Notices
993 Forum 1995-1998

Finally a plug-n-play LED solution for 964/993 gauges

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-08-2009, 08:18 PM
  #1  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default Finally a plug-n-play LED solution for 964/993 gauges

Finally found a LED that fits right into the gauges. It is bright, much brighter than the OEM bulbs. Another big plus is that you can still adjust the brightness.

Here is the end result.
Attached Images  
The following users liked this post:
Pardonmypov (01-23-2022)
Old 01-08-2009, 08:20 PM
  #2  
AOW162435
Seared
Rennlist Member
 
AOW162435's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Posts: 16,756
Received 407 Likes on 229 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by axl911
Finally found a LED that fits right into the gauges. It is bright, much brighter than the OEM bulbs. Another big plus is that you can still adjust the brightness.

Here is the end result.

Very cool - any details to share?


Andreas
Old 01-08-2009, 08:24 PM
  #3  
Arena993
Race Car
 
Arena993's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 4,902
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

One must share

Mike
Old 01-08-2009, 08:29 PM
  #4  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

The LEDs are 74-xHP3, 3 High Power SMD LEDs with wide beam angle radially mounted - 15 lumen.

I got them from superbrightleds.com.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b....15100&next=50

It fits directly onto the twist lock #74 base which I got from ebay. The LED originally came with the #74 base was not very bright. So I tossed them and fit these new 74-xHP3.

I got the cool white one, but warm white and other colors are also available.

In the attached pic below, the leftmost is the OEM bulb. The middle is the single LED /w the #74 twist lock base I got from ebay. On the right is the 74-xHP3. Just pull out the single LED and insert in the 74-xHP3. Then just install them into the gauge.
Attached Images    
Old 01-08-2009, 08:33 PM
  #5  
tj90
Three Wheelin'
 
tj90's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: oceanside, ca
Posts: 1,690
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

I like the look in the picture. but....

I tried plug in LEDs 2 years ago after Geo graciously offered to let me try them. In the end I decided that it was "too much". The problem I had was that the other parts of the car (***** and such) are incandescent and did not match - at least enough for my tastes. The LEDs I had were too blue compared to the yellow traditional look.

Maybe what you found is different than what I tried. I seem to remember that the LEDs with the special bases were kind of pricey.

With that said, I have LED license plate lights and like them. Got the idea from seeing a TL acura.
Old 01-08-2009, 08:34 PM
  #6  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Here are some comparision between the bulbs/leds.

In the fist pic, the clock is the single LED, tach is the 74x-HP3 leds, the others are OEM regular bulbs.

In the second pic, the clock is the single LED and the tach is the 74x-HP3 leds. The tach is a bit more blue than the single LED, but much brighter.

In the last pic, you can see the dramatic difference between stock and the new LEDs.
Attached Images    
Old 01-08-2009, 08:36 PM
  #7  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tj90
I like the look in the picture. but....

I tried plug in LEDs 2 years ago after Geo graciously offered to let me try them. In the end I decided that it was "too much". The problem I had was that the other parts of the car (***** and such) are incandescent and did not match - at least enough for my tastes. The LEDs I had were too blue compared to the yellow traditional look.

Maybe what you found is different than what I tried. I seem to remember that the LEDs with the special bases were kind of pricey.

With that said, I have LED license plate lights and like them. Got the idea from seeing a TL acura.

The site also list a "warm white" which the specs says is very close to the regular bulb. I just went /w the cool white since my interior has a bit of blue.
Old 01-08-2009, 08:43 PM
  #8  
Arena993
Race Car
 
Arena993's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 4,902
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

al911

Well chalk up another to do on the ever growing list. Man I need to get started on my car or I will never get it done. Nice job.

Mike
Old 01-08-2009, 09:28 PM
  #9  
David in LA
Nordschleife Master
 
David in LA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,510
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by axl911
Finally found a LED that fits right into the gauges. It is bright, much brighter than the OEM bulbs. Another big plus is that you can still adjust the brightness.

Here is the end result.
That looks pretty good...great job

Can you give a list/summary of which bulbs you bought and how many of each? Thanks.
Old 01-08-2009, 09:49 PM
  #10  
Stealth 993
Nordschleife Master
 
Stealth 993's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,474
Received 208 Likes on 126 Posts
Default

Not bad. How many does it all take?

Why not use the amber ones? It looks like you can get the lower lumen LED's.

I turn mine down & like just enough light to see the dials.
Old 01-08-2009, 09:53 PM
  #11  
Nuff
Racer
 
Nuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Looks great. Much better than the single LEDs that I have in mine.

Looks like I can probably get these LEDs and then switch them with the single LEDs.
Old 01-08-2009, 10:39 PM
  #12  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by David in LA
That looks pretty good...great job

Can you give a list/summary of which bulbs you bought and how many of each? Thanks.
I use the cool white 74xHP3 leds. It takes 11 of them for all 5 gauges. You will also have to order the 74 type screw base.
Old 01-09-2009, 12:08 AM
  #13  
David in LA
Nordschleife Master
 
David in LA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,510
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Thanks!
Old 01-09-2009, 12:16 AM
  #14  
goatfarmer1970
Instructor
 
goatfarmer1970's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 185
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Just curious -- another post a while back said that the bulbs had an overly direct light pattern vs. the stock even distribution/dissipation, resulting in some bright spots, dim spots, etc. Did you notice that? Thanks.
Old 01-09-2009, 12:56 AM
  #15  
axl911
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
axl911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

These have 3 separate LEDs. One on top and 2 on each side. Each LED diode doesn't have the lens to focus the light. So these have an even distribution pattern. No light and dark spots.

However, in the dark, they may be a bit blue for my taste. I may get the warm white or red to play around with.


Quick Reply: Finally a plug-n-play LED solution for 964/993 gauges



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 01:20 PM.