Instrument Cluster Lighting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 12-06-2010, 01:30 PM

Finally got around to playing with the dash lighting of my D's. I wanted to brighten the dash lights to resolve the perennial dim light issue of the W123 dash.

However, I made the mistake of thinking that the twist type lights were the dash lights. So for now I only replaced the twist type cluster llights and the console lights with LEDs that I got from Super Bright LEDs. I used their high power LEDs instead of the standard. The results are noticeable.

The 6 twist types probably did not need replacing as each mainly lit up specific functions: turn signal, brake, alt, hi beam, etc. But I didn't mind since I know the LEDs consume less amps and run much cooler. From the output of these lights, I can tell that the dash lights will be much brighter. I'll take a picture when all are in.

Here's what I replaced:
Twist type: (6) 74-x Wedge Base LED bulb Cool White 74-W
Console: (4) B8-HP series Instrument LED bulb White B8.5D-WHP
Console Center: (1) 74-CWHP3 Cool White
Dash: (2) WLED-x5 LED Wide Angle LED bulb Cool White WLED-CW5 (on order)

The console center needs a wide angle light since it needs to transmit it to the switches above. I first tried a regular one but its was not bright enough to reach the switches.

These lights are also polarity dependent so if they don't light up at first that means they need to be turned around.

Attached pics of b4 lites. I'll post the after once the LEDs are in.

mikeyfev1 · #2 12-06-2010, 09:22 PM

Perfect timing..I was thinking about a posting asking about replacing dash lights with LEDs. Thanks for the info and let us know how it works out.

cirrusman · #3 12-06-2010, 11:17 PM

I'm wondering how black light LEDs would look...

ngarover · #4 12-07-2010, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusman

I'm wondering how black light LEDs would look...

make your teeth purple...

layback40 · #5 12-07-2010, 07:18 AM

Will b interesting to see if the dimmer control has any effect after the mod.

micalk · #6 12-07-2010, 09:31 AM

Doesn't alternator light need to be a bulb to provide continuity for the field wire? I guess if it turns on with engine not running and out when it does it should be okay. Just wondering...

tobybul · #7 12-12-2010, 08:24 PM

I'm still playing with my dash lights. I got the LED I ordered but I think its the wrong lite pattern. The 194 dash light LED bulb needs to have a narrow pattern in order to project forward rather than the wide pattern I ordered. So I'm returning those and get the narrow pattern ones.

In the mean time I put back the original lites and I did some tweeking on trying to brighten the "path" of the 2 lights. See pics below. I popped out the black plastic cover of where the lite travels and put a white piece of paper so it would reflect. Notice I also slit and curled one end. Then I snapped the cover back.

This helped intensify the dash lite so its a bit brighter.

tbomachines · #8 12-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Funny I just completely redid my LED instrument cluster today. I ended up using blue (470nm) clusters and gluing them to the top of the "window" area. The result is a nice deep blue and the gauges glow almost like black lights. Honestly...its awesome

I know a lot of folks simply replace their existing bulbs with LED drop-ins, but my cluster was still extremely dim. I took a pictur, I'll upload it in a bit

tobybul · #9 12-12-2010, 09:40 PM

I'm starting to think the same that simply changing the bulb may not make a significant improvement. Would be interested to see what you did.

something like this?
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2Fpcblamp_T10.htm

tbomachines · #10 12-12-2010, 09:53 PM

Here is the cluster installed. I forgot to put the blinker bulbs back in

so I can take some more pictures after I take it back out. The blue is much deeper than my iphone makes it out to be, cameras seem to have trouble capturing LEDs' true wavelength. You can see I clued the units to where the fiber optic "crystals" output their light, I ran the wires on the top of the cluster and soldered them in where the old bulbs went. Normal driving position you can't see the LEDs at all, just their glow...picture was taken at steering wheel level.

tobybul · #11 12-12-2010, 09:59 PM

where'd you get the lite? Is it similar to the link I posted above?

pawoSD · #12 12-12-2010, 10:00 PM

That's way too bright, I'd go crazy. I vastly prefer the dim glow of the stock lights. The stock lighting in a W124 is dramatically brighter than in a W123/W126. Replacing the cluster bulbs on mine made it a bit brighter. I like it dim.

tbomachines · #13 12-12-2010, 10:03 PM

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Optek/OVM12F3B7/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMurHQmwyojo5OW190Fb5pHGah8iBuy367s%3d

I agree the w124 is much brighter, my 300E is fine at its brightest but the w126 isn't even close. With bulbs there is almost no light, and with super high power LEDs the cluster is just barely readable. I like my lights about as bright as I can get them, this is a dramatic improvement IMO.

tobybul · #14 12-12-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Optek/OVM12F3B7/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMurHQmwyojo5OW190Fb5pHGah8iBuy367s%3d

I agree the w124 is much brighter, my 300E is fine at its brightest but the w126 isn't even close. With bulbs there is almost no light, and with super high power LEDs the cluster is just barely readable. I like my lights about as bright as I can get them, this is a dramatic improvement IMO.

so u soldered it to the board or did u get a T10 base for it?

tbomachines · #15 12-12-2010, 10:37 PM

Just soldered it to the board where the sockets went--bottom contact is the +12V and top is the ground.