Looking at updating my dash illumination a little bit.

 

Firstly, I swapped my main 4 T5s (or may have been T10) for white LED replacements about 6 years ago when I fitted my first set of UK dash clocks. I got the 'super bright white' ones which are about as bright as a lunar eclipse. I got use to them being a bit rubbish, but want something brighter with an even spread angle. I know those two don't really go hand-in-hand in terms of LED output. But I'm looking about

 

Secondly, I have never replaced the 4 neo-wedge T3 bulbs that sit behind the blue light bars recessed into the black part of the dash surround facing the clocks.. I've never actually notice these illuminate....does anyone have a photo of just these illuminated? I am considering getting some LED replacements for these too, but wondering whether it's actually worth it?

 

These are what I'm looking at (T3 Neo wedge)

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-T3-T4-T5-Neo-Wedge-Xenon-White-Dash-LED-Bulbs-/200941860441?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2ec9117659

 

Also these replacements for my current crappy T5 LEDs....wondering whether the SMD LEDs will be too bright in a concentrated area?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T5-286-T5-3LED-RECTANGLE-3-LED-RECTANGLE-White-LED-Light-Bulbs-2-Pack-/170729814771?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c04a3af3

 

I can't remember whether they're T10s even....are they? I think they are. 158 bulbs are T10?

 

....so also looking at these? However, not sure they'd fit the aperture?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-LED-Light-Bulbs-T10-501-W5W-Indicator-Number-Plate-Interior-Map-Light-Si-/310359392987?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4842dc82db

 

Or maybe these would throw the light out a lot more without it being direct illumination giving bright spots?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-LED-Light-Bulbs-T10-501-W5W-Indicator-Number-Plate-Interior-Map-Light-Si-/310359393000?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4842dc82e8

 

Lastly....and slightly unrelated, the glovebox catch has a plunger switch behind it....with 2 wires coming out of it. Now I've never traced these; what are they for because there sure as hell is no glovebox light. I am contemplating hacking a hole in one end of the glovebox and fitting illumination in it (using the same light module that we have in the boot area) - I will also get my glovebox inside flocked.

 

There should be a light just up and to the right. Takes one of those tiny bulbs

There should be a light just up and to the right. Takes one of those tiny bulbs

 

Awesome! Found it....and NEVER noticed it. It's tiny. I've even had the entire glovebox and all the trim out also when I re-did all my interior.

....useful link for bulb sizes.

 

http://z32.wikispaces.com/Light+Bulb+Guide

Hey Si,

 

I can tell you that you have to consider there Si limited space for the bulbs inside the holes...

 

pull your spare set apart and have a good look.. :)

The neo wedges are ok for the drivers pod, but the angle of the light is not sufficient for the aircon pod. To help with spread i usually sand the top off the dome of the led, also diffuses the light rather than getting a hotspot.

Aircon pod i use 2 leds in each aperture with the obvious blue and red for the temp arrows.

 

T10 or 501 for the dash, i tried several variants to get a good light spread and ended up with the 5 way 501 which just about fit in the hole and to get rid of the hotspots i used a couple of led strips as in the files below.

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51292&d=1257699780

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51293&d=1257699780

 

Generally the light bar at the bottom of the front of the dash will give a front light and can glare off the dials or spoil the overall backlit effect so i never use them.

 

For the dash you cant have a an led ftiing that is too long as it will hit the light pipe of the diffuser on the rear of each dial face.

 

You are not looking for real in your face brightness, but a nice even OEM look light spread, which often photos of said effect dont show unless you have a great camera lol.

Thanks Graham!

 

Looks quite involving, but looks good. I think I am just going to replace what 'plug n play' stuff I can for now.

 

The 5 way 501, are you talking about these?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-501-T10-W5W-PUSH-WEDGE-5-SMD-LED-360-HID-XENON-WHITE-SIDE-LIGHT-BULBS-L-K-/300626566747?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45febd5e5b

Hi Si, I have the T3 neo wedge from an ebay supplier and fitted them to my saab..... they are actually better than I was expecting.... as they are so small and the original bulbs were tiny there isn't a lot of difference...

