Blue instrument lights and brighter positioning lights?
#1
Blue instrument lights and brighter positioning lights?
Dear all,
I will be getting my gauges changed out to silver or white, and I would like to replace the existing dial lights to either a blue led or a blue bulb. I'm trying to get a "indiglo" look like a timex watch - any ideas?
Secondly I have upgraded to the turbo-s style front air intakes with a small positioning light. It is very dim and so similarly I was wondering if there is a super-white LED or a brighter bulb i can use. The bulb appears to be a similar style to the interior light, only larger.
I'd really appreciate any advice.
Best regards
Mike
I will be getting my gauges changed out to silver or white, and I would like to replace the existing dial lights to either a blue led or a blue bulb. I'm trying to get a "indiglo" look like a timex watch - any ideas?
Secondly I have upgraded to the turbo-s style front air intakes with a small positioning light. It is very dim and so similarly I was wondering if there is a super-white LED or a brighter bulb i can use. The bulb appears to be a similar style to the interior light, only larger.
I'd really appreciate any advice.
Best regards
Mike
#3
If anybody thinks that my question should be removed then just say so. If my questions don't interest you todd that's fine but don't try to "educate" me. It's not your right to kill another posters responses - free world and all that.
You seem to post reasonable topics although your "tasteful" keyring is a matter of opinion and didn't draw a comment from the other posters.
Let the others be the judge - I've been using rennlist for a while and have met a number of posters, including gert - all of them helpful and genuinely nice.
Please don't reply to this - it's late, my wife is ill in bed and I justed wanted a few minutes of surf time whilst she settles down to sleep. If anyone can help then I'd appreciate a mail.
Thank you
Mike
You seem to post reasonable topics although your "tasteful" keyring is a matter of opinion and didn't draw a comment from the other posters.
Let the others be the judge - I've been using rennlist for a while and have met a number of posters, including gert - all of them helpful and genuinely nice.
Please don't reply to this - it's late, my wife is ill in bed and I justed wanted a few minutes of surf time whilst she settles down to sleep. If anyone can help then I'd appreciate a mail.
Thank you
Mike
#4
Mike,
Replacing the lights that light your gauges is quite easy, one of mine burned out just after I bought the car. The instruments simply pull straight out (gently) and the bulbs can be accessed directly. I'm not sure what wattage you'll need - you might try vdo.
When you get the project complete, be sure to post pictures!
sean
Replacing the lights that light your gauges is quite easy, one of mine burned out just after I bought the car. The instruments simply pull straight out (gently) and the bulbs can be accessed directly. I'm not sure what wattage you'll need - you might try vdo.
When you get the project complete, be sure to post pictures!
sean
#5
You can color the guage bulbs with a permanent marker, and I've seen good results from glass paint available at craft stores.
There is probably a brighter lamp available for the marker. You could wire up a couple of white LEDs without too much difficulty, they're about $3/piece at digikey.com. If they don't want to ship drop a line and I'll order them up and pop them in the mail.
There is probably a brighter lamp available for the marker. You could wire up a couple of white LEDs without too much difficulty, they're about $3/piece at digikey.com. If they don't want to ship drop a line and I'll order them up and pop them in the mail.
#6
I asked N. Hollywood Speedo about changing the backlighting color when I had my gauges done in white-face (I wanted green rather than amber), and was told by them that it can't be done. Since NHS is generally regarded as being experts with gauge matters, I tend to believe them. Has anyone actually changed the backlighting color on their 964/993 (pre-1989 911's have completely different gauges)? Thanks!
#7
I asked N. Hollywood Speedo about changing the backlighting color when I had my gauges done in white-face (I wanted green rather than amber), and was told by them that it can't be done.
I haven't changed the backlight color in my car, but bulbs do burn out and need replacement, so logic tells me that you must be able to do it. Did they give you a reason?
There may; however, be a reason why it "shouldn't" be done. I have Al gauges in my car. You'll notice at night the aluminum gauges appear dark and the numbers are backlit. Contrast is less than with b/w gauges, and very poor at dusk when it's difficult to get readable contrast unless you have the backlighting adjusted just right. Perhaps a darker color will make aluminum gauges very difficult to read? Just a guess.
I haven't changed the backlight color in my car, but bulbs do burn out and need replacement, so logic tells me that you must be able to do it. Did they give you a reason?
There may; however, be a reason why it "shouldn't" be done. I have Al gauges in my car. You'll notice at night the aluminum gauges appear dark and the numbers are backlit. Contrast is less than with b/w gauges, and very poor at dusk when it's difficult to get readable contrast unless you have the backlighting adjusted just right. Perhaps a darker color will make aluminum gauges very difficult to read? Just a guess.
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#9
I have original silver gauges in my 97 C2S. Although i like the looks of it, backlighting on those is poor to say the least. Interesting to hear what results you are getting.
If you get it done, would be nice to see some pictures.
Jan
If you get it done, would be nice to see some pictures.
Jan
#10
FYI....I did the bulb-change-color on my 86 911 by using glass dye from a craft shop. I wanted the color to match aircraft flight lighting, so I used a red/amber combo...It looked grest and did the job. I'm about to do the same on my 96 911 (aluminum). I will also look into brighter bulbs, but I want to be careful about more heat in the guages.
#11
Mike,
Regarding the positioning light, the standard bulb is a paltry 4W unit, but you can get straight replacement 10W halogen bulbs.
This came up before, see this tread....
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001790" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001790</a>
They look sooo MUCH better. Rather than a yellow glow you get a proper white light
Regarding the positioning light, the standard bulb is a paltry 4W unit, but you can get straight replacement 10W halogen bulbs.
This came up before, see this tread....
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001790" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001790</a>
They look sooo MUCH better. Rather than a yellow glow you get a proper white light
#13
Guys
thank you to all of you for the suggestions.
(Todd no problem - i wasn't having the best day either!)
I have looked into the brighter positioning lights and that looks like a straightforward issue. Piaa seem to make an extreme white that should work.
Re the instruments Andrew I intend to get them done at the factory along with some other work, however Strangely enough, having added some chrome instrument rings at the weekend I have grown to "re-love" black!
I am still debating the colouring issue of the lights and readibility is a factor.
Anyway I will certainly post pictures.
Thanks once again to all of you.
Regards
Mike
thank you to all of you for the suggestions.
(Todd no problem - i wasn't having the best day either!)
I have looked into the brighter positioning lights and that looks like a straightforward issue. Piaa seem to make an extreme white that should work.
Re the instruments Andrew I intend to get them done at the factory along with some other work, however Strangely enough, having added some chrome instrument rings at the weekend I have grown to "re-love" black!
I am still debating the colouring issue of the lights and readibility is a factor.
Anyway I will certainly post pictures.
Thanks once again to all of you.
Regards
Mike
#14
Hi Everyone,
I'd like to see some pictures of these chrome rings as it sounds like a good idea but I did see some matt silver rings that were big and thick and looked horrible. I assume that you are referring to a chromed, metal ring that would slip onto the rim of each instrument. Actually talking about this, are the instrument faces still glass or are they plastic? I want to polish them but am scared of scratching them if they are plastic.
Cheers,
David
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
I'd like to see some pictures of these chrome rings as it sounds like a good idea but I did see some matt silver rings that were big and thick and looked horrible. I assume that you are referring to a chromed, metal ring that would slip onto the rim of each instrument. Actually talking about this, are the instrument faces still glass or are they plastic? I want to polish them but am scared of scratching them if they are plastic.
Cheers,
David
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />