Re: How to illuminate your guages with LED’s.
In the light of Rogers investigations into creating a better glow in the old instrumentation I have been researching and experimenting with my speedo unit.
First of all I have discovered sources for plastic bulb holders that will fit the ports in the back of the speedo – Moss UK ( They are on the web) have holders for both screw bulbs and BA9s, they are in plastic and have two tails, therefore they can be fitted to + and – earthed cars giving you the option of using LED bulbs which tend to be - earth, it will just be a matter of connecting the wiring correctly to compensate. I have also discovered a source for a 501 bulb holder that will also fit the speedo again in plastic with two tails so it will fit any earth . I have got mine from Vehicle Wiring Products in Derbyshire UK. ( they are on the web) The 501 is a wedge type bulb that can be purchased in LED format, and it is just a matter of turning the bulb around in the holder to gain the correct polarity.
I am sure that all the above would be available in the USA but I must say that I have not explored that.
I tested the set up with just the new bulb in without the glass on the front and then with the glass installed – there was a marked difference, it looked great without the glass but then with the glass installed it was poor.
I then inserted a piece of white card around the inside of the body of the speedo to mimic a painted surface , tested it without the glass then put the glass back the results were better.
It has to be said that there is not much difference when the glass is off, between the painted and unpainted can but there is when the glass is installed. Rogers idea of creating an extra hole for an additional bulb will vastly increase the illumination but I did not want to go too far with my modification.
Unpainted can plus new bulb
https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/Bouncinbob_2006/DSCN3304A.jpg
'painted' can plus new bulb
https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/Bouncinbob_2006/DSCN3306A.jpg
Unpainted can with glass installed
https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/Bouncinbob_2006/DSCN3308A.jpg
'Painted' can with glass installed
https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/Bouncinbob_2006/DSCN3307A.jpg
501 LED bulbs plus holder
https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k12/Bouncinbob_2006/DSCN3294A.jpg