Dash Lights
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Dash Lights
98 4.0 SOHC V6. Has anyone any experience of using 5W bulbs instead of the standard 3W bulbs for the instrument illumination? The nights are drawing in and I would like a brighter instrument panel. Any problems with overheating or browning or fuses. Please help!
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Really, the stock dash lights do not get bright enough? Are you sure you have the instrument illumination turned up all the way or that you don't have a few bulbs burned out already?
I don't mean to be rude or sound like a jerk, but if all the bulbs are working and you can't get them bright enough, I'd be a bit concerned that you maybe shouldn't be driving at night.
-Rod
I don't mean to be rude or sound like a jerk, but if all the bulbs are working and you can't get them bright enough, I'd be a bit concerned that you maybe shouldn't be driving at night.
-Rod
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Really, the stock dash lights do not get bright enough? Are you sure you have the instrument illumination turned up all the way or that you don't have a few bulbs burned out already?
I don't mean to be rude or sound like a jerk, but if all the bulbs are working and you can't get them bright enough, I'd be a bit concerned that you maybe shouldn't be driving at night.
-Rod
I don't mean to be rude or sound like a jerk, but if all the bulbs are working and you can't get them bright enough, I'd be a bit concerned that you maybe shouldn't be driving at night.
-Rod
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I solved the problem! I found some T10 shaped LEDs with seven miniature, high intensity LEDs, 10 for £5 (about $8). Very smart and very low profile. Tested them and they draw about 0.5W and are brighter than a 5W incandescent bulb and run cool. Fitted them and only got one the wrong way round. Just put it right today. Very pleased.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I solved the problem! I found some T10 shaped LEDs with seven miniature, high intensity LEDs, 10 for £5 (about $8). Very smart and very low profile. Tested them and they draw about 0.5W and are brighter than a 5W incandescent bulb and run cool. Fitted them and only got one the wrong way round. Just put it right today. Very pleased.
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Got them on ebay. Just search for T10 LED on ebay and there are plenty. Got them from Hong Kong within 4 days. No problems with quality yet. No conversion needed, just plug them into your existing bulb sockets. You need to check whether they are in the right way round as they only work one way. Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Got them on ebay. Just search for T10 LED on ebay and there are plenty. Got them from Hong Kong within 4 days. No problems with quality yet. No conversion needed, just plug them into your existing bulb sockets. You need to check whether they are in the right way round as they only work one way. Good luck!
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Have you tried dimming them yet? I'm curious if they will actually dim in a somewhat linear fashion or if they have very limited dimming followed by shutting off. I don't think the instrumentation dimmer in the '98 is solid state (PWM dimming) but instead is potentiometer.
-Rod
-Rod
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Yes it is a potentiometer in the '98 and the dimming with LEDs is not as good as bulbs. I'm going to try some different T10 lamps which have 5 SMD LEDs and give 360 degree coverage, alegedly! I'll keep you posted but delivery on these is about 3 weeks.
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I've now started seeing white "straw hat" LEDs hitting the market that have a very broad viewing angle. I have several in my possession and I am impressed with the lack of focus. A single straw hat white LED with the correct current limiting resistor should perform nicely in this type of application.
-Rod
-Rod
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Received the new led bulbs. They each have 5 flat white LEDs in a cube shape, 4 sides and a top, so they emit light in all directions. They draw about 35 milliamps compared to 300 milliamps for the stock bulbs. Fitted them yesterday. I'm getting good at removing the instrument panel now, one and a half hours start to finish including checkin all te LEDs were in the right way round. I also fitted these into the heatin and air conn ***** panel. Wow! what a result! Beautiful crisp white light, slightly brighter than stock with smooth illumination covering the panel. Coloured legends very good, needles bright white and odometer numbers well visible. Got these LEDs on ebay for £1.15 each (about $1.85 each). I certainly recommend doing this mod. Good luck!
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There's any number of these on ebay, just search for "t10 led" in the ebay search box at the top of the page. These are called T10 5 SMD LEDs. Make sure you get the white ones. Domestic ones are expensive but the ones from China are cheap and work just as well IMO.