Dash bulbs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Black Momba · 05-09-2018, 01:58 PM

I have a 1966 C10 and my instrument panel lights aren’t very bright at night? Do they make brighter bulb to replace them with?

vin63 · 05-09-2018, 02:40 PM

Is it still that way with the headlight switch dimmer turned all the way to bright? I would also check the ground to the cab just in case. I usually run ground straps from the frame to the cab in addition to the one from the engine to the firewall.

forestb · 05-09-2018, 04:17 PM

you might be able to get some led bulbs that would work

**Chevy Fleetside** · 05-09-2018, 05:42 PM

https://www.octanelighting.com/produ...te-55-72-chevy these will make a big difference. They just don't work on turn signals. You get ten for the $15. I have them in my truck. Found the before and after pics

**The Rocknrod** · 05-09-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

https://www.octanelighting.com/produ...te-55-72-chevy these will make a big difference. They just don't work on turn signals. You get ten for the $15. I have them in my truck. Found the before and after pics

Have you been able to make them dim?

**Chevy Fleetside** · 05-09-2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Have you been able to make them dim?

my switch is old. I'm lucky if they turn on

they really are not that bright. they are just right.

Black Momba · 05-10-2018, 08:06 AM

Chevy fleetside, that’s a great comparison! Mine is the before, my tach light on the column is much brighter! I ordered some angled ones and and the straight in 5 each. I’ll give it a shot! To remove is just those few screws?

Black Momba · 05-10-2018, 08:08 AM

Thanks everybody for the insight!

dirtdog604 · 05-10-2018, 09:26 AM

I put LED's in mine, but haven't been able to find dimmable ones. They do look great though, not too bright

**Chevy Fleetside** · 05-10-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Momba

Chevy fleetside, that’s a great comparison! Mine is the before, my tach light on the column is much brighter! I ordered some angled ones and and the straight in 5 each. I’ll give it a shot! To remove is just those few screws?

you don't have too unscrew anything. reach behind the dash and you just twist the bulbs out. If you look under the dash with a light you will see how easy it is to change the bulb.

Black Momba · 05-10-2018, 01:23 PM

Fleeside,Thank you.

**damnyankee36** · 05-10-2018, 03:32 PM

I tried a few of the cheapy brands on eBay and wasn't all that happy. The bases and pins were just a few thousandths inch smaller in diameter and tended to cock and fall out of the socket. They also could be brighter but I have nothing to compare them to see if that's possible.

My biggest gripe was the LED assembly wasn't secure in the base and would twist very easily when installing them. If you were to take one apart you would see there are two uninsulated wires going from the LED to the base. There is a plastic divider but not much else to keep from damaging them if they were twisted too far.

I just got in some LEDs from superbrightleds.com and they are a much better quality. LED assembly is tight in the base. Color coded. 3 year warranty. Twice as expensive but in my mind, you get what you pay for.

I'm gonna check to see the difference in fit and brightness.

To dim them I used an LED dimmer, (pulse width modulator). I removed the circuit board from the enclosure and mounted it on the back of the cluster and mounted the potentiometer in place of the unused choke hole. Drilled out the knob hole so it would fit the pot shaft. The only problem in this method is that the dimmer ground input and outputs have to remain isolated from each other. Since the lamp socket housings are grounded, I had to replace them with two-wire sockets. PITA, but I had too much time into the project to go back!

**The Rocknrod** · 05-10-2018, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the information damnyankee36 - you wouldn't have a link would you?

Black Momba · 05-10-2018, 06:24 PM

Dyankee,thanks for that info!

**damnyankee36** · 05-10-2018, 07:25 PM

Here are the LEDs:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/sear...nt-bulbs/1895/

And here's the dimmer:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/321899330659

**The Rocknrod** · 05-10-2018, 07:49 PM

Wow, lots of options there. What lumens did you use? They show them from 5 to 96lm.
So we use the BA9's.
They show a dimable BA9 but it's 3.5lm. - https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...-bulb/4/10643/
Not sure if that's bright enough?

**damnyankee36** · 05-10-2018, 08:10 PM

I bought the 5 LED ones since it was comparable to the construction of the ones on eBay.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ofit-car/2077/

If that's comparable, (as I haven't applied power yet) it will just be enough. I'd like them to be too bright so I can at least feel like I'm making use of the dimmer!

I'm sure the single LED ones would be too dim.

**The Rocknrod** · 05-10-2018, 08:12 PM

Thanks damnyankee36 - Cool light? or Warm Light?

**damnyankee36** · 05-10-2018, 08:18 PM

If you are using the white ones for indicator lights I like the cool 6,100K. It's a much whiter light and just makes the cluster look more modern IMO. I also used 6,100K for the dome and dash courtesy lights. 2700K will look like an incandescent lamp.

