What is the best way to increase brightness in gauges?

[Mysterytrain]

I replaced my bulbs and the results were nothing to write home about. I then replaced them with LED's. The results were slightly better. I've read that adding headlight relays can help the dash light circuit but I can't verify that. The trouble with the LED's is that they don't have that 'old school' yellow light look nor do they have the wide spread that the bulbs had. They give off a much whiter light but produce hot spots. The best solution appears to be the big bucks NH speedo conversion but I have never seen what that looks like with the stock black faced gauges. If you do some poking around on the net you will see that the bikers and blingers are using some flexible, low profile LED strips on their vehicles. I'm betting that this is what NH Speedo is doing with the gauges because the flexible string off LED's can be wraped around the gauge case and eliminate the hot spot. I would be interested in seeing how they apply power to the gauge?

[Miguel Antonett]

HELP!
I tried to pull the red looking plug - where the cable goes trough - and could not get it out.
What should I pull straight out, the red plug only or the entire cylinder that holds the red plug?

[Miguel Antonett]

bump!

[rouxroux]

Miguel, be very careful and pry the metal collar up that surrounds the "red plug"...the entire lighting unit will come out easily as one assembly. Best of luck with your project.

[Ron McAtee]

I put in a "Mark Sucro" relay kit when I did the changeover to H4's and that alone significantly increased the candlepower of my instruments. Seems to pass more power through to the lights than through the stalk switch. I'm sure that if I put new bulbs in there, it would also brighten them up. Mine are quite adequate now with the relay kit.

[Chris Lovell]

Originally posted by Mysterytrain
If you do some poking around on the net you will see that the bikers and blingers are using some flexible, low profile LED strips on their vehicles. I'm betting that this is what NH Speedo is doing with the gauges because the flexible string off LED's can be wraped around the gauge case and eliminate the hot spot. I would be interested in seeing how they apply power to the gauge?

I would be interested in how this LED "dash bling" upgrade might be accomplished, and what parts would be needed. It sounds like a decent and meaningful weekend project which will be rewarding.
Any thoughts you electrical gurus?

[quattrorunner]

Slant nose, you have a PM

[holtjv]

Originally posted by Miguel Antonett
bump!

I used one of those little flathead screwdrivers to get it started, prying under the metal ring. Then I switched to a bigger blade flat head and twisted to get it up. J

[Early_S_Man]

Guys, if you are having to use tools to pry to get the bulb holders out ... THAT SHOULD BE A BIG CLUE TO YOU that the bulb holders need cleaning and polishing!!! Ask you self WHY they are stuck??? Corrosion, that's why!

Only the alternator warning lamp bulb is the larger #1816 style bulb! All of the illumination bulbs are BA7-base bulbs, 2 Watt.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by qlander
LED and white faces NH speedo. Expensive but worth it.

BEAUTIFUL - Can you post how much this cost? It might be something worth saving for.

[SlantnoseSD]

I think he said $700

[Early_S_Man]

I'm not sure why two guys had to repost the pic of those Horrid white-faced gauges, as those look like they are perfect for (and a copy of) an eBay Gemballa custom-built for some present/former media 'star' with questionable taste and intelligence! Pure, outragious, ricer-style, attention-seeking appearance, and fully capable of completely destroying your night vision! It could only be worse if the illumination was BLUE!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
I'm not sure why two guys had to repost the pic of those Horrid white-faced gauges, as those look like they are perfect for (and a copy of) an eBay Gemballa custom-built for some present/former media 'star' with questionable taste and intelligence! Pure, outragious, ricer-style, attention-seeking appearance, and fully capable of completely destroying your night vision! It could only be worse if the illumination was BLUE!

...Not that you have a definite opinion or anything

[84porsche]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
I'm not sure why two guys had to repost the pic of those Horrid white-faced gauges, as those look like they are perfect for (and a copy of) an eBay Gemballa custom-built for some present/former media 'star' with questionable taste and intelligence! Pure, outragious, ricer-style, attention-seeking appearance, and fully capable of completely destroying your night vision! It could only be worse if the illumination was BLUE!

I am not a fan of the white face but more a fan of the lighting quality. I would be interested to see a better illuminated black face gauge. We already have Porsches, how much more attention seeking would white gauges add. It is a personal preference, some like it, some don't. Speaking of blue, it looks quite cool in a modern day VW so much so that many manufacturers are copying them. - http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?cmd=print&id=2437133

[Mysterytrain]

As an old school sports car fan I have to admit that before I owned my 911 I once owned a 62 twin cam MGA. I always liked the the dimly lit gauges on the MG but I was 21 at the time. When I stepped up to the Porsche I was pleasantly surprised at how modern and bright the 78SC guages were...well, that was back in 85 and I was 37. Same car, same owner but my eyes seem to want more light for just about anything I do these days. If I drove the 911 everyday and more often at night I think I would spring for the NH mod on BLACKFACE gauges. In the meantime I'm still exploring those flexible LED strips. Can any of you guys that have gone down this road post a picture of the rear of the gauge showing the electrical connection?

[Miguel Antonett]

I'm with you Mysterytrain. I have my car for 25 years and somehow the dash lights are going away... :-)

[safe]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
I'm not sure why two guys had to repost the pic of those Horrid white-faced gauges, as those look like they are perfect for (and a copy of) an eBay Gemballa custom-built for some present/former media 'star' with questionable taste and intelligence! Pure, outragious, ricer-style, attention-seeking appearance, and fully capable of completely destroying your night vision! It could only be worse if the illumination was BLUE!

+1

Original poster: You are aware that you can dim the gauge lights by turning the headlight switch?
If not check if it's on max.

[tonypeoni]

I recently tried this led swap. This is what I ended up with maybe I did something wrong. I think leds need a stronger current to work properly.

[tonypeoni]

BTW these are the super bright white leds from Super Bright Leds .com.

[RoninLB]

I never investigated LED's as other pelicanheads have so only a wild guess that the special glow paint on the gauges is old and worn?