Auto Meter Gauge Illumination
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Auto Meter Gauge Illumination
Warning: LONG POST! 
Some of you may remember a month or so ago that I installed four Auto Meter Phantom gauges in my SD...
2004 F250 Quad Gauge Install
Well, a month (or so) has passed and I gotta say I'm less than impressed with the illumination of these gauges. They just used a normal bulb with a little green jimmy hat (don't know what else to call it lol
) to make the light green. Well, this didn't make for very consistent lighting between the gauges. Some were brighter than others, some were different shades of green, etc. It should be noted that the bulb for the trans temp gauge was already half-blown, all silvery looking on the inside (I forget what that's called).
Soooo, Auto Meter offers an LED bulb upgrade for these gauges at $13/ea (!). So, I did a little research and found that superbrightleds.com offers mini-wedge LED bulbs (part number WLED-G) for less than $2/ea so I ordered some to try. Turns out they work like a charm! Much more consistent and full illumination.
So, if anyone out there has Auto Meter Phantoms (or Ultralites) then this is the way to go, if you wanna save $45! I'm gonna update my webpage with this info soon.
Check out the before & after pic I put together....
Some of you may remember a month or so ago that I installed four Auto Meter Phantom gauges in my SD...
2004 F250 Quad Gauge Install
Well, a month (or so) has passed and I gotta say I'm less than impressed with the illumination of these gauges. They just used a normal bulb with a little green jimmy hat (don't know what else to call it lol
) to make the light green. Well, this didn't make for very consistent lighting between the gauges. Some were brighter than others, some were different shades of green, etc. It should be noted that the bulb for the trans temp gauge was already half-blown, all silvery looking on the inside (I forget what that's called). Soooo, Auto Meter offers an LED bulb upgrade for these gauges at $13/ea (!). So, I did a little research and found that superbrightleds.com offers mini-wedge LED bulbs (part number WLED-G) for less than $2/ea so I ordered some to try. Turns out they work like a charm! Much more consistent and full illumination.
So, if anyone out there has Auto Meter Phantoms (or Ultralites) then this is the way to go, if you wanna save $45! I'm gonna update my webpage with this info soon.
Check out the before & after pic I put together....
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 16
From: Colorado
Wow, thats in incredible difference! Looks great to me. I do have a question for you and the other guys with aftermarket gauges though.
Are the brightness of the gauge lights adjustable like factory dash lights? I hate having lights in my face while driving in the dark, so I always run with my dash lights turned VERY low. My CB lights even drive me nuts so I either throw a small rag over em or hold the steering wheel so my arm blocks them.
Are the brightness of the gauge lights adjustable like factory dash lights? I hate having lights in my face while driving in the dark, so I always run with my dash lights turned VERY low. My CB lights even drive me nuts so I either throw a small rag over em or hold the steering wheel so my arm blocks them.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Yes, if you hook the illumination wire to the same signal that the instrument cluster (and the headlight switch, radio, heater controls, etc) uses then it they will dim along with the rest of the dash lights. I hooked the blue/red wire of the headlight switch.
Edit... by the way, the pics above were taken with the illumination at full brightness.
Edit... by the way, the pics above were taken with the illumination at full brightness.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 1
From: Wyandotte, Michigan
I was thinking of doing this with my 250 but was unsure weather I wanted to really get into trying to fish all the leads through the firewall. I have issues with my back so twisting up under the dash is out of the question. I can order all the stuff from Isspro through work at cost so parts wouldn't be expensive at all.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
Yes, if you hook the illumination wire to the same signal that the instrument cluster (and the headlight switch, radio, heater controls, etc) uses then it they will dim along with the rest of the dash lights. I hooked the blue/red wire of the headlight switch.
Edit... by the way, the pics above were taken with the illumination at full brightness.
Edit... by the way, the pics above were taken with the illumination at full brightness.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
I was thinking of doing this with my 250 but was unsure weather I wanted to really get into trying to fish all the leads through the firewall. I have issues with my back so twisting up under the dash is out of the question. I can order all the stuff from Isspro through work at cost so parts wouldn't be expensive at all.
Also how hard would it be to replace my blue LEDS with green ones?
Also SWEET wright up! Very impresive.
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Thanks guys!
I see your sig says Auto Meter gauges, but it depends on which series of gauges you have. If you have Phantoms, or Ultralites, or any other that use the twist-lock bulb housing in the backside, then it is as easy as pulling the old bulb out and putting the new bulb in.
I see your sig says Auto Meter gauges, but it depends on which series of gauges you have. If you have Phantoms, or Ultralites, or any other that use the twist-lock bulb housing in the backside, then it is as easy as pulling the old bulb out and putting the new bulb in.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
Thanks guys!
I see your sig says Auto Meter gauges, but it depends on which series of gauges you have. If you have Phantoms, or Ultralites, or any other that use the twist-lock bulb housing in the backside, then it is as easy as pulling the old bulb out and putting the new bulb in.
I see your sig says Auto Meter gauges, but it depends on which series of gauges you have. If you have Phantoms, or Ultralites, or any other that use the twist-lock bulb housing in the backside, then it is as easy as pulling the old bulb out and putting the new bulb in.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
I just took a look at the C2's on Auto Meter's website and it looks like converting those to a different color would be a bit more involved. If you could get one apart without trashing it you could see what type of LEDs are used and maybe swap them out with green ones. Might not be worth the risk though!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I just installed my autometers today and I agree with the lighting. Although it seems pretty consistent, its just dull. I know you said the wled-g was the part # but did you get the 90 deg or 120 deg? It is the one LED not the 4 LED bulb correct?
thanks
thanks
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: New Baden IL
Great Job! I have the Cobalt's (nine of them) all on a separate dimmer switch which is tied into the truck's dimmer. This way I can as needed or wanted.
Again, congrats on figuring out a better option and making it work.
Again, congrats on figuring out a better option and making it work.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Thanks for the info. I just installed my autometers today and I agree with the lighting. Although it seems pretty consistent, its just dull. I know you said the wled-g was the part # but did you get the 90 deg or 120 deg? It is the one LED not the 4 LED bulb correct?
thanks
thanks
2004 F250 Quad Gauge Install
Here's the bulb I used.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
With the way my gauges light up at night, I thought I might need to do something like you did. So far they don't bother me but I might add another dimmer for them some day.