How to brighten dash/instrument lights?

[e p slick]

Dash/instrument lights can be turned up from almost no illumination to moderately dull illumination. I imagine there is a pretty simple fix to make the switch crank on much higher light intensity but I don't know the answer. Any input appreciated.
EPS

[Porsche_monkey]

Do a search, there was a very long thread here a few months ago.

The simplest fix is to replace all the bulbs with new and make sure you have good ground connections.

There are also brighter bulbs and led options, but they are more complicated solutions.

[unclebilly]

A very common modification is to put a candle on your steering column and light it after dark. You just need to remember to put it out at gas stations when you fill up.

If you put in scented candles, it can change your whole driving experience...

[e p slick]

Will it negate my warranty if I use US candles? German units are very nicely made and function supurbly but after my recent upgrades are considerably out of my price range. I have considered a flashlight however. EPS

[Porsche_monkey]

Aromatherapy is a side benefit.

[e p slick]

OK - had another cup 'O coffee, did a search and now have the answer(s) Thanks for the input. EPS

[SCWDP911]

Originally posted by unclebilly
A very common modification is to put a candle on your steering column and light it after dark. You just need to remember to put it out at gas stations when you fill up.

If you put in scented candles, it can change your whole driving experience...

That is the funniest thing I have read or heard all day!

[tcar]

I just wear a miner's hat with the light in the front. Works great.

[msterling]

For maximum brightitude just light a fa*t.
Works for me, and removes those pesky cobwebs from under the dash.

[porschefool]

I replaced all my orig bulbs with new and cleaned all the grounds/sockets and the results were pretty surprising. I will pull the dimmer out of the equation and consider that particular project DONE!
total cost: around $12.

[Rusty Heap]

Does anyone have the part number for the newer 2 watt bulbs? I think you need 10 of them?

I'd like to buy them and have already to install when I pull my gauges.

[Neuromancer]

Just about everything related to gauge brightness has been covered in this thread.

[Rusty Heap]

I just bought off ebay some premounted white LED's to pop into all 5 gauges in my 911......

For $28 with shipping, it'll be a cheap experiment, and I'll post pictures when installed.

[disfin]

hmmmmm. Interested. Let us know how it works out.

[Rusty Heap]

link to the ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140134612175&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCB:MT:12

And disfin, looking at your sig line, is your wife really a stock 77 model year?

[disfin]

those lights look like a great idea. after you install them let us know on a scale of 1-10 how bright they are, with 5 being the current bulbs and 10 being a modern car.

yep shes a 77. Was a good year.

[scottb]

Do a search here on the board. IIRC, people have experimented with these bulbs in the past and have had very mixed results. I think the chief complaint is that they are very "directional" and don't throw any light from the sides of the bulbs. The result of this is that appear "spotty" and don't provide enough light to clearly light up the gauge. Another issue, IIRC, is that you can't use a dimmer with these bulbs.

[Porsche_monkey]

Dimmer has to go.

[01sport]

I cannot speak from first hand expierience but I believe I read somewhere that if you install relays on your headlights that your instumentation lighting will brighten up a bit.