Instrument panel lamps

[Kelley W King]

Any of you tried the led 194 bulbs to make things brighter? Dimmer problems? Color?

[crossboss]

This very topic has been discussed on other car sites. Let me explain how those lamps work: brighter is determined by one of two factors: voltage and color temperature. Color temp you say? A quick lesson on how it is rated: a 'low' color temp is like a burning candle, it appears orange, its Kelvin rating is around 800 to 1,200. A 'high' color temp appears white or blue, and is rated 8,500 up. 'Daylight' is 5,600K. Home bulbs are around 3,600K. Think of it as how film is rated: daylight, or tungsten. Its the same as bulbs or lights. Hope this helps.

[crossboss]

Boys,
Sorry If I was a bit too technical on the terminology describing the Kelvin ratings. Here is a chart to simplify the meanings:

[Kelley W King]

Thanks for the reply crossboss. I understand LED technology. What I really was looking for was someone who had tryed it in a stock dash. Since the bulbs really illuminate from behind the gage faces I was wondering how much the bright white appeared or if it appeared close to stock just brighter. Also if the stock dimmer switch worked with them? Based on what I have done with 120 volt bulbs some dim eraticly if at all without the proper dimmer. The bulbs are kind of pricey so I may try a couple in the clock on my midyear vette since the are easy to change just to compare.

[crossboss]

No prob. glad to help. The dimmer switch can be the issue. 50 plus year old parts do wear out. Also, as I have learned/read, on the aftermarket/re-pro switches are notorious for failures. Some guys are installing a blue gel (this increases the Kelvin rating), with out the removal/replacement of costly bulbs.

[77thor]

I updated all my dash/instrument bulbs with Green/Red/Blue LEDs for the various locations/indicators when I replaced my dash wiring harness. 
They are much brighter than stock.
I just selected the LEDs recommended on SuperBrightLEDs.com for our application (69 Camaro).
They recommend using the colored LEDs and not white.
Easy peasy.

[firstgenaddict]

The local NCRS president put LED's in his headlamps and had planned on putting them in the gauges, but the amperage draw from the headlamps was so much less that the standard interior lights brightened up so much he ended up dimming them some.