Why Do People Use LEDs in their gauges?
11-03-2009, 05:58 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why Do People Use LEDs in their gauges?
Looked through the gauge backlight thread again, and I didn't see one satisfactory outcome from LEDs in the gauge cluster. They cost more, they don't output even light at all, no matter what style you get and they don't offer any more color options than incandescents.
Snapped a pic of my gauges tonight. Had these super white bulbs in for over 2 years now. Light is even, bright and it cost me less than $10 for all the bulbs.
LEDs in your gauges are one bandwagon worth avoiding. Save yourself ~$40 and just install some incandescents!
Snapped a pic of my gauges tonight. Had these super white bulbs in for over 2 years now. Light is even, bright and it cost me less than $10 for all the bulbs.
LEDs in your gauges are one bandwagon worth avoiding. Save yourself ~$40 and just install some incandescents!
11-03-2009, 06:13 PM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
11-03-2009, 06:36 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: TX
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://autolumination.com/74.htm
1/4 of the page down on the right side it says WEDGE BASED BULBS. you will need 1 for ignition, climate control, shifter, glove box and lighter.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm
3/4 of the page down. I think you need 3 for instrument panel.
Note: This is for a 1996 Limited. I believe the only difference is the 99+ are #24 bulbs instead of #194. All years should use the #74 bulbs.
Please correct me if I am wrong midget96
1/4 of the page down on the right side it says WEDGE BASED BULBS. you will need 1 for ignition, climate control, shifter, glove box and lighter.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm
3/4 of the page down. I think you need 3 for instrument panel.
Note: This is for a 1996 Limited. I believe the only difference is the 99+ are #24 bulbs instead of #194. All years should use the #74 bulbs.
Please correct me if I am wrong midget96
Last edited by CLin9383; 11-03-2009 at 07:03 PM.
Trending Topics
11-04-2009, 04:00 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only 194's I see that are incandescents dont have the 'super white', just clear, is that what you got? I would think the clear would throw the same yellow tinted light that the stock bulbs produce once the green condom is taken off, not that white light that you have.
11-04-2009, 09:16 AM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Glendale AZ
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Midget96, do you remember what type of bulbs you got from autoillumination? Is it the super white stealth silver chrome covered ones or the super white xenon blue colored bulbs?
11-04-2009, 10:36 AM
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just used the blue tinted super white bulbs. Forget the sizes, but I know some were #74 and maybe #194. The LED thread has a great list of sizes for every socket in the gauge cluster.
The real tiny neo-wedge bulbs (with the gray or orange sockets permanently attached) are only available in LED, but you don't need many and they don't go anywhere you would need a wide field of light distribution.
The real tiny neo-wedge bulbs (with the gray or orange sockets permanently attached) are only available in LED, but you don't need many and they don't go anywhere you would need a wide field of light distribution.
11-04-2009, 11:12 AM
#14
teh new LED's are improved from a year ago. they have better throw, more
emitters, and better heatsinks. they keep improving them. ghosting and shadows
that the early instrumentation leds (and current -cheapo leds- have)
are a thing of the past
emitters, and better heatsinks. they keep improving them. ghosting and shadows
that the early instrumentation leds (and current -cheapo leds- have)
are a thing of the past
11-04-2009, 12:32 PM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Way too bright for me. I want to see my gauges, not be blinded by them. I'm running red LEDs for that reason. I don't have any dark/brightspots as I'm using inverted cone LEDs.
11-04-2009, 12:53 PM
#16
Contributing Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: GSU/ATL/SD
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
someone please lead me to the quickest source to find the bulbs for gauge cluster instrument panel and shift selector for a 97. i never understand which ones to get and i don't feel like buying extra ones to get it right
11-04-2009, 02:14 PM
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Post up a pic of your setup. I'd love to see how bulbs that cost 3-4 times more perform in the same location.
11-04-2009, 03:05 PM
#19
LEDs are far superior to incandescent, they are the future of lighting thats why all new cars are coming with em.There are even some coming out with LED headlights, and yes you CAN see a MPG improvement by switching...But i don't think just switching your gauges will do it...Incandescent are just inefficent and produce lots of heat, LEDs again are FAR superior, more durable,last longer,more light from less engergy, they are "green",etc etc
11-04-2009, 10:57 PM
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only 194's I see that are incandescents dont have the 'super white', just clear, is that what you got? I would think the clear would throw the same yellow tinted light that the stock bulbs produce once the green condom is taken off, not that white light that you have.
EDIT:
Nevermind, if you scroll down there are the super whites 194 $1.49 ea.
Last edited by 98runner210; 11-04-2009 at 10:59 PM.
