Another LED upgrade on the optic
#1
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As I mentioned on the other post, I am trying to upgrade my XJ6 S3 daskboard’s light to LED. I did all the gauges and it looks great. Then I move on to the Optic part of the car. To my surprise, only the light switch and arrows and air knob show some improvements. So I took the console apart and find out most of the optic lines are either pinched, bended or broken. Thinking I am going to have to replace all the optic lines and where I can get them. Then I sew the broken power driver has a LED light and it looks like it is small enough to work, and it does. It is a 3mm single LED bulb.
(pictures 1)
So I order a bunch of 3mm green single LED bulbs from Ebay and hope that I can eliminate the optic completely.
It took more then a month of them to get here and I am immediately started working on it. Here is how it looks on the light switch.
(pictures 2)
Here is how they look when I wired then all.
(pictures 3)
back and front.
(pictures 4)
Here is how they look when I put them back in.
(pictures 5)
Picture I took from my iPhone in the dark not real good. But you can see they are pretty bright. I am in the process to get a adjustable voltage regulator so I can dim the light to match the gauges intensity. I will post the result when finished.
(pictures 1)
So I order a bunch of 3mm green single LED bulbs from Ebay and hope that I can eliminate the optic completely.
It took more then a month of them to get here and I am immediately started working on it. Here is how it looks on the light switch.
(pictures 2)
Here is how they look when I wired then all.
(pictures 3)
back and front.
(pictures 4)
Here is how they look when I put them back in.
(pictures 5)
Picture I took from my iPhone in the dark not real good. But you can see they are pretty bright. I am in the process to get a adjustable voltage regulator so I can dim the light to match the gauges intensity. I will post the result when finished.
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Sarc (04-06-2016)
#2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tehama County, California, USA
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That looks really nice.
But, um, you might have trouble dimming these. LEDs have a very narrow voltage requirement range, and if it gets too low, they merely don't light up. (you can ask me how I know) Dimmable LEDs small enough for your application may be available somewhere but I haven't found any.
(';')
But, um, you might have trouble dimming these. LEDs have a very narrow voltage requirement range, and if it gets too low, they merely don't light up. (you can ask me how I know) Dimmable LEDs small enough for your application may be available somewhere but I haven't found any.
(';')
#3
#4
#5
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Dimming an LED... This maybe sounds like a dopey solution as I have never tried it but I might try dipping the bulbs in ink or some such thing (Food coloring ?) probably needs a thin film of something to reduce glare maybe something like a varnish /stain the yellowish hue might make the green appear less bright and s bit warmer. This is something I want to do with my 86 VDP - change all this dinky lighting Damn these Brits must be part owl my MGB was the same ...Land of the redundant rheostat.
Last edited by alynmurray; 03-31-2016 at 07:20 PM.
#6
#7
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Finally the voltage regulator is here. I did a quick test and it work pretty well. So I put it in and adjusted those 3mm single LED bulbs to about half the intensity of the full 12v. They looks pretty good to me. I was thinking to replace the dim switch on the dash with the regulator since it doesn't dim the light anymore after the LED upgrade. But realize it would be a bit of work to take the center console a part again. So I just mount it in the storage compartment in the console for now.
I Will take and post some pictures of the dash soon.
I Will take and post some pictures of the dash soon.
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Three thoughts: Early for that, huh! Still sipping coffee. Coco has been out and had his kibble and chopped turkey...
1. Replacement fibre optic cables must be out there somewhere. I've had a little Christmas tree that has one non LED bulb at the base, A spinning wheel and cable to spread the colors around. Impressed me.
2. ATT is stringing fiber optics in to older neighborhoods to enhance service. I thought I was getting it a few years ago. Sale Rep over stated!!! Gee, should've known.
3. My 88 Tbird had a digital dash including a speedo that did not dim with the other numbers. The days of 85 max speedo's. Galled me to no end. Disturbing at night. Slick, a business card fit right over it.
The Tbird could go much faster, I know. I drove it way past that, but that cyclops eye stayed at 85.
Carl
1. Replacement fibre optic cables must be out there somewhere. I've had a little Christmas tree that has one non LED bulb at the base, A spinning wheel and cable to spread the colors around. Impressed me.
2. ATT is stringing fiber optics in to older neighborhoods to enhance service. I thought I was getting it a few years ago. Sale Rep over stated!!! Gee, should've known.
3. My 88 Tbird had a digital dash including a speedo that did not dim with the other numbers. The days of 85 max speedo's. Galled me to no end. Disturbing at night. Slick, a business card fit right over it.
The Tbird could go much faster, I know. I drove it way past that, but that cyclops eye stayed at 85.
Carl
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