BJ8 additional interior lighting

[Legal Bill]

I find the dash lights in my car to be quite dim. Not sure if that is a problem with the ground, but I plan to investigate it to see if I can brighten up the gauges a bit at night. In the same vein, I find it impossible to see the switch panel at night. Has anyone added some lighting, perhaps under the leading edge of the dash, to illuminate the switches at night? Any pics would be appreciated.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

I find the dash lights in my car to be quite dim. Not sure if that is a problem with the ground, but I plan to investigate it to see if I can brighten up the gauges a bit at night. In the same vein, I find it impossible to see the switch panel at night. Has anyone added some lighting, perhaps under the leading edge of the dash, to illuminate the switches at night? Any pics would be appreciated.

Seach the Forum for the brighter LED light bulbs(I saw the conversion here), and I recall an article in the Healey Highlights, several years ago, where a owner put some small bulbs above the switch controls panel. I believe there's some aircraft "hooded" lights that are available. They have red lenses on them which work out okay. Rally supply places might still have them.
Patrick

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hi Bill,

I addressed both those issues a while back. Here's what I came up with.

How to: Brighter gauge face with LED’s.
Click HERE

Courtesy lights: Here

Cheers,
Roger

 

[tahoe healey]

Roger, you could have saved a lot of trouble using one of those head mounted lights. Just strap it on. They even have a red light option. Three AAA bateries will last weeks. Hows that for a McG solution.
See you at the Autumn Classic this year?
TH

 

[AUSMHLY]

Roger, you could have saved a lot of trouble using one of those head mounted lights. Just strap it on. They even have a red light option. Three AAA bateries will last weeks. Hows that for a McG solution.
See you at the Autumn Classic this year?
TH

Yup, I'll be there. And maybe I'll even buy you and your better half a drink
Will you be sporting your MacGyver head mounted light? :blush:

 

[Legal Bill]

Thanks. Looks like more work than I was hoping for in my positive ground car.

 

[AUSMHLY]

Thanks. Looks like more work than I was hoping for in my positive ground car.

Bill,
I'd recommend mounting another 2.2 watt filament in the bottom of the speedo and tach. I showed were to drill the hole. You can buy the E10 holder from BCS. Then splice into the existing bulbs wire for the new bulb. Two 2.2 watt bulbs distribute the light better than a single brighter bulb at the top.

Being the fuel and the oil/water gauge's can only take one bulb, you can replace that 2.2 watt E10 bulb with a 4 watt bayonet bulb and change out the E10 bulb holder with a bayonet holder of the same push in style. Photo below shows one that will work. Being the case is the ground, you don't need the ground wire, so it can be clipped off.

Roger

 

[Legal Bill]

Thanks Roger.