Colors don't come in temperatures. Be sure to use the color you want the gauges to be. If you want green do not use white and rely on the green interior. It will more white than green.

**damnyankee36** · 05-10-2018, 08:28 PM

EDIT:

"It will more white than green"

Maybe it will wind up not as bright, I can't remember my results! For example, it's recommended to use red LEDs for tail lights so they will be brighter and an overall richer red. That's why I advise to use the actual color you are going for.

LostMy65 · 05-11-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

I tried a few of the cheapy brands on eBay and wasn't all that happy. The bases and pins were just a few thousandths inch smaller in diameter and tended to cock and fall out of the socket. They also could be brighter but I have nothing to compare them to see if that's possible.

My biggest gripe was the LED assembly wasn't secure in the base and would twist very easily when installing them. If you were to take one apart you would see there are two uninsulated wires going from the LED to the base. There is a plastic divider but not much else to keep from damaging them if they were twisted too far.

I just got in some LEDs from superbrightleds.com and they are a much better quality. LED assembly is tight in the base. Color coded. 3 year warranty. Twice as expensive but in my mind, you get what you pay for.

I'm gonna check to see the difference in fit and brightness.

To dim them I used an LED dimmer, (pulse width modulator). I removed the circuit board from the enclosure and mounted it on the back of the cluster and mounted the potentiometer in place of the unused choke hole. Drilled out the knob hole so it would fit the pot shaft. The only problem in this method is that the dimmer ground input and outputs have to remain isolated from each other. Since the lamp socket housings are grounded, I had to replace them with two-wire sockets. PITA, but I had too much time into the project to go back!

Nice

RobbZ · 12-04-2018, 12:54 AM

Resurrecting an old thread here I guess ... I'm new to the vintage C10 world, and electrically ignorant too. Now that we've got that out of the way ... am looking to replace the dash bulbs in my '62, have read through the threads and just want to double check; if I buy these bulbs (either the BA9S from superbrightleds, or the LED bulbs from LMC), they're just plug-and-go, correct? Yank out the old dim bulbs, insert these, and done? I understand I may not be able to dim them any more, not a huge deal for me, more concerned with seeing my gauges. And how many bulbs are back there, anyhow? Wasn't able to find that info anywhere. Thanks, sorry to re-hash what I'm sure is a very old topic.

Isaiah92260 · 12-08-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbZ

Resurrecting an old thread here I guess ... I'm new to the vintage C10 world, and electrically ignorant too. Now that we've got that out of the way ... am looking to replace the dash bulbs in my '62, have read through the threads and just want to double check; if I buy these bulbs (either the BA9S from superbrightleds, or the LED bulbs from LMC), they're just plug-and-go, correct? Yank out the old dim bulbs, insert these, and done? I understand I may not be able to dim them any more, not a huge deal for me, more concerned with seeing my gauges. And how many bulbs are back there, anyhow? Wasn't able to find that info anywhere. Thanks, sorry to re-hash what I'm sure is a very old topic.

Yes the go right into the bulb holders like if you were just replacing the bulbs no problem!

AcampoDave · 12-08-2018, 08:59 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698647 this thread inspired me to use the green ones. Good pics on page 2.

LostMy65 · 12-08-2020, 10:59 PM

Also bumping this thread up for a member who Private Messaged me asking where these could found.

05-09-2018, 01:58 PM	#1
Black Momba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Riverside CAlifornia Posts: 20	Dash bulbs I have a 1966 C10 and my instrument panel lights aren’t very bright at night? Do they make brighter bulb to replace them with?

05-09-2018, 02:40 PM	#2
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Dash bulbs Is it still that way with the headlight switch dimmer turned all the way to bright? I would also check the ground to the cab just in case. I usually run ground straps from the frame to the cab in addition to the one from the engine to the firewall. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

05-09-2018, 04:17 PM	#3
forestb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 3,621	Re: Dash bulbs you might be able to get some led bulbs that would work

05-09-2018, 05:42 PM	#4
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: Dash bulbs https://www.octanelighting.com/produ...te-55-72-chevy these will make a big difference. They just don't work on turn signals. You get ten for the $15. I have them in my truck. Found the before and after pics Attached Images __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536 Last edited by Chevy Fleetside; 05-09-2018 at 05:53 PM.

05-10-2018, 08:06 AM	#7
Black Momba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Riverside CAlifornia Posts: 20	Re: Dash bulbs Chevy fleetside, that’s a great comparison! Mine is the before, my tach light on the column is much brighter! I ordered some angled ones and and the straight in 5 each. I’ll give it a shot! To remove is just those few screws?

05-10-2018, 08:08 AM	#8
Black Momba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Riverside CAlifornia Posts: 20	Re: Dash bulbs Thanks everybody for the insight!

