[1GR8_968]

Fellow Members:



I need to do something about my dash lights -- however there seems to be many sellers of the new "updated" LED lighting for our 968s. Can someone tell me if they have changed to the LEDs and if so are you pleased with the results? I see that they come in just a bulb state or a wedge... advice???

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[flash]

a few people have done this - some seem to like it - i fail to understand it, as it seriously reduces night visibility (causes pupil to contract, reducing the ability of the eye to take in light and to see at night) - i just turn them nearly off - much better visibility - talk to some pilots - they hate dash lights

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[SILVY968]

I just changed mine to the RED led's.

They are VERY low light intensity.

They do not cause my pupils to readjust when I look at the cluster and then the road.

I recommend them if you like low light, color gauges, not if you want bright illumination. And they do have some adjustment with the standard dimmer control.

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[saxman]

I really wish there were some backlight/el gauges available for this car. Nothing says 1970's hold over technology like lighting up the gauges with a few spot lights just shining on them.

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[Anchorman]

"I really wish there were..." Sounds like the lament that starts every one of Flash's projects. Go for it, Saxman (but only after we have new headlights).

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[PorscheDude]

This guy says they will fit the 968. He had them made for a 928. No real pictures, but the price is right.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...A:IT&ih=005

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[flash]

brian - any way to get a shot of that? i want the guages red (better for night visibility), and i might consider that if it's dim enough - i'm really looking for just enough light to be able to make out the readings on the guages, but not enough to see every detail - i really only want to see the needles



does the red mask or blend the needle color?





lol - hmmm - maybe i just need to make a new guage cluster and install stewart warner guages and be done with it (ducking now)

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[PorscheDude]

You could always paint the needles white.

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[Darryl]

There are lots of threads about this on here and other boards too. The 944 have the same problem. I've had excellent success refurbing the light tubes and upgrading to Sylvania 194 type 3W bulbs. Keeps it stock, dimmer control continues to work and should be more reliable than the silver paint crap that came from the factory. I didn't use tin foil and masking tape or other short cut DIY methods...I researched and found some double sided highly reflective metallic tape used in the stained glass industry and