Instrument lights

[pshaginaw]

How can I get the instrument lights in my '78 GL1000 to be brighter? Going through the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I can barely see my spedo and tach, and I cannot see my temp, fuel, and voltage lights at all. In my garage, by cupping my hands around the guages I can see the lights are all on. I have stock bulbs in the fixtures and have replaced the 7v regulator. All other electrics work fine.

[WingAdmin]

These bulbs after years of use, tend to coat the inside of the bulb with metal that is evaporated from the filament. The end result looks something like this:



When this happens, the amount of light getting out of the bulb is minimal. I'd suggest replacing them with LEDs, which put out lots of light, won't go dark like this, and will last many times longer than the original bulbs.

[Fred Camper]

1 smd led work great for most, I used 5 smd led for the tach and speedo and the results were outstanding. Pics on my build page at Ngwclub. Search Fred Camper Baddog.

[pshaginaw]

Took Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.

[swr1977]

Took Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.

OK.. I know this post was from several years ago but I'm wondering if you have or remember what type / LED # you ordered? I'd like to do the same but don't know what to search for on ebay.

[SnoBrdr]

Took Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.

OK.. I know this post was from several years ago but I'm wondering if you have or remember what type / LED # you ordered? I'd like to do the same but don't know what to search for on ebay.

Should be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421

I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.

[swr1977]

Should be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421

I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.

Thanks... I don't usually ride at night so I don't think them being to bright will be an issue for me. I do need to find replacement #1157s for my turn signals. and I think I'll need to replace the turn signal relay? could you tell me when you get them for a good price?

[SnoBrdr]

Should be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421

I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.

Thanks... I don't usually ride at night so I don't think them being to bright will be an issue for me. I do need to find replacement #1157s for my turn signals. and I think I'll need to replace the turn signal relay? could you tell me when you get them for a good price?

I've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.

They don't last for crap.

I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/

You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.

The ones from China are even worse in my experience.

You also need to know what color to get for what lense.

[swr1977]

I've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.

They don't last for crap.

I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/

You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.

The ones from China are even worse in my experience.

You also need to know what color to get for what lense.

I've been putting off ordering any because I don't know what to order at https://www.superbrightleds.com/ as they have many different LED replacements options for the #1157 and #53! Can you make any suggestions? (provide a link to what you ordered?) You mentioned needing to know what color to get for the lense... I was just going to order all white because the brake/turn signal lenses are already red/orange.

Also they don't have a direct replacement for the turn signal relay. I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ry_of=1915
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any idea?

[SnoBrdr]

I've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.

They don't last for crap.

I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/

You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.

The ones from China are even worse in my experience.

You also need to know what color to get for what lense.

I've been putting off ordering any because I don't know what to order at https://www.superbrightleds.com/ as they have many different LED replacements options for the #1157 and #53! Can you make any suggestions? (provide a link to what you ordered?) You mentioned needing to know what color to get for the lense... I was just going to order all white because the brake/turn signal lenses are already red/orange.

Also they don't have a direct replacement for the turn signal relay. I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ry_of=1915
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any idea?

This is what I ordered:

2 1157-R18-T: Red
1 1157-A27-T: Amber
2 1156-A27-T: Amber
2 BA9S-AHP5: Amber

As far as the color: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb ... olorChoice

[swr1977]

This is what I ordered:

2 1157-R18-T: Red
1 1157-A27-T: Amber
2 1156-A27-T: Amber
2 BA9S-AHP5: Amber

As far as the color: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb ... olorChoice

Thanks...

I'm looking at https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... 2077/4726/ but don't know which to order for the white... what do you think would be better Cool 6100K or Warm 2700K for the instrument panel lights?

Did you replace your turn signal relay? I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ory_of=811
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any ideas?