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AC Panel Bulbs quick question

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Old 12-10-08 | 09:02 PM
  #26  
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https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/gauge-mod-719337/page4/
Old 12-10-08 | 09:14 PM
  #27  
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Thanks for the suggestion, however, I have already gone through this thread.

One thing I need to understand is this: I read the hyperite gauge mod thread and it says there that it uses 3 #74 LEDs and 4 194s.
I was wondering which of the 74s in the back are for lighting purposes, in case I were to get another set of LEDs...
I think I'll stick with regular bulbs, I'll buy the replacement for the 194s and close it up.
With the brighter bulbs everything seems to be nicer and richer, so I think I'll just settle that way.
If I were to change some more bulbs to LEDs, I'll probably get the "yellowish" to be more uniform, but then I'll still have an amber AC Panel (unless I find T5 replacement LEDs....).
Old 12-10-08 | 09:19 PM
  #28  
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I found that only one of the 74's are used to light up the gauge cluster. Mine had a blue tab on it while all the others were black (or brown?). Hope that helps.
Old 12-10-08 | 09:21 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by RLaoFD
I found that only one of the 74's are used to light up the gauge cluster. Mine had a blue tab on it while all the others were black (or brown?). Hope that helps.
Yes, it does help, thank you.
I need to figure out if I really want to wait until next thursday before I get the LED...
Old 12-10-08 | 09:35 PM
  #30  
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...let's see...

OK, I found the hyperite gauge cluster mod and it appears that there are 2 light bulbs that are actually hooked up to a blue twist-on.
One I would imagine is the one you mentioned (#74) and it is located at the far right of the gauge cluster (looking at the back of it). The other is at the bottom and a bit on the left (again, looking at the back).
I also noticed that this last one is actually of a different size and I believe powers up the odometer.
I believe that If I change the #74 in the blue twist-on to a LED one, the cluster colour will be uniform.
The problem is, this means I'll have to wait quite a bit of time to get it, unless I can find one around here and pick it up.
The option of changing all the 194s back to new incandescent is still my favourite...
Old 12-11-08 | 12:41 PM
  #31  
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GIO....wow its funny because i am in the middle of doing the same.....

anyhow i hope this helps with the amber you are looking for as i am buying this type of #74

this is an email i sent to AutoIllumination.com .........



Hi Shawn

In the #74 bulbs, I would use the tripower leds.

There are a couple of reasons for this recommendation.

One is that they do spread the light out better than a single more focused led

The other reason is that our current stock of them leans orangey in color. I actually call it mango. I really like the color and it sounds like it may be just what you are looking for. The picture on the website is of earlier stock, the new ones lean more orange than these:

http://superlumination.com/images/au..._3led_a_wm.jpg

http://autolumination.com/74.htm

With the 74s, you want to keep your gauges dimmed to 80% brightness to ensure a longer life.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!

Tracy

- Hide quoted text -



---- Shawn Tusim <intoxicatingdetails@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi
>
> I was wondering if you can help me out on gauge specific LED. I am looking
> to brighten up my older gauges but in research have found that LED create
> "hot spots". I read through your site but can not seem to come to a
> conclusion on what bulb to buy. In your descriptions you say pretty much the
> same for each type of bulb so its not easy to figure out what one is the
> best for even light distribution. I need a #74....so what one will give me
> the BEST even light without the hot spots??
>
> Also with my gauges, they have a amber (orange) glow. this is due to a film
> on the back of the gauges. If i just want to make the orange "brighter"
> should i go with a white LEDs or amber coloured ones? I wasnt sure if the
> hyper white colour would wash out the orange, or if the amber bulb might
> change the colour.
>
> thank you
>
> --
> Shawn Tusim
> Intoxicating Details Auto Spa
> http://www.IntoxicatingDetails.ca
> Info@IntoxicatingDetails.ca
> 905.512.1252


--
Thank You

Chris Bacon
Old 12-11-08 | 04:04 PM
  #32  
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i think those tripower LEDs would fix the hotspot problem...
Old 12-11-08 | 09:44 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by jacobcartmill
i think those tripower LEDs would fix the hotspot problem...
I think this is going to be my last post in this matter, unless somebody needs some help and I can supply it.

Just as a side note, I didn't have a problem with the uniformity of the lighting, the LEDs I purchased from superbrightleds.com were absolutely fantastic. The only problem I had was that the only small light (74) that helps the backlighting, was a regular incandescent bulb. This caused the entire cluster to look light yellow, minus the area around the small incandescent bulb, which remained more on the amber side of the light spectrum.

I decided that I had stared at my messed up interior long enough to feel like I didn't want to wait any longer for any special order LED.
I also realized that even with the small LED to complete the lighting, I would have ended up with yellow backlighting in the instrument cluster (given that it would all have worked out) and amber lighting in the AC Panel.
I didn't know where/if I would find the LED replacement for a T5 bulb.

In the light of all this, I went to buy 4 194LL regular bulbs and I switched them with the 194 LEDs I had installed.

My instrument cluster and AC Panel look great, all lights are good and new, brighter than the old ones were, and my entire interior (minus the little trim panel between the door and the dash -tomorrow-) is back together, clean and looking pretty.

BTW, the re-installation of all the parts was 1000 times easier and faster than their removal. I was expecting for severe bitching and some pieces breaking... Instead, everything went in straight and painlessly.
I wish you all the same luck.

Last edited by gio64; 12-11-08 at 09:48 PM.
Old 12-12-08 | 12:56 AM
  #34  
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i was able to shave the lights down and they work perfectly now. used a dremel and badda bing...hehe

360 degree coverage and all is well
Old 12-12-08 | 01:04 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by silverTRD
i was able to shave the lights down and they work perfectly now. used a dremel and badda bing...hehe

360 degree coverage and all is well
what lights are you referring to? Don't just say LED's...what type etc?
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