05-10-2018, 09:26 AM	#9
dirtdog604 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Mission B.C. Posts: 8	Re: Dash bulbs I put LED's in mine, but haven't been able to find dimmable ones. They do look great though, not too bright

05-10-2018, 01:23 PM	#11
Black Momba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Riverside CAlifornia Posts: 20	Re: Dash bulbs Fleeside,Thank you.

05-10-2018, 03:32 PM	#12
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: Dash bulbs I tried a few of the cheapy brands on eBay and wasn't all that happy. The bases and pins were just a few thousandths inch smaller in diameter and tended to cock and fall out of the socket. They also could be brighter but I have nothing to compare them to see if that's possible. My biggest gripe was the LED assembly wasn't secure in the base and would twist very easily when installing them. If you were to take one apart you would see there are two uninsulated wires going from the LED to the base. There is a plastic divider but not much else to keep from damaging them if they were twisted too far. I just got in some LEDs from superbrightleds.com and they are a much better quality. LED assembly is tight in the base. Color coded. 3 year warranty. Twice as expensive but in my mind, you get what you pay for. I'm gonna check to see the difference in fit and brightness. To dim them I used an LED dimmer, (pulse width modulator). I removed the circuit board from the enclosure and mounted it on the back of the cluster and mounted the potentiometer in place of the unused choke hole. Drilled out the knob hole so it would fit the pot shaft. The only problem in this method is that the dimmer ground input and outputs have to remain isolated from each other. Since the lamp socket housings are grounded, I had to replace them with two-wire sockets. PITA, but I had too much time into the project to go back! Attached Images Last edited by damnyankee36; 05-10-2018 at 04:02 PM.

05-10-2018, 04:35 PM	#13
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Dash bulbs Thanks for the information damnyankee36 - you wouldn't have a link would you? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

05-10-2018, 06:24 PM	#14
Black Momba Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Riverside CAlifornia Posts: 20	Re: Dash bulbs Dyankee,thanks for that info!

05-10-2018, 07:25 PM	#15
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: Dash bulbs Here are the LEDs: https://www.superbrightleds.com/sear...nt-bulbs/1895/ And here's the dimmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/321899330659

05-10-2018, 07:49 PM	#16
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Dash bulbs Wow, lots of options there. What lumens did you use? They show them from 5 to 96lm. So we use the BA9's. They show a dimable BA9 but it's 3.5lm. - https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...-bulb/4/10643/ Not sure if that's bright enough? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

05-10-2018, 08:10 PM	#17
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: Dash bulbs I bought the 5 LED ones since it was comparable to the construction of the ones on eBay. https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ofit-car/2077/ If that's comparable, (as I haven't applied power yet) it will just be enough. I'd like them to be too bright so I can at least feel like I'm making use of the dimmer! I'm sure the single LED ones would be too dim.

05-10-2018, 08:12 PM	#18
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Dash bulbs Thanks damnyankee36 - Cool light? or Warm Light? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?



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05-10-2018, 08:18 PM	#19
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: Dash bulbs If you are using the white ones for indicator lights I like the cool 6,100K. It's a much whiter light and just makes the cluster look more modern IMO. I also used 6,100K for the dome and dash courtesy lights. 2700K will look like an incandescent lamp. Colors don't come in temperatures. Be sure to use the color you want the gauges to be. If you want green do not use white and rely on the green interior. It will more white than green.

05-10-2018, 08:28 PM	#20
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: Dash bulbs EDIT: "It will more white than green" Maybe it will wind up not as bright, I can't remember my results! For example, it's recommended to use red LEDs for tail lights so they will be brighter and an overall richer red. That's why I advise to use the actual color you are going for.

12-04-2018, 12:54 AM	#22
RobbZ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sussex WI Posts: 2	Re: Dash bulbs Resurrecting an old thread here I guess ... I'm new to the vintage C10 world, and electrically ignorant too. Now that we've got that out of the way ... am looking to replace the dash bulbs in my '62, have read through the threads and just want to double check; if I buy these bulbs (either the BA9S from superbrightleds, or the LED bulbs from LMC), they're just plug-and-go, correct? Yank out the old dim bulbs, insert these, and done? I understand I may not be able to dim them any more, not a huge deal for me, more concerned with seeing my gauges. And how many bulbs are back there, anyhow? Wasn't able to find that info anywhere. Thanks, sorry to re-hash what I'm sure is a very old topic.

12-08-2018, 08:59 PM	#24
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,781	Re: Dash bulbs http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698647 this thread inspired me to use the green ones. Good pics on page 2.

12-08-2020, 10:59 PM	#25
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Dash bulbs Also bumping this thread up for a member who Private Messaged me asking where these could found. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

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