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Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas?

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Andrew1

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I've always used the standard instrument bulbs supplied by Moss for the Smiths guages as they periodically go out.

A young female driving with me commented that the guage lights seemed dim (likely her impression of the driver too).

After no apparent acknowledgement or appreciation of my perfectly logical standard explaination "it's a Healey"..... I started to ask myself, is there not a source of brighter bulbs for Smiths Guages of the correct dimensions to fit?

Anyone asked or answered this question too?

- Andrew - BJ8
 
Yep Andrew, Look up "Interior Lighting and Guages" in the recent archives.--Fwiw---Keoke
 
Yes, you can get small halogen bulbs to replace the normal bulbs.
As Keoke has suggested, use the "Search" function here at BCF and you should be able to find more info.
 
i recently found the manufacturer of holo-gin in kentucky,improved the lighting greatly but only for a couple of hours,just kidding!i recently asked the same question and replaced all with 'halogen' bulbs,big help,should your problem persist keoke can set you up with an appointment with ;tahoe healy'a world renoune optish guy.
 
Sometimes at night at a stop light I have to rev the engine to see the gauges. Just part of the LBC mystique I love. I remember earlier post mentioning that the Halogens lighting the foot well nicely.
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

[ QUOTE ]
I remember earlier post mentioning that the Halogens lighting the foot well nicely.

[/ QUOTE ]
It's pretty important to be able to see your feet while driving. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
D
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Hello all,

rheostat dimming was a common feature on a lot of British 60's cars, do check that the lights are not turned down before changing the lamps.

Alec
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Hi Alec:

Good point and I'm going to look, but I don't think a Bj8 has a rheostat dimmer, or is this something under the dash facia I don't know about?

-andrew1-
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

awwh!, but change the bulbs and you lose that low romantic lighting effect that goes so well with a glass of red!
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Alec:

Good point and I'm going to look, but I don't think a Bj8 has a rheostat dimmer, or is this something under the dash facia I don't know about?

Andrew, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif No dimmers in Austin Healey cars.---Keoke



[/ QUOTE ]
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Hello Andrew,
normally on the dash, combining an off switch. Pull for on and rotate to vary the intensity of the lighting.

Alec
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

What???? I only have the toggles that flip up and down. No rotatable switch on my BJ8.
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

I've never seen a rheostat for panel lamps on a Big Healey. Only the switch.
D
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Oh that Piman is just having Halucinations again.---Keoke--- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif---The Damilars and Jags have a two position switch that controls the instrument lighting intensity, still can't see a thing even when switch is on bright. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

Alec,Those type controls are found in VOLVOS! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

My 1964 Triumph Spitfire Mk1 had one - problem was I didnt know it and drove around in the dark for 6 months!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

[ QUOTE ]
My 1964 Triumph Spitfire Mk1 had one - problem was I didnt know it and drove around in the dark for 6 months!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

DerekJ,you are on the wrong forum please move down the page---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Hello Keoke,
what is a Volvo?
There are many British cars that have On\dim controls, and of course, over the years cars get modified. It was meant to be a helpful suggestion, as if there was such a switch, larger wattage lamps would not cure the problem.
Jaguars and Daimlars (sic) may not have them, as you suggest but that is only two of a large variety of British manufacturers of the 1960's.

Alec
P.S. By the way in case you are not aware the (sic) is to indicate that I am copying an incorrectly spelt word.
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

Why I'm curious now, does the halogen bulbs increase the ampere load on the circuits. Or do they pull the same amps as the original bulbs, but just increase the lumins.
thanks, Dave.
 
Re: Brighter Smiths Instrument Bulbs --- Any ideas

I think the amps & the lumens increase. Halogen just allows a hotter/brighter filament than a standard vacuum sealed bulb.
D
 
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