Different Bulbs/Info for the Dash Clocks

[phutumsch]

Personally mine are series 4 but as far as i am aware all through the years all clocks have 4 x 501/T10 wedge type bulbs for the illumination of the dials/needles, 1 x 501/T10 is for the illumination of the low fuel symbol.

 

All were originally clear filament bulbs with coloured rubber johnnies on, these are shown on the first pic - the 2 on the left.

 

In this pic we also see some of the different types, some are clearly way too long, there are literally hundreds to choose from, all of these were bought on ebay from the far east.

 

 

The most recent i bought are the red boarded smd ones, it was in the back of my mind that they may be a bit long, lets not forget these clocks were designed with only short stumpy filament bulbs in mind but things have moved on.

 

Here you see one fitted, please note the 2 x clear plastic diffusers that surround it, not this particular position but on at least two others the bulb fouled on them, too long you see, so all i did was either take a bit on the contact side off and/or take a bit off the diffuser itself with a small grinder on my rotary tool.

 

 

You want really a 501 bulb that offers 360 degree of light, the one 5th from the left does not offer this and these were fit until recently and in one of the four bulb positions i used the bulb 3rd from the left. If iirc 3 of the bulb positions have at least 2 diffusers that the light 'hits', in one position though - the very end on the right....just the one, the one where i used the 3rd from the left bulb.

 

I am lucky as i have, with tails, all the multi plugs so i can test like below and play about :).

 

I did get as you'd imagine finger marks on the dials, i just fingered on/gently rubbed some glass cleaner and these disappeared and/or evaporated away.

 

 

All done and these to me seem brighter, again my camera is picking out the bright spots but to the human eye these are crisp, even and white. Of course it's up to you as you may desire red or blue bulbs but personally atm i'm happy with white.

 

One of the main things i take note on pictures of other peoples clocks, are how poorly lit the needles are but i seem to have all these uniformly illuminated, i will fit to the car and update further.

 

[Richie K]

They look very well Andy, they'll look even better back in the car :thumbup1: what do I do to get those red bulbs (3rd from right) to fit? Am I right in thinking I can pare a bit off the bottom of the bulb, did you grind into the metal contacts??

Thanks for the info mate:thumbup1:

[dutchgold92]

How much did you pay for all of the bulbs, roughly? The OEM ones are fairly expensive. Zone do a nice LED kit but it would probably still come to about €100 with shipping.

[toolboxtrev]

andy they do look nice and crisp, good work mate,,

[Richie K]

How much did you pay for all of the bulbs, roughly? The OEM ones are fairly expensive. Zone do a nice LED kit but it would probably still come to about €100 with shipping.

 

Ha! I got two sets of 5 for €15 plus €4.95 Parcel Motel fee Jay:thumbup1: That was based on Andy's advice and link

[phutumsch]

Am I right in thinking I can pare a bit off the bottom of the bulb, did you grind into the metal contacts??

 

Yep Richie just grind right through them, obviously leave enough, i just held them on the wheel on the bench grinder and they trimmed down a treat.

[phutumsch]

I have fit into the car and i'm well chuffed with them, i cannot tell anyone to get the same exact bulbs as they are not a straight fit.

 

The left pod is missing as overnight it is having a slight repair to its rear.

 

[Alic]

Looks great but in your car would look nicer with blue Leds since your gauges etc are blue. Looks much better though :thumbup1:

[Slick Pete.]

Looks great but in your car would look nicer with blue Leds since your gauges etc are blue.

 

In your haste to keyboard I think you have missed a few letters off at the end.

They are " IMHO"

 

Maybe you didnt see all of Andys comments..........

I have fit into the car and i'm well chuffed with them,

 

FYI Andy is the forums resident "lighting guru" and is skilled and passionate about his work.

Im sure he would have fitted blue if he wanted it blue:biggrin:

[Alic]

In your haste to keyboard I think you have missed a few letters off at the end.

They are " IMHO"

 

Maybe you didnt see all of Andys comments..........

 

 

FYI Andy is the forums resident "lighting guru" and is skilled and passionate about his work.

Im sure he would have fitted blue if he wanted it blue:biggrin:

 

By no means am I belittling his work, i think it looks fantastic, sure enough i should have said

Looks great but in your car IMO would look nicer with blue Leds since your gauges etc are blue. Looks much better though :thumbup1:

But there is no offence taken here i hope.

[Richie K]

Yep Richie just grind right through them, obviously leave enough, i just held them on the wheel on the bench grinder and they trimmed down a treat.

 

thanks for the help mate, it's appreciated:thumbup1:

[Slick Pete.]

By no means am I belittling his work, i think it looks fantastic, sure enough i should have said

 

But there is no offence taken here i hope.

 

No offence whatsover will be taken by long term members.

I did not accuse you of belittling Andys work.

Its great to have new and younger members on board this forum.:yes:

And its good to have opinions and debate.:thumbup1:

[phutumsch]

Looks great but in your car would look nicer with blue Leds since your gauges etc are blue. Looks much better though :thumbup1:

 

It takes only 10 mins to get the clocks out and nothing i do on my car is ever long term, sure i've thought about matching blue or red and in the future no doubt i'll acquire some and see how it looks but these white ones are actually quite bright and they do actually match but that is maybe not coming across on the pic.

[phutumsch]

This video does not paint the clocks in a true light really, however it does show that these recently fit bulbs are brighter than the ones fit before as i thought it was marginal and i was doubting myself but you can clearly see the difference on this video.

 

Video taken down by me............it wasn't very good as my car battery was dying which didn't help, please see the pic further down, thank you.

Edited December 22, 2015 by phutumsch
Video...Gone !!!

[phutumsch]

I feel i owe this thread a far better pic, the video i have done is truly awful and both on that and the earlier pic i think the battery voltage was not what it should of been.

 

So after briefly charging i started the car up and i hope this below is better, these white bulbs are bright, bet your odometer read is not as well lit but i'll be honest i have got out some (run of the mill) red and blue bulbs to maybe fit, whether i find them bright enough.......not sure but as suggested and i am well aware one of these colours will match better my colour scheme :cool:.