I think when I replaced the bigger 501 bulbs, that is when it showed for me. I did my auto shifter illumination and it was pants with LED's I got.. I refitted new 501's in the end...

I will be doing the same as you sometime, when I actually get a battery back in the car...... So am watching this thread to see what you come up with......

Russ

 

Must type faster.....

Edited August 5, 201312 yr by veilside01702
typing too slow

Hi Si, I have the T3 neo wedge from an ebay supplier and fitted them to my saab..... they are actually better than I was expecting.... as they are so small and the original bulbs were tiny there isn't a lot of difference...

I think when I replaced the bigger 501 bulbs, that is when it showed for me. I did my auto shifter illumination and it was pants with LED's I got.. I refitted new 501's in the end...

I will be doing the same as you sometime, when I actually get a battery back in the car...... So am watching this thread to see what you come up with......

Russ

 

What LEDs did you fit before hand? T10 and 501 are the same thing I think. I fitted T10 and the light is rubbish.

 

Hey Si,

 

I can tell you that you have to consider there Si limited space for the bulbs inside the holes...

 

pull your spare set apart and have a good look.. :)

 

I have it sat next to me....just sticking my fingers in the holes! lol. I think I could get these in it actually which would sit directly next to the light pipes.

 

The one's I had were about 6 forward facing LED's in a 501 plastic casing.... they were in my garage for a few years, so thought I would try them and regretted it... The LED's have come on so much in terms of output and size since I had bought these.... It was about the time all the boy racers started getting colour changing 501 LED's...

The ones you are looking at actually light things up.......lol

No these ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-194-168-T10-2825-5-LED-WHITE-Wedge-Car-Bulb-Light-/310717914472?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48583b1d68

 

But the smd ones should be ok in white, dont get the same spread with blue.

 

Trial and error with some of the latest 501's that are coming on the market to see which works best for you.

Hi Si, I have the T3 neo wedge from an ebay supplier and fitted them to my saab..... they are actually better than I was expecting.... as they are so small and the original bulbs were tiny there isn't a lot of difference...

I think when I replaced the bigger 501 bulbs, that is when it showed for me. I did my auto shifter illumination and it was pants with LED's I got.. I refitted new 501's in the end...

I will be doing the same as you sometime, when I actually get a battery back in the car...... So am watching this thread to see what you come up with......

Russ

 

Must type faster.....

 

 

I found if you are keeping the same colour and led strip is good for the auto selector.

Yeah, I wanna stick with plain white. I just want it crisp looking rather than all sorts of colours. The ones I fitted in mine were these type....and they're junk.

 

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

No these ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-194-168-T10-2825-5-LED-WHITE-Wedge-Car-Bulb-Light-/310717914472?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48583b1d68

 

But the smd ones should be ok in white, dont get the same spread with blue.

 

Trial and error with some of the latest 501's that are coming on the market to see which works best for you.

 

Thanks for the link! :)

Yeah, I wanna stick with plain white. I just want it crisp looking rather than all sorts of colours. The ones I fitted in mine were these type....and they're junk.

 

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

 

 

Thanks for the link! :)

 

I just fitted those. and yup, complete crap. Essentially just give 4 blue spots on the clocks and nothing else.

Yes they are a crock of shite lol, they were the first ones i ever tried.

 

I have it sat next to me....just sticking my fingers in the holes! lol. I think I could get these in it actually which would sit directly next to the light pipes.

 

 

the problem will be when you try to turn them... they look too long to me (I had the same issue)... :) always best to test...

Mine are just faint. Not spotty.....here....shite!

 

I found if you are keeping the same colour and led strip is good for the auto selector.

Thanks for that, I will have to try them.... when I get the time....lol

Mine are just faint. Not spotty.....here....shite!

 

 

Looks like there is a problem with your fuel gauge, mine hasnt reached that high in years :lol:

Looks like there is a problem with your fuel gauge, mine hasnt reached that high in years :lol:

 

Perhaps he's rolled the car, or moved to Australia? :D

Perhaps he's moved to Australia? :D

 

you mean where people can afford to fill up...

you mean where people can afford to fill up...

 

No....where everything with legs,wings and fins wants to eat you:wacko: