Led Bulbs???
 

Hey Guys!!

I would like to replace the bulbs in my gauges with LED ones, the gauges work and look perfect, so, I dont want to change them, just want to change the bulbs, any idea where you can buy them, cheap?, any input would be greatly appreciated!, Thanks!!

Michael

Not sure what type of gauges or bulbs you have but try summitracing.com
Here is a link to the LED bulds they have. They are 194 buld style which I beleave is what most gauges use.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294812047
Goodluck
Erik

ebay is your best bet...i redid the bulbs on my truck with all LED's...love it! Only thing is (and its not realy a problem on boats) but there is no dimmer function for LED's

Livorsi has both the wedge and bayonet base style LED bulbs.
http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/dash_...m#led_lighting

We stock the wedge style LED bulb, in red only. $ 7.50@ Not really trying to sell you, use only if you strike out on your endeavors.

Cool!, if I cant find them "local", I will give you a call, Thanks Again!

Michael

One of the guys on Donzi.net got some off eBay for pennies on the dollar compared to Livorsi.

Wally you can dim them but it is kind of weird how you do it. They dim not from voltage like a regular light, they dim from current. There is only about 1/2 volt diference between full bright and dim on a LED so you have to play with the curent. I will try and find the scematic if you want.

I have tried Ebay, but, when you put in "LED Lights" you get about 1/2 million results!, I think I have found a place locally that will sell them, as long as they can match up the bulbs, I would like to say "THANKS" to everyone for the help!

Audiofn: I would Love to see a schematic!, would be pretty cool if I could rig up a "dimmer" switch in one of the stock Baja switch locations!, very cool indeed!

Michael

Hell yeah dude! if you got it handy fire it over or post it up! :D

I will try and find the diagram that I had a while back but this was a good artical (I think it is the one I did not read it) about the basics of doing it.

http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org...ntrolLED.shtml

This is the formula Wally. I know you will understand it. If not I can look for more ways to explain it.

LEDs are current driven, not voltage driven. So, by placing a resistor in series with the LED, that will reduce the current driving it. Most LEDs require anywhere from 5-40ma of current, so a easy formula is resistance=voltage/current. Actually the formula is voltage equals the supply voltage minus the forward drop of the diode, but for this implementation its close enough. For the 12volts, you have roughly 2400ohms on the dim side and 300ohms on the bright side

Or you can use a variable resistor and that will allow you to dim like ussual.

Wally I am not sure if you have ever been to this place but it is FANTASTIC for questions like this.

This link and there are many other embeded links talk about dimming LEDs. There are some issues but it can be done.

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/sh...ad.php?t=19805

Jon

These guys are pretty good, I changed all the lighting on my cruiser to LED. I can't remember how I found them, it was either someone on here or Ebay.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/

super bright LED yep they have actiual dimentions and lumens and color frequency. i did mine 2 years ago. works great and alot less current draw for when i spend the night on the water.

OK, thanks for ALL the help guys, I have found a place that sells LED lights and they are quite reasoable!, my one question is about color, my gauges are white faced Gaffrig's, and the bulbs that where originally in the gauges had "red" diffusers over them, however, some of the LED websites I checked out claim that you should use bulbs with the same color as your gauge faces?, which in my case are white. I could probably get away just fine with White bulbs, but, do like the look of the red light on the gauges, any thoughts???

AS ALWAYS, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Michael

cool dude thanks! :D

Get them on ebay. I did all of my guages but the compass for $8. My guages are white faced with orange needle. I put blue bulbs in there and it looked really good, made the need glow almost. I would think the white bulbs would do the same and look really good. White may be too bright and really hurt your night vision though. I dont know how to post pics on OSO or I would. For only $8, it was the most bling for the dolla I ever spent on the boat.

I would LOVE to replace mine for $8!, sadly, when I try and find them on Ebay I get about 10,000 results for "LED bulbs" and haven't found anyone [other than businesses] that sell them reasonable, do you happen to remember who you got them from??, that would be a great help!

Thanks!
Michael

Red:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x-T...1%7C240%3A1318

White:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x-T...1%7C240%3A1318

These are 194 bulbs, every livorsi compas I've seen is a 74 bulb, I think thats the size. Let me know and I'll find the same color bulb in that size.

THANKS!! Brwn234!

They will work great for most of my applications, some of my gauges and interior lights use the "push and twist" style base, instead of the tapered one, any ideas on them?, my gauges are older style "Gaffrig" ones, I will also pop the light out of my compass and let you know!, Thanks again for the help at that price I will order BOTH white and red and see which one I like better and still be out hardly ANY money, Appreciat the help, Thanks!!

Michael

White:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-12V-B8-5D-1-2...3286.m20.l1116

Red:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-12V-B8-5D-1-2...3286.m20.l1116

I think those are the ones.

Wally not sure if you tried anything with the dimmer but I found this looking around and thought it may work for you.

http://www.ecolightled.com/product/p...d_light_dimmer

Jon

NICE! and a good price to for such a compact unit! I found a few schematics online but have yet to build one...now looks like i wont have to! :D thanks Jon

www.superbrightleds.com, I just changed mine, and they look great!