Author Topic: dashboard instrument lights  (Read 2279 times)

mauro12

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dashboard instrument lights
« on: September 13, 2020, 17:27:01 »
Hello everyone, I want to replace the dashboard lights in my car. I think some of them are not working because the light is not so intense like it should be. I prefer to keep the old style color and type of lamps but my question is: how many bulbs I need to buy in order to replace all lights? In other words, how many bulbs there are for each Indicator? and second question , what is the proper name (type)of this lamps? I would prefer to buy in a local store rather than from sls shop or others, I think is not worth to spend 3euro of lamps and 30euro for shipping.
Thank you very much
Mauro
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

GM

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Gary
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mmizesko

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Re: dashboard instrument lights
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2020, 17:12:20 »
Mauro,

I like to drive at night, and the dim yellow incadescent 2v bulbs are not bright enough, so I replaced with LED bulbs, which will last forever and allow you to read how fast you are going.  I chose bulbs that shine with a blue white tint, but I think they are sold in other shades.  look up LED lights on the forum and you will see what you need.  You need to leave a couple of incadescent bulbs on the instrument board to allow for enough impedence.  Not sure where you can get them without shipping.  Good Luck.

Mike
1970 280SL 291H Dark Olive

GM

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Re: dashboard instrument lights
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2020, 21:12:49 »
Mike is right - the LEDs are available in warmer white.
If you go LED, this is what I used from https://www.superbrightleds.com/:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=31482.msg228459#msg228459
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

mauro12

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Re: dashboard instrument lights
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 11:23:54 »
Thank you for your info. My personal opinion is that maybe led light looks too modern for this car. If I decide to put the standard ba9s light, are they still available in a regular store? I read also that maybe the original 2w light are more difficult to find. The 4w would be ok too?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Paul & Dolly

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Re: dashboard instrument lights
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2020, 11:29:58 »
Mauro

The warm white LEDs look fine, I got mine from Classic Car Leds in UK, Duncan there knows what we need for our Pagodas
THe dimmer still operates, and the LEDs use less power and give off less heat.

Be careful if you fit the 4watt normal bulbs they give off more heat than the 2watt ones, and you do not need more heat in old instruments and wireing.

I posted a few pictures when I did mine, maybe search for the posts about LEDs.

Keep well

Paul

Paul (located in Cardiff - Wales - UK)
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1936 Alvis Firebird (Gone............)