47 replies to this topic

[S pack]

Thanks to Forum member jd lj (James) I made a pilgrimage to my local Jaycar store recently and picked up some LED's for the LJ instrument cluster and interior dome light.

I tried to take before and after pics of the difference with the interior dome light with the LED festoon but the pics inside the car are basically black.

So in lieu I grabbed a spare dome light and wired it up to my 12v power supply and snapped a few shots to show the difference.

 

Incandescent 36mm festoon bulb with diffuser

 P1050094M.jpg   41.38K   26 downloads

 

150 Lumen 36mm festoon LED with diffuser

 P1050097R.jpg   51.74K   23 downloads

 

Incandescent 36mm festoon bulb without diffuser

 P1050096R.jpg   52.36K   22 downloads

 

150 Lumen 36mm festoon LED without diffuser

 P1050098R.jpg   60.18K   20 downloads

 

Next is three types of T10 wedge white LED bulbs for the main instrument panel

left to right = 120 Lumen single SMD LED $12.95, 4 x SMD LED (unknown Lumen) $3.50, Single LED (unknown Lumen) $1.40

 P1050105R.jpg   96.49K   28 downloads

 

T10 wedge LEDs Mounted in an old instrument backing plate

Left rear is the single LED, Right rear is the 4 x SMD LED and at front is the 120 lumen Single SMD LED.

 P1050099R.jpg   78.08K   29 downloads

 

Apologies, I just realised I forgot to compare them with a std Incandescent T10 wedge.

I can say though the $1.40 LED is only marginally better. The main difference is the light is whiter. Well actually a bit bluer with the factory blue diffusers.

 

I will be using the 120 Lumen T10 wedges for the main instruments, 120 Lumen BA9S bayonet bulbs for the four 2" gauges and the $1.40 T10 wedges for the indicators, high beam and brake fail lights.

 

Another benefit of the LEDs is they don't generate as much heat.

I measured a std Incandescent T10 wedge at 46.5 deg C after 5 mins and the 120 Lumen T10 wedge at 36.1 deg C after 5 mins.

Edited by S pack, 07 October 2018 - 10:51 PM.

[lx308]

Are they still dimmable Dave?

[S pack]

Are they still dimmable Dave?

I haven't put any in the instrument cluster yet but the research I have done indicates they are dimmable down to a point where the voltage is too low and the LED goes out.

Edited by S pack, 07 October 2018 - 10:55 PM.

[rexy]

Nice work!

[jd lj]

Nice work there Dave. It's good to see a comparative test done on them. I believe that the photos of the interior light although they show some improvement that they don't show its full extent. Those festoon type interior lights are also available with 3,6 and 9 LED's on the globe.

[S pack]

I believe that the photos of the interior light although they show some improvement that they don't show its full extent. Those festoon type interior lights are also available with 3,6 and 9 LED's on the globe.

Agree mate, both types perform better inside the car where there are a multitude of surfaces for the light to reflect off.

I bought the 6 led type.

 

As a general comparison I have an original Incandescent BA9S bayonet bulb for the 2" gauges that is marked 2CP (Candle Power).

1 CP = 12.57 Lumens therefore 2 CP = 25.14 Lumen and a 120 Lumen LED = 9.546 CP

[RallyRed]

Good lab work Dave....thanks

[S pack]

Good lab work Dave....thanks

Your welcome Col. Just pop a few gold coins in the donations tin on my fridge next time your passing by. 

 

Cheers

Dave.

[RallyRed]

lol...next time O'm there I'll throw in a pineapple.. no probs

[grumpy xu1]

Any chance of a photo of before & after of dash illumination Dave, i'll say pretty please if it helps ? Just the instruments please mate !

[S pack]

Any chance of a photo of before & after of dash illumination Dave, i'll say pretty please if it helps ? Just the instruments please mate !

I was planning to do that Gary.

 

Cheers

Dave.
 

[grumpy xu1]

Ta Dave !

[S pack]

Hi Paul,

That's a great comparison shot. Which T10's did you get and how well does the dimmer work?

 

Cheers

Dave.

[grumpy xu1]

Maybe the gloss paint around the gauges is adding to the brightness, Dave can you take a photo of yours around the same time & post it please, "when" you get a chance for a comparison, just for those of us keeping the factory dash look ? I can't believe how bright those bulbs are. Gary.

[S pack]

Maybe the gloss paint around the gauges is adding to the brightness, Dave can you take a photo of yours around the same time & post it please, "when" you get a chance for a comparison, just for those of us keeping the factory dash look ? I can't believe how bright those bulbs are. Gary.

Yes they are a bit bright and possibly the reflection is adding to it. I will post up some pics when I get mine changed over. Still have to get one more 120 Lumen T10 and then I can attack it.

[S pack]

I took your recommendation and used 7 of the 120 Lumen T10 wedges for the instruments and the 2" gauges. The $1.40 T10 wedges for the indicators, high beam and brake fail lights. 

 

I didn't check the dimmer function but will check it once I put the last T10s in tonight.

Did you replace the GEN warning light in the AMP gauge?

I couldn't find a lower spec BA9S LED bulb than the 120 Lumen so I made my own.

 Gen LED bulb.jpg   83.28K   13 downloads

 Gen LED bulb works.jpg   110.25K   13 downloads

[torana74]

Did you replace the GEN warning light in the AMP gauge?

I couldn't find a lower spec BA9S LED bulb than the 120 Lumen so I made my own.

 

 

I'd be leaving the standard globe in there.  The alt needs the 12v via the globe to excite it.  A LED  is a diode and won't allow power through it.

[S pack]

I'd be leaving the standard globe in there.  The alt needs the 12v via the globe to excite it.  A LED  is a diode and won't allow power through it.

I tried, it didn't work, so the std incandescent bulb is on the menu.

 

1st pic is the original incandescent bulbs with dimmer on full. Note bulb at RH side of speedo has failed.

 Instrument lights.jpg   117.98K   17 downloads

 

2nd pic is the LEDs with the dimmer down as low as it will go before total darkness.

 LED's Dimmed.jpg   109.37K   13 downloads

 

3rd pic is the LEDs full on.

 LED's full on..jpg   121.77K   16 downloads

[lx308]

frOck ya Dave. That looks good, might have to do the same.

Thought about doing headlights?

[lx308]

Looks really good Dave.

Unfortunately I didn’t have any time to play with the girl this w/e.

As T74 said, I left the alt light as is. I read somewhere the alternator needs the voltage differential the older globes provide so thought it best left alone.

Has anyone tried those LED headlights off of eBay?

I reckon headlights would be more beneficial

[mugginz]

Careful of eBay led headlights.

The LEDs need to be in the same position inside the reflector as the filament of a halogen bulb to produce a correct beam pattern. Otherwise you'll end up either blinding people or wind up with a poorer light output than a standard halogen bulb.

Philips make some nice looking led h4 replacements but they're not cheap.

There's a lot of junk on eBay