Further investigation reveals that the overall dimension of the LED variants can vary between manufacturers. Having had problems with the standard bulb interfering with the bourdon tube of the temp gauge I am aware that I don't want a 28mm long bulb when my existing ones are 22 /23 mm.
Even Mr Halfords sell items 25/26 mm long so beware of buying without confirmation of dimensions.
The ' bettercarlighting ' guy has sent me a photo of his version alongside a standard 501 bulb so although it's a bit more expensive once you have added the P& P and VAT it maybe a better chance of fitting correctly. He states it sends the light sideways which would advantageous with instruments.he recommends warm white to give a period look.
His opinion is also that instruments should not be fitted with 5w bulbs due to the extra heat and that the 2.2w items are the correct fitting.
Peter C
Instrument lighting
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Old Boy Racer
- Posts: 698
- Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:07 pm
Re: Instrument lighting
Some time back - can't remember when or where- I posted a link to LED tape that sticks around the inside each instrument case so that the light is fully spread. Better option that LED bulbs maybe. Just been poking around on the floor of my daily driver Merc since that has blue lighting from the bottom edges of the dashboard and all the door cappings. Looks like something very similar. Also has the aircraft type cockpit lighting that Clive mentioned for some of the controls.
Robin
Robin
Re: Instrument lighting
Having discussed instrument lighting with an ex helicopter crewman/ navigator I now believe that there is a big difference in requirements between aircraft and cars.
When flying at night and looking into a black abyss it's critical that you must maintain your highest level of night vision to be able to look for potential obstructions so the instrument lighting needs to be quite subdued and helicopters were using green lighting.
When driving there is generally light all around and you need to be able to read the speedo at a quick glance especially with the increasing number of speed cameras. I have now tested a green and a warm white LED and have decided that the warm white version makes the gauge easier to read than the green so a full set are now on order. Of course it also mimics a filament bulb being warm white.
Amazingly the supplier has also offered to swop if I feel I have made a mistake and want another colour.
Peter C
When flying at night and looking into a black abyss it's critical that you must maintain your highest level of night vision to be able to look for potential obstructions so the instrument lighting needs to be quite subdued and helicopters were using green lighting.
When driving there is generally light all around and you need to be able to read the speedo at a quick glance especially with the increasing number of speed cameras. I have now tested a green and a warm white LED and have decided that the warm white version makes the gauge easier to read than the green so a full set are now on order. Of course it also mimics a filament bulb being warm white.
Amazingly the supplier has also offered to swop if I feel I have made a mistake and want another colour.
Peter C