• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

How to: Brighter gauge face with LED’s.

AUSMHLY

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
How to: Brighter gauge face with LED’s.
The following will address Negative ground and Positive ground.
This was done on my 1964 BJ8.

Here’s what I came up with to help illuminate our dash gauges better than the stock 2.2 watt filament bulb. This is just my solution, other views may vary, but who cares about them anyway. You’re reading my mine right now. I rock! (Disclaimer: I don’t really rock, others may chime in with why not to do this modification, or why I don’t rock. Most of all, please be careful).

First things first: If you have not already done so, put an inline fuse on the back of your dash light toggle switch. Before touching any of the wires, disconnect the power.

The stock filament bulb, a 2.2 watt, gives off a somewhat dim yellow glow, what’s called a warm light. There is only one bulb in the rear of each gauge to light up the dial face. A good portion of the light is blocked by what ever mechanism is in the gauge. And unlike newer cars where the face is illuminated from behind, the light in our gauges has to shine through the 1/8 inch gap between the cylinder circumference and the gauge face. This is the case for the oil/water, speedometer and tachometer gauges. The fuel gauge requires the light to reflect off the back face, then forward to the front face, not through a 1/8 inch gap on the edge of the dial.

I tried an 8 watt filament bulb. It was brighter, but still mostly only the top most portion of the face. The problem was the bulb got too hot. And we don’t need any more heat in the drivers foot well, do we.

The best solution I found (again, other views may very, blah, blah, blah) was to use an LED. For this project, I tried many different types of LED’s. It needed to be as bright as possible (cool white) and illuminate as much sideways and forward as possible, like filament bulbs do. (LED’s like to focus their beams forward, which doesn’t help with our situation).

Negative ground:

If you have converted your car to a negative ground, this will be a plug and play.
Replace all (8) original E10 filament screw bulbs with the E10 Superstar led from https://autolumination.com/otherleds.htm

Replacing the bulbs behind the green directionals, will allow you to actually see them flash in the daylight. No, I’m not kidding. However a slight amount of current will bleed thru to the other indicator when in use. It’s a very small amount and it may not bother you. You can fix that by installing a small 100 ohm load equalizer across the circuit to absorb the energy. That will make the indicator led’s stop lighting when they are not supposed to. See this link: https://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm

Once you have replaced all (8) bulbs with led’s and patted yourself on the back for surviving all the contortions you just put your body though, turn on the dash lights and marvel at how talented you are. Maybe while your calling all your friends and neighbors over to look at how your gauges light up, you noticed that the speedometer and tachometer dials don’t light up at the bottom as bright as the top does. Some will say, I can live with that or maybe you’re like me and think I got a little more contorting left in me. Plus I get to spend a little more Healey mad money on (2) more E10 Superstar led’s I’ll need.

Remove the speedometer and tachometer gauges. Place the gauge face down. You should now be looking at the back, with the black plastic bulb socket at 6 o’clock. Drill a hole the same size as the other bulb holes as close as you can to the left of the black plastic bulb socket. (Either remove the face from the gauges first or use a powerful vacuum to help keep the metal shavings from entering the gauge as you drill. I highly recommend taking the time to remove the face. If you do, spray the inside of both barrels gloss white. It will help brighten up the light). Make sure to leave enough room between the two holes for the bulb holders to clip in. (SEE PHOTO). Buy two more E10 sockets and splice the center wire into the red with white stripe wire that goes to the stock socket. You should be able to buy these identical sockets from British Victoria or British Car Specialists. (Hard to find the E10 socket, most supply the bayonet style). Now put it all back together and let your friends/family who are now wearing their sunglasses as they stare at your gauges, pat you on your back. For you too now rock!

Positive Ground:

Led’s require a negative ground to work. To get around that in your positive ground car, you will need to isolate each socket. Here’s what I did. Others may have a simpler or safer way of doing it.

