Dash Light Upgrade

[Capt Kirk]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=601305581&r=0&t=0


Is what this guy selling any good? I know my car needs a new rheostat for the dash lights (I can barely make out the temp gauge, and I heard something break loose in the dash a while back) but what about those bulbs he's selling?

[jcd]

While I am not an electronics expert, I have read threads about "upgrading bulbs" melting the plastic housing.

Here's what I did,

1. Replace all bulbs with OEM replacements.
2. I replaced the potentiometer, but Larry Bible recommends hard wiring the existing pot on full bright (probably a better approach)
3. Clean the gauges and the inside of the instrument panel.
4. Clean the plastic "prism" that directs the light from the bulb to the diffuser at the front of the instrument panel.
5. Paint the diffuser with gloss white paint (aids reflection)

This had a significant positive impact. Althought I don't need sunglasses, I can see the gauges very well, even when passing under streetlights and when being followed by a tailgater (happens alot in NJ) or with the dome light on.

My 2 cents.

JCD

[diesel don]

I'm with JCD:

Good advice there and the results are very nice. Not perfect but very nice. You can read the odometer at night, etc.
I did hard-wire it because I didn't want to mess with the knob anymore. I am simply waiting for more time to tackle the 2nd MB with the same fix.

Don

[Capt Kirk]

Yeah I'm with you guys as well. It jsut struck me as odd that this guy was selling little blue bulbs as the anwser

[Billybob]

After checking out that link it appears that he is selling a new dimmer switch and the two bulbs as a kit! No? The new rheostate would make the most difference I would think. The bulbs may make a smaller difference as they may produce a different spectra of light, that may be more visible. Using highly reflective paint on the reflector/diffuser and the instrument panel itself would have the greatest effect most likely as the dash light is first reflected off the diffuser and towards the panel face then from the panel face lettering and numbering to the drivers eyes. Light light actually moves in a Z shaped path off two reflective surfaces. In a past life I used to paint the lines at roadway intersections where we used a heated plastic type paint that we sprayed down and then we sparyed glass beads onto the surface of the molten paint. Maybe a white paint with some fine glass particle would be most reflective. White paint would probably be better than any metalic as white refects all color light hitting it. Another similar post I wondered if the new white light LEDs would make a suitable replacement when modified into a bulb shaped holder? This guy on Ebay seems to always have items with a highly inflated price and excessive shipping costs. What does a new rheostate cost anywhere else? Just some thoughts, Good luck.

Just checked Fastlane
P3012-11761 Dash Light Rheostat VDO $28.50 $25.76 The other guy wanted $37.50 +$3.50s&h?? =$11+ for two blue bulbs