Zero Knievel Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I'm thinking of upgrading the cluster backlights so that I can see things better at night. E-mailing a supplier, they said the OEM bulb looks like a Type 194 bulb. Anyone else try this? What's the original bulb output (lumens) that's I'm looking to top? Google-fu seems to indicate 25 lumens as an average. The ones I'm looking at are rated 90 lumens. Pretty much all the others are so close to 25 that it wouldn't be much of an improvement. https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-5-smd-led-tower-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/206/6774/ https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-w-socket-5-smd-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/841/7002/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Might just be old bulbs being dim and need replacing. Might be worth a shot to try. Thinking thst going too bright might cause a distraction in itself. 90 lumens is bright for a display bulb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 I have color options...which might "tone down" it being overpowering. IIRC, I replaced the bulbs before...they just don't put out that much light...which sucks if you want a good read of your instruments in the dark. UV (Blacklight), Blue, Green, Amber, & Red in addition to three color temps for white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I would go with IR light bulbs then to be sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 "IR"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Infrared light color with matching lens gives the best performance, imagine picking a different color will help dim it down but seems counter intuitive to go down this path. Going from 25 to 90 lumens for a dash bulb just sounds extreme. Hence why i suggested trying to replace with oem bulb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Red. Easy to see and doesn't fuck with your vision, it's what most boat instruments use. You can make it pretty bright and still won't fuck with your vision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Slowridecx did an LED conversion I can't remember if he posted it here or on Facebook. Anyways, I bought the same LEDs off eBay from China for about $5, they look great and I'm happy with the results. I did buy twice as many as I needed because they're cheap, and as expected some were DOA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 Well, pulled a bulb to size compare at WalMart. They had the same size in LED for half the price. Bought 4 and will see if I like them. If they are too much, but brighter, I might just try ordering them in a color like RED and see how they work. If I don't like them, I can return them with no hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Will also did the conversion years ago. A really good search might find his post. I really miss him and Redd. Or you could get a 01 and higher that came with LEDs in the cluster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 4 hours ago, redxxrdr said: Or you could get a 01 and higher that came with LEDs in the cluster. You sure? Mine don't look like LEDs, but I guess a good LED set up like Honda would do won't be obvious. Some LED swaps I've seen look kinda crappy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I wouldn't suggest white...I'd go red or blue. White can be blinding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Well, here's the LED bulbs installed. Nowhere near TOO bright for me. I'm not sure what the lumen rating is on the WalMart bulbs, though...it's not on the package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 What does the highbeam indicator light look like? That one on my 02 is blue and blinding to me when in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 The indicator lights are still OEM. They are plenty bright (perhaps not during the day on the HB). I see no reason to make them LED at this point. They're also smaller bulbs than the ones used for backlighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Gotcha... the gauges look nice.. not really blinding at all. Come do mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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