You can not use the stock E10 bulb holders.
I tried the wedge type and the bayonet type. The wedge type did not lock the bulb in as does a bayonet. We don’t want the bulb falling out of the socket into the gauge after we take a hit from that pack of cigarettes in the road, do we.

You will need (12) bayonet barrel socket holders.
Here is a link to where I purchased some.
https://www.egauges.com/vdo_indA.asp?PN=ATM-2357

You’ll need (12) BA9s bayonet HID white high power led bulbs.
Here is a link to where I purchased some.
https://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/4481035/vpcsid/0/SFV/32481

Once you have the sockets, you'll need to isolate them. I found heat-shrink tubing works better than electrical tape. Your local hardware store or Radio Shack may stock the size you need. The size should just slide over the socket barrel. Insert the bulb into the socket and heat-shrink from the top edge of the bulb, to the bottom of the barrel socket holder. The more area you cover, the less chance for an accidental grounding error. (SEE PHOTO).

You’re off to the hardware store again. Grab the tachometer gauge and the bayonet socket holder that now has the LED bulb heat-shrink-ed in place. You’ll need (6) rubber grommets. Grommet thickness may vary, so try a few to find the one that fits the hole and makes a snug fit with the socket. I found the right size at Orchard Supply Hardware. (4) Grommets will fit into the top and the new bottom hole of the tachometer and speedometer gauges. (2) will fit into the directional housing cylinders. (SEE PHOTO).

The fuel and oil/water gauge have a metal tube with four slits in it that the socket wedges into. Widen the opening end of the tube a little, so as to lessen the chance of cutting or ripping the shrink wrap, which is acting as the isolator. (Take care not to let any metal part of the bulb (the very end of the bulb) or socket touch any metal part of your car.) Or you’ll be testing your new inline fuse. Once the sockets are pushed firmly in the gauges, they will stay in place. Try removing one. Care should be taken when removing or installing. I would recommend using your power cut off switch in the boot when ever you need to get to these bulbs, or work on anything electrical. Oh, and don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street and wash your hands before dinner.

Now... the final step. How to actually wire up the negative ground sockets into your positive ground car. Carefully.....ok then, my work here is done. Good luck!

First, cut the power off. All bayonet sockets will be using two wires, even though some of the original sockets had only one wire. All gauges will be wired the same way.
The center wire from the bayonet socket will be spliced into the center wire from the original E10 socket. The outer grounding wire from the bayonet socket can be attached to any metal of the car. A convenient place is the bolts on the back of any gauge that has a black wire grounded to it. You can either cut the original E10 sockets out and replace with the bayonet sockets or leave the original E10 sockets there and splice into their wires. Don’t forget to isolate the original sockets if left hanging under the dash.

Congratulations!
Seems you made it this far without nodding off.

This project may take a little time, but the reward of clearly seeing your dials at night will be worth it. Plus now in the daylight you will be able to see the directional…. that has been blinking for the last 5 miles. And you thought those other drivers were just waving at the coolness that is you, because you have an awesome car.
Happy Motoring!
Roger
 
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

THANK YOU!!!!!! I've been looking forward to your instructions, and here they are on Sat. morning bright and early. Best news for me is I've got a negative ground, so I get the easier solution. I can't wait to do it, my whole dash is coming out next week, so that's the time.

Thanks again, your gauges look great!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thankyousign.gif
 

Lin

Jedi Knight
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Thanks, Roger!
Very helpful instructions. I will be using the LEDs on my BT7, although I do not have the same directional light issue.

Cheers,
Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye
 

Ed_K

Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Roger,

You Rock !

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

Ed
 
B

BUNDYRUM

Guest
Guest
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Thank you Roger.

A very helpfull article.

I can see me doing this soon.

bundyrum
 

Billm

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

OK- this is great information, even for us Sprite owners but I have a question- can LED's be dimmed? Bright lights are great but OCASIONALLY we might want them a bit dimmer.
Bill
 
OP
AUSMHLY

AUSMHLY

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Billm said:
OK- this is great information, even for us Sprite owners but I have a question- can LED's be dimmed? Bright lights are great but OCASIONALLY we might want them a bit dimmer.
Bill

Yes Bill, Led's can be dimmed.
Interesting you ask this question.
For tomorrow, I am trying my next exercise with led's.
I bought some very very small led's that come with an external dimmer. I plan on installing them over the toggle panel. Currently, you flip the toggles by brail at night.
Happy motoring!
Roger
 

TomFromStLouis

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Very well done Roger. My hat is off to you for the research and the clear instructions. It is on my list.
 

BOBBYR

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.

Hey Roger,
Are you back to the drawing board again? I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Bobby R
 

Johnny

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Re: How to illuminate your gauges with LED’s.

Thanks again Roger, you've made all our days a little "Brighter".

Sorry about the pun, couldn't resist it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thankyousign.gif
 

Ed_K

Jedi Knight
Offline
Roger,

My LEDs arrived today and I put them in my car. Since my car was already negative ground, this was a 15 minute job,( my back is not acting up lately).
What a difference ! I don't think that there is any need to dim them, they are the perfect brightness for our gages as they are.
I ordered two extras in case I wanted to add an extra one in the speedo and tach but I don't think I will need them. I really like being able to see the high beam indicator along with the turn signal indicators in the daylight.

:thankyousign: :thumbsup:

Ed
 
OP
AUSMHLY

AUSMHLY

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
Congrads Ed.

Isn't it great to be able to see the directional's in daylight.
Or more importantly, knowing that your high beams are working just fine, in the daylight. (kicking it up a knoch on the... daylight driving lights... are we, LOL)

I know it's a bit of work Ed, but installing another bulb in the bottom of the tachometer and speedometer will balance out the top light.

If you thought replacing the top bulb made a difference, wait till you see what putting in another one in the bottom does. The entire gauge face will be lit up. No more brighter at the top, fade to dim at the bottom.

Happy motoring,
Roger
 

Dave Richards

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
Still picking away at it...only have the fuel and oil/water gauges done :frown: Still, I'm encouraged, the difference is night and day :jester:
 
B

BUNDYRUM

Guest
Guest
Offline
I'm still picking away at it also, have the fuel and oil/water gauges to do. I'll be putting an extra LED in those as I go along.

Yes the difference in the speedo and tach is amazing even with just one light in there.

I've done the stop/turn/park lights front/rear also.

I ended up using the 30 LED bulbs, clear ones at the front and red bulbs with clear lens at the rear.

The combination of the red bulbs with the clear glass lens gave off more light than the clear bulbs with the original red glass lens (no I didn't measure it with a light meter).

I also want to put them into the license plate lamps as well.

I fitted an electronic flasher can as well as it is compatible with the LED's and now they flash just like the new cars do.

Well worth doing I'd say and a thank you again to AUSMHLY for getting me sidetracked onto something that turned out to be interesting, fun and a benefit.

bundyrum.
 

GregW

Yoda
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Hi Bundy,
I also bought clear tail lights for the back. Black sheep we are, does two qualify as a herd? I'm planning to use the Luxeon 3 LEDs. I originally mused on three per lens, but I think 1 will do.
 

Dave Richards

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
Considered doing the tail and brake lights last year, what bulbs did you use? Do you have a link to a source? Forsooth, changing the tail lights like that...what's wrong with you?
 

Ed_K

Jedi Knight
Offline
I guess I'll order a couple of sockets and put an extra one in the tach and speedo. I might as well since I have the LEDs in hand already and I won't likely be needing any replacements for the dash in my lifetime.
 
OP
AUSMHLY

AUSMHLY

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
Hi Ed,

Good decision. A little work required. But being a Healey owner, your no stranger to tinkering with the "Handsome Beast"

Remember two things.
1. Try not to get any metal shavings in the gauge.
2. Placement of the led. When looking at the front of the gauge, the bulb should be at about 5 o'clock. Not 7 o'clock.

Happy motoring!
Roger
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
AUSMHLY A brighter instrument gauge light bulb Austin Healey 59
edkap2002 TR6 Brighter instrument lights? Triumph 0
K TR2/3/3A Another electrical problem: Park light & 5ignal light on Drivers side are brighter than....... Triumph 3
I Solution for brighter dash lights? Triumph 14
T BRIGHTER DASH BULBS.......anyone have numbers Spridgets 10
PAUL161 Brighter Lights-[Cheap] MG 1
healeyboz brighter side of things Spridgets 7
A brighter light... Triumph 15
G Rear lights brighter than ever.... Triumph 1
Brosky Brighter dash light bulb saga continues Triumph 17
A Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas? Austin Healey 25
R TR2/3/3A Overheat issue, gauge adjustment Triumph 9
G MGB ugh.....the fuel gauge went to *** again! MG 8
RJS TR4/4A Smiths Oil Temp Gauge Triumph 11
J MGB Oil Pressure Gauge Gives Constant Reading -- Doesn't Seem Right MG 15
roscoe Fuel Gauge Austin Healey 0
G Smith's temp gauge repair Restoration & Tools 4
CARSINC eBay Gauge Packages Spridgets 6
Gliderman8 TR6 Excessive reading on volt gauge Triumph 17
K TR2/3/3A Wiring a voltmeter gauge to replace the ammeter. Triumph 1
Gatheringtree TR2/3/3A Gauge Set Triumph 17
jfarris For Sale TR4 Fuel Gauge with 2 Transmitters Triumph Classifieds 0
D Fuel Gauge Austin Healey 7
BoyRacer Thread Pitch Gauge from "British Tool and Fasteners" Austin Healey 0
LD-Ordie TR2/3/3A TR3 gauge service Triumph 11
RJS General TR Oil Pressure Gauge - Test Triumph 11
RJS TR4/4A R&R Oil Pressure Gauge Triumph 7
RJS TR4/4A TR4A Temp Gauge Scale Triumph 6
B For Sale BaulyCars - Gauge Bezels Triumph Classifieds 0
AngliaGT MGB-GT Gauge Repair Recommendations? MG 4
BierRunner TR6 Temperature Gauge Triumph 8
T Wanted Working Fuel Gauge for TR3A Triumph Classifieds 5
HighAltitudeTR3 T-Series MGTD Sheet Metal Gauge?? MG 0
Lairhead52 Wanted Oil Press Gauge Triumph Classifieds 0
T TR2/3/3A TR3A Fuel Gauge problem Triumph 10
B TR4/4A Jaeger Gauge Question Triumph 16
K TR2/3/3A TR3 with alternator conversion... red light stays on and low voltage on the voltmeter gauge? Triumph 1
Retired2020 TR5/TR250 TR250 smith gauge Triumph 7
L Oil Pressure Gauge Austin Healey 5
Martinld123 Problems with my BN2 Temp Gauge reading Austin Healey 13
B Fluctuating Fuel Gauge 1960 Bugeye Spridgets 4
R TR2/3/3A Amp Gauge-erratic reading after alternator conversion Triumph 39
Fanch00 Inoperative Fuel Gauge Austin Healey 10
R Coolant temperature gauge Spridgets 8
EWD TR6 Temp Gauge - 74 TR6 Triumph 11
Boink Early Mini Fuel Gauge - adjusting it British Motor Corp 0
Editor_Reid Water Temp Gauge Austin Healey 5
J TR6 73 TR6 Temp Gauge Wiring Question Triumph 6
Gliderman8 TR6 Vacuum Gauge Hookup Triumph 11
E Gauge Lights Austin Healey 4

Similar threads

Top