

Hi randyleepublic.

Check eBay for LED. There ara a lot of them. Also on these addresses:

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/automotive-bulbs-501194t10w5w-10mm-wedge-c-101_129.html
http://www.automotiveled.com/
http://www.ledshoponline.com/automotive_leds.htm
http://www.eautoworks.com/html/light_bulbs.cfm
http://www.led-shopper.com/showroom.cfm/tid/1/gid/5/curr_code/USD/Show_Type/W
http://www.lightlens.com/ledbulbs.htm
http://www.led1.de/shop/index.php?cName=led-car-bulbs-new-c-150&xploidID=20c6854643435dddc3377357925b1558
http://www.ledautomotive.com/OrderInfo/
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm


Just for fun

http://www.ledrise.com/product_info.php?info=p478_Cree-XP-E-LED--Q4-bin--Star--White--170lm--110--176-.html&XTCsid=3b874847f7ed77cd518f067f76a74014
http://www.led-tech.de/en/index.html
http://www.led-tech.de/en/LED-Products/LED-Kits-c_21_22.html
http://www.bsunlight.com/moto_indicator.htm

 

Thanks for all those links. I have already bought from some of those folks.

My question was specifically referring to the ones with "internal resistance" you mention. I thought that you meant that they had special resistance for automotive applications. I realize now that you are referring to the "standard" resistor that these all incorporate. My problem is with one circuit: my Bilstein shock controller warning light. It is a ticklish circuit that, when it is "off", extinguishes an incandescent bulb, makes an LED get dim, and, if one attempts to test the "off" state voltage, goes back to being "on". Bottom line: I don't think I can use an LED on that one. Dern it!

 

Antonio,

Stop tickling us and just give us the No ****, straight poop, when you get if figured out.

You could become an F-Chat HERO here.