LED Lighting for Gauges - Any reviews??

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Has anybody done this? Do you like the results? I saw that NH Speedometer offer this - http://www.nhspeedometer.com/911/custom_coloring/1.htm - and wanted some reviews and or opinions.

slodave · slodave's Garage

I have thought about doing this with Radio Shack parts, but did not want to take away from the originality of my car. LEDs would brighten things up and could help....

Dave

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Looks nice. But what is the cost for all that??

jdowty3 · jdowty3's Garage

I am working on a DIY project now eplace the 7mm bulb & socket with a 9mm socket and using the BA9 wide angle LEDs. Others have tried the 7mm LED replacement bulbs with less than stelar results. LEDs focus light forward and while they are brighter, the light doesn't spread out enough for good visability.
Right now I'm waiting for a few broken donated guages to arrive from couple generous Pelican members. Once I get a good method for mounting the larger socket, I'm going to document the procedure and put out here for anyone to try.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Keep us up to date on the project Jim...

RickM · RickM's Garage

A few have retrofitted both super bright and wide angle LEDS and sold the bulb "kits" to members here. The typical response was that it was not an improvement.

The NH Speedometer product modifies the guage and has had positive feedback.

A search will provide more detail.

Rot 911 · 04-03-2006, 05:40 AM

I found that just changing out the old bulbs for new OEM bulbs lit up my gauges just fine. You might want to try that before spending $$$$ for the LED upgrade.

911teo · 04-03-2006, 09:46 AM

I have just had it done to my gauges from NHS. Unfortunately the car is now sitting (being upgraded a little) and it won't be ready for another 4-6 weeks. As soon as it is done I'll give you my feedback.

qlander · 04-03-2006, 09:52 AM

I sent out my gauges to NH speedo two weeks ago. They should be ready this week and installed by next. I'll post pics and a review at the time.

Q.

M491driver · 11-01-2006, 04:14 AM

Anybody have any experience with the LED bulbs being offered on ebay for your gauges?

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 11-01-2006, 04:55 AM

I replaced my peanut bulbs with blue LED bulbs--just a straight remove-and-replace--and they look cool, but they're if anything less bright...

M491driver · 11-01-2006, 05:06 AM

Less bright? May need night vision goggles to read the gauges then.

velo5338 · 11-01-2006, 05:24 AM

I have the N. Hollywood Speedo LED conversion on my '86 Carerra. It's absolutely brilliant! Expensive, yes, but in my estimation well worth it. Makes night driving a much more pleasurable experience. Looks every bit as good as the comparison pictures on their website.

I sent them all my instruments they were refurbished , new off-set dials on the tach (red-line @ 12 o'clock) & speedo (esssential with the smaller Momo Competition steering wheel), fitted a voltmeter in the tach , repaired the odometer, re-calibrated the speedo, new bezels and needles - they came back better than new. Best $850 I ever spent! Well perhaps not, but close.

I've just bought an '87 930 and am going to put these instruments in that. N.Hollywood is going to install a boost gauge in place of the oil level gauge so I can keep the voltmeter in the tach and retain the big clock - which I find really useful rushing between appointments.

If anyone wants, I can post a (night) picture of the above instrument group.

Mike

'86 Carerra, SSIs, Dansk 2 in/1 out, Wong chip
'87 930, Kokeln turbo & I/C, GHL headers, Powerhaus dual out.

lateapex911 · 11-01-2006, 08:04 AM

I got the LEDs from a member here. I went with white. They are a bit brighterBut it's still not killer guage lighting, LOL. The basic desgn prevents great lighting, IMHO. It was a cheap experiment, and I'm on the fence as to which is better, LEDs or stock lighting.

But they are still in, so I guess thats my decision, LOL>

mjshira · 11-01-2006, 08:17 AM

I have this from NHS and HIGHLY recommend it. Having had a 911 for years I always hated how dim the lights were on the tach, etc. now you don't have to have that anymore.

Dirk and the guys at NHS are THE guys to go to.

Ian Comerford · Ian Comerford's Garage

I fitted the LEDs about a couple of months ago, you need 8 or 9 depending upon what model car you have. Cost was about £1.40 in the UK, you will probably get them cheaper. The lighting is a lot cleaner, but there is an added bonus. I have been told that the instrument lighting circuit is not fused and can be the cause of a fire. The suggested remedy was to either fit an in-line fuse or fit the LEDs as they draw much less than the conventional bulbs.

Hope this helps

Ian