Brighter instrument cluster lighting question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

337 · 08-28-2004, 01:11 AM

Who saved the info on painting the inside of the cluster white?
I believe it was suppose to make the guage lighting brighter.

I have taken a spare set of guages apart to mess around with and clean.
I will replace my idiot lights with these.

I would have done a search but...

*Robo_bot* · 08-28-2004, 01:13 AM

u should wire in LED's then itll be bright

hanssolo · 08-28-2004, 01:17 AM

Someone said they used silver or aluminum paint cause it reflected more. So I went that route. Also always wondered between the 2 diff. bulbs if one was brighter than the other. Only diff. I see is one is slightly taller than the other.

337 · 08-28-2004, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanssolo

Someone said they used silver or aluminum paint cause it reflected more.

So you painted over the puke green pan right?
Could you tell a difference?

I know changing to the new 94 amp alternater will brighen the lights, but i want to wait on replacing my alt.
The current alt is still good and i see no need in replacing it at this time.

The guages and harness only cost me about $15.

hanssolo · 08-28-2004, 01:34 AM

Yes, it helped a lot but still have to crank it to max. I also have an SI 10 alt. Also mine runs off a 11.98 v. wire and was thinking of tieing into the 12.6 v. line. Not neccessary but was hoping it would be so bright I could use the color bulbs. Colored bulbs too dim still even with aluminum paint.

jimfulco · 08-28-2004, 03:14 AM

http://73-87.com/7387garage/garage_interior.htm

This refers to later trucks, but it might be useful info. Click on "brighter dash lights".

GMC Jim · 08-28-2004, 03:28 AM

The standard lamps used in the intstrument panel are # 194 which are 2 candle power. Recomend using the # 168 which are 3 candle power.... 1/3 brighter and no significant increase in amperage....

hanssolo · 08-28-2004, 03:06 PM

Jim, thats the ticket! Thanx.

gonebad2 · 08-28-2004, 03:19 PM

I am running LED blue lights in the instrument cluster. I am also using a 100 amp alternator. I didn't repaint the green pan. It's maybe a little brighter but not that much. The only drawback is that you can't dim the dash bulbs using LED's.

GMC Jim · 08-28-2004, 05:52 PM

actually the amperage output of the alternator should not make any difference... as long as the volatge is within the proper range... the lamps should be of adequate brightness.... if the alternator produces a higher voltage than normal; then the lamps will be brighter.... but.... the life of the lamps will be greatly
shortened.... also damage is possible to other electical components....

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 08-28-2004, 07:07 PM

I'm had 194's in mine with no mods to the housing and it was really bright. Now I tried using the 194G(green) bulbs and it looks pretty good, but they're kinda dim.

flatblackclassic · 08-28-2004, 11:57 PM

LED's are the way to go for Maximum brightness. You can still retain the dimmer feature as well. I swear I have seen an article about keeping the dimmer function with LED's. I will do a quick search of my bookmarks and post my results.

flatblackclassic · 08-29-2004, 12:05 AM

http://www.cpemma.co.uk/dimleds.html
http://www.cpemma.co.uk/rheo.html
http://www.cpemma.co.uk/reg.html

Here's a few links I came up with. I think with a little creative combination of wiring you could make it work.

08-28-2004, 01:11 AM	#1
337 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio, TEXAS Posts: 253	Brighter instrument cluster lighting question Who saved the info on painting the inside of the cluster white? I believe it was suppose to make the guage lighting brighter. I have taken a spare set of guages apart to mess around with and clean. I will replace my idiot lights with these. I would have done a search but...

08-28-2004, 01:17 AM	#3
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	Someone said they used silver or aluminum paint cause it reflected more. So I went that route. Also always wondered between the 2 diff. bulbs if one was brighter than the other. Only diff. I see is one is slightly taller than the other. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

08-28-2004, 01:34 AM	#5
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	Yes, it helped a lot but still have to crank it to max. I also have an SI 10 alt. Also mine runs off a 11.98 v. wire and was thinking of tieing into the 12.6 v. line. Not neccessary but was hoping it would be so bright I could use the color bulbs. Colored bulbs too dim still even with aluminum paint. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

08-28-2004, 03:28 AM	#7
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	The standard lamps used in the intstrument panel are # 194 which are 2 candle power. Recomend using the # 168 which are 3 candle power.... 1/3 brighter and no significant increase in amperage.... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

08-28-2004, 03:06 PM	#8
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	Jim, thats the ticket! Thanx. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

08-28-2004, 01:13 AM	#2
Robo_bot Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kelowna BC Canada Posts: 481	u should wire in LED's then itll be bright

08-28-2004, 03:14 AM	#6
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	http://73-87.com/7387garage/garage_interior.htm This refers to later trucks, but it might be useful info. Click on "brighter dash lights".

08-28-2004, 03:19 PM	#9
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	I am running LED blue lights in the instrument cluster. I am also using a 100 amp alternator. I didn't repaint the green pan. It's maybe a little brighter but not that much. The only drawback is that you can't dim the dash bulbs using LED's. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

08-28-2004, 05:52 PM	#10
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	actually the amperage output of the alternator should not make any difference... as long as the volatge is within the proper range... the lamps should be of adequate brightness.... if the alternator produces a higher voltage than normal; then the lamps will be brighter.... but.... the life of the lamps will be greatly shortened.... also damage is possible to other electical components.... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

08-28-2004, 07:07 PM	#11
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	I'm had 194's in mine with no mods to the housing and it was really bright. Now I tried using the 194G(green) bulbs and it looks pretty good, but they're kinda dim. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

08-28-2004, 11:57 PM	#12
flatblackclassic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 210	LED's are the way to go for Maximum brightness. You can still retain the dimmer feature as well. I swear I have seen an article about keeping the dimmer function with LED's. I will do a quick search of my bookmarks and post my results.

08-29-2004, 12:05 AM	#13
flatblackclassic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 210	http://www.cpemma.co.uk/dimleds.html http://www.cpemma.co.uk/rheo.html http://www.cpemma.co.uk/reg.html Here's a few links I came up with. I think with a little creative combination of wiring you could make it work.



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