Instrument LIGHTS experiment - Part 2

[masraum]

Mike, it's probably a combination of things, the fact that the names of the images have spaces in them and the browser you use. If you have another browser try it. That would probably be your best bet.

[cegerer]

"The human factors geeks preferred red for instrument lighting "

That's what I thought. I think BMW has promoted their red instruments for that reason. I guess I'm outside the 99th percentile .... -- Curt

[Ray 911s]

I've driven Pontiacs with red, Fords with what seemed to be blue, and GM "sliderules" that could get as bright as the highbeams. For my 911, I really just want brighter than I have; if the cost of such an upgrade is reasonable, I'll do it regardless of color. That said, if there were a choice of color once it was done, I'd buy red(ish).

[RAM]

I do like the red but not sure how it would look in a Gulf Blue (Baby Blue) 911?

Great work

[GSpreeman]

Can you give us a brief write-up of how you're doing what you're doing? I want to get a better sense of how much stuff you're having to do do to get these results. BTW, I hate the OEM dash lighting...I'll be the first one on the block to drop in the LED's into the Pcar.

Keep up the good work!

[BW911]

Great work, Tony. Us local Pelicanheads will be lined up for install when you are ready to broaden your test.

Bill
'88 Carrera

[APKhaos]

Thanks Bill - the first production batch will be tested on willing NOVA Pelicans

Curt: the humfacs preferred night color changed to blue around 15 years ago. You were ahead of your time.

Ram: a color consultant can probably help you with that question

Ray: Red[ish] is in the eye of the beholder.

GSpreeman: I plan to expose the whole gnarly process once the design is finalized. Some assembly is required.

[83911sc]

Tony -

do you need any more guinea pigs - I've got a spare clock which I can send your way if you are still in that phase. Oh yeah, I've also got a very willing 83sc just dying for a light lift Even though I'm no in VA, I'd love to "help" you test this.

Adam

[robs]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by APKhaos

For those Netscape users who can't see the photos:

Phase 2 White Panel.jpg:





Phase 2 Red Panel.jpg:





Phase 2 Red Tach.jpg:



I replaced the spaces in the file names by %20.
You can select "quote" to see the source code of this post.
Hope this helps.

[Ray 911s]

I also have a clock I can donate for the good of the project if you still need addiional test subjects.

[Joeaksa]

Tony,

Have sent you a couple of emails asking if how things are going with the LED lights and as well asking if you received the 911 Tach I sent you a long time ago. No answer to either email so not sure if your email address has changed or what.

Pls advise when you have time.

Thanks,

JoeA

[exc911ence]

I'd like a blue hue like the current VW models have... it would match the blue lighting on my Blaupunkt!

[Randy Webb]

How about some light weight LED tail lights?

[Don Z.]

Way cool... is Annapolis MD close enough to NoVA?...

How about a blue test as well? Just curious... This is awesome... what can we do to help?
Z

[stlrj]

Too bad there wasn't a way to get that bright blue backlit effect like a Jetta.

Joe

[Early_S_Man]

Well, blue is OK, appearance-wise, but for older eyes Yellow-Green is best, because that is the wavelength at which human eye spectral response peaks! Anyone remember the Yellow-Green 'ES' series of Pickett slide rules in the '50s and '60s? That particular shade was chosen to mimimize eye strain.

Another option most here have overlooked or forgotten ... as I have mentioned it before -- is to build your own higher-power incandescent bulbs by unsoldering the old envelope from their bases, and soldering & glueing a higher power bulb to the brass base. Eiko DE3022 are 5 Watt bulbs only 9 mm O.D. ... and 3021 are 3 Watt bulbs identical in size. Many local auto parts store stock them for around $2 a pair.

http://www.eiko-ltd.com/eiko/item.asp?qid=37&lid=DE3022

Now that the first week of the holiday season is over, I may get a chance to build up a couple of sets of two bulbs based on the 3022 and 3021 bulbs, which may work well in the smaller-size combination instruments. When I test them in some spare instruments ... I will post pics of the assembled bulbs and resulting illumination patterns in tach, speedo, and combination instruments. I will take Gossen light meter readings via a fiber-optic probe ... comparing the gauges with new Wagner 11009 2 Watt bulbs and the 5 Watt and 3 Watt modified bulbs.

[APKhaos]

The project has been stalled while seaching the world [literally!] for a source of the bulb bases in quantity. Through the prototype phase I've been de-glassing the stock bulb bases, which won't work for quantity builds. The only source I have found wants a minimum order of 40,000 bases! I'd be fine with an order of 4,000 bases, but 40,000 is a bit high.
Until I can find a source that will sell in the 1000 unit range, its a problem.

Joe, Dave B, and others have provided a great range of older gauges that have been fantastic for testing and perfecting the lights. I have all the gauges, and will get them back to their owners when this project gets finalized.

The prototypes have been in my car for almost a year now, and are performing beautifully. The standard LED types just don't work, but the Luxor emitters work beautifully. I am ready to produce them IF there is a solution to the base problem.

[RickM]

Tony,
PM me with spec on the bulb bases. I'm pretty good at sourcing stuff like this.

[jase007]

Tony:

Personally I like the white versus the red. Which color will you go with in your future track car?

Great job, can't wait to see the final results.

Jason

[steve911]

Tony-
add me to the list of interested parties once you've solved the bases issue.