pantera928 Posted November 14, 2021 Report Share Posted November 14, 2021 Have any of you swapped out your instrument light bulbs for LEDs? If so, which LEDs did you use? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamderosa Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 I ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com - here's the link: https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle/1963-studebaker-avanti-vehicle-led-lights?make=86&model=1865&year=1963 You can order the LED's in red, white, or other colors. The hi-low rocker switch will no longer change the light intensity with the LED's. If you'd like that to work you can replace the dimming resister with an electronic module like this: https://www.autometer.com/module-dimming-control-for-52mm-gauges-up-to-6.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 (edited) LED looks to bright to me. Cleaning the glasses inside clears the fog. These are mine with ordinary bulbs: Edited November 16, 2021 by Kodjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jred Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 I think I’m getting to my wits end with not having an illuminated dash, well only the tach and clock light up. Looking under the dash it looks like pulling the dash maybe the easiest route, is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Driver Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 7 hours ago, Jred said: I think I’m getting to my wits end with not having an illuminated dash, well only the tach and clock light up. Looking under the dash it looks like pulling the dash maybe the easiest route, is that correct? Don't recommend pulling the dash...that's a BIG project. I've had luck by removing the driver's seat and laying on my back (with plenty of foam rubber support) to access the gauges. You can also pull the radio speaker and get some of them. Nothing about this job is easy as the instrument panel was assembled on a bench, then installed in the car. Being a contortionist is also helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jred Posted November 20, 2021 Report Share Posted November 20, 2021 Okay thanks. I gave it minimal effort with the seat in and felt tweaked with in minutes. I try with out the seat installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2021 I have done it with the seat in and suffered for a couple of days afterwards. Advil days!🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jred Posted November 21, 2021 Report Share Posted November 21, 2021 6 hours ago, pantera928 said: I have done it with the seat in and suffered for a couple of days afterwards. Advil days!🤣 As I was attempting to figure why my tach wasn’t working, contorted in some strange way under the dash, I decide it would wait and more research was needed. @KodjoSo getting at the bulbs is possible then. How about removing the gauges with the dash in place? Say I wanted to clean the glass, your gauges look great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 21, 2021 Report Share Posted November 21, 2021 I removed the gauges with the dash in place. Just try. Start with the rpm gauge. After that one is out, you’ve got a big hole in the dash that’s helpful getting the other gauges out. opening the gauges to clean the glass is work but possible. I’ve posted links to YouTube vids elsewhere on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 What kodjo said is good advice only I removed the speedometer first to create my first big access hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jred Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 Thanks both of you. I saw that YouTube that was posted about opening the gauges. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, pantera928 said: What kodjo said is good advice only I removed the speedometer first to create my first big access hole Yes, you're right. I did like you. My mistake. Speedo first! Edited November 22, 2021 by Kodjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I just put in those LEDs from Superbright and so far, they aren't any brighter. Maybe worse. I do like the red color though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I just used old red bulbs. Works great, enough light to read the gauges. Do you need the specs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 24 minutes ago, Kodjo said: I just used old red bulbs. Works great, enough light to read the gauges. Do you need the specs? That would be nice. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted November 27, 2021 Report Share Posted November 27, 2021 22 hours ago, pantera928 said: I just put in those LEDs from Superbright and so far, they aren't any brighter. Maybe worse. I do like the red color though Did you use THIS bulb? don't use any other ones as they are not going to be bright enough. BA9s LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Tower - BA9s Bulb | Super Bright LEDs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 27, 2021 Report Share Posted November 27, 2021 22 hours ago, pantera928 said: That would be nice. Thanks I've bought these: Red for instruments: BA9S 4W 12V 8.5X28 RED 1232RK White for indicators on instrument panel like indicators: BA9S 12V 4W 8.5X28 T4W White for indicators on instrument panel like indicators: BA9S 2W 12V 8.5X28 Interior lights: BA15D 10W 12V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 9 hours ago, brad said: Did you use THIS bulb? don't use any other ones as they are not going to be bright enough. BA9s LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Tower - BA9s Bulb | Super Bright LEDs Those are the ones i bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted November 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 3 hours ago, Kodjo said: I've bought these: Red for instruments: BA9S 4W 12V 8.5X28 RED 1232RK White for indicators on instrument panel like indicators: BA9S 12V 4W 8.5X28 T4W White for indicators on instrument panel like indicators: BA9S 2W 12V 8.5X28 Interior lights: BA15D 10W 12V I thought you said that you used regular red bulbs. THese all look like LEDs. Am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodjo Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, pantera928 said: I thought you said that you used regular red bulbs. THese all look like LEDs. Am I missing something? All bulbs. Google for "BA9S 4W 12V 8.5X28 RED" and you'll find bulbs, no leds: "https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=BA9S+4W+12V+8.5X28+RED&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8" Edited November 28, 2021 by Kodjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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