194 led bulb for gauges., will these be bright enuf? Options

[x_itchy_b_x]

i found THESE on ebay and i saw people here who did this already and was wondering what bulbs they used?

[Coomer]

I used some LED bulbs for a while, but hated the way that they dispersed the light. Some spots were bright while others were really dim, and the LEDs I got ended up burning out really quick. Just a couple hours ago I put my stock green ones back in and I like them a whole lot more than the LEDs that I had.

If you want a different color for your guage cluster, I'd advise with going with normal bulbs and not LEDs. I tried two different types of LEDs and both had problems.

[1_Winged_Angel]

I don't know, but I think Coomer had trouble using LED bulbs in their gauge cluster. something along the lines of this:
(hope you don't mid coomer)

Other people had luck with it, so...

I used PIAA super whites, One for behind the cluster, and one for the shifter. One light was bright enough to light up the entire cluster since I have the Reverse Indiglos.

¤Chrí§¤

EDIT: TOO SLOW!!!!!!!!!! Coomer is on the ball already.

[Coomer]

Yep, that picture above is what you don't want your guages to look like. For comparison purposes, here's a pic of my guage cluster with normal hyperwhite bulbs:



The LEDs that I got were from AutoDynamic.com in case you're wondering. I'd advise not to buy LED bulbs from there, because I've ordered two different types and neither has worked for long without burning out.

[macavely]

where can i get them hyperwhite bulbs from ? my stocks just went out yesterday

[iceman23]

It's most likely not the problem with the LED as much as it is the working voltage of the fuse for your gauge cluster lamps. Try changing out your fuse to a higher degree such as a 10 or a 15. That's how I ended up getting my indiglo's to stay on without taking down half the electrical system in my car!!

[Coomer]

where can i get them hyperwhite bulbs from ? my stocks just went out yesterday

I got them from my local performance shop, but I'm sure that you can find them online. They're Polarg hyperwhite bulbs.

Also, I won't worry about changing out my fuses right now, because I'm content with the non-LED bulbs for now. I heard that it can be very bad to just add a larger fuse to a circuit anyways.

[macavely]

Thank Coomer

[x_itchy_b_x]

yeah thx for ur advise. my dad bought THESE if they dont work good oh well ill put the stock ones in or buy bulbs. with the led ones maybe i can use them to change the color of the cd deck or Ac/ and heater thing if thats possible ill try that a little later.

[1_Winged_Angel]

It's most likely not the problem with the LED as much as it is the working voltage of the fuse for your gauge cluster lamps. Try changing out your fuse to a higher degree such as a 10 or a 15. That's how I ended up getting my indiglo's to stay on without taking down half the electrical system in my car!!

No, its definatly not a fuse problem, it is because with LED, light is dispersed in more of a bright cone rather than a sphere. That is why you see the needles lit up (the light goes straight to the needle crystal), Also that is why it isn't bright all around. Fuses are at the level they are for a reason. With indiglos, all they need is a constant 12v's running to them, that's it, I don't see a need to change anything, let alone half an electrical system.

Macavely... Try looking at PIAAs. Those are definatly the best quality. (a little more expensive tho) They are known as 168 wedge bulbs, which is the same as 194.

¤Chrí§¤

[TJ97ST]

I've tried one of those brands with the single LED and clear diffuser tops. They didn't seem that bright.

For my gauge cluster, I used the PIAA High intensity LED "dark blue" bulbs. They do have an uneven cast, because of the way LEDs cast light. However, the color is great! If you're planning on getting red or blue, LEDs have a nice deep color. Regular colored bulbs like red will look more like pink. The PIAA bulbs have 2 LEDs per bulb which is nice. Make sure you get good quality LED bulbs and put them in the socket correctly or else they won't light up.

If you're just going for hyper-white, then I'd go with the regular bulbs.

[x_itchy_b_x]

maybe i should of saved my money and bought bulbs eh?

[Cody]

Just how expensive are the PIAA bulbs anyway? I'm thinking about doing it tomorrow if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg for 3 little bulbs.

[macavely]

i put this lights in about a month ago and the look a hell of a lot better the the pic. they are real nice and bright and the look blue not white.

[Cody]

How much did you pay for them?

[macavely]

2.50$ each pair

[all4sho94st]

is it hard to change the bulbs in the? will both the gauges and needles be white?

[Mynzeyes]

QUOTE (all4sho94st @ Dec 11 2002, 08:17 AM)

is it hard to change the bulbs in the? will both the gauges and needles be white?

hey man, it's pretty easy, coomer did a how-to for it and you can look that up on the 6gc.net homepage. and yeah, both the needles and numbers will be the color...like in my case, they are all red, it's very nice at night..wheee, i like to just stare at the gauges...
-John-

[macavely]

it so easy to do it took me like 10 minutes to do.

[Cody]

$2.50 sounds awesome. Now I just need some hyper whites.

[Cody]

Actually, what sucks is hyper whites are $11.00 a pair...

[macavely]

hyper whites do look nice but i think bule looks better but that's just me

[I_Hate_Trucks]

i would like to put the white ones in my car but i need the glass thing that goes in front of your gauges befor i could do that.... my old one is all hazy and stuff it looks kinda crazy like i dont know almost like my car has a cateract... but anyways if anyone has one of those glass pieces sittin around....
Nick

[x_itchy_b_x]

i have a whole gauge cluster around.... not sure what im doing whit it?

[Cody]

Plain white bulbs make the cluster look orangish...but it's much much brighter. I didn't like the color, so I put in blue ones. They're just as dark as the green ones, and not really blue - I don't like it. Not bright enough. What are the best, brightest bulbs to use, and the place to get them cheapest (online).

[JWalk1818]

Well i got my at auto zone and they were 195 for a pack of two and i needed three but there bright enough I think and I went with red. Anybright would kill the eyessssssssssssssssssssssss!

[Cody]

Heh, I want ones that kill your eyes though. I want it bright enough where theres enough light to read a book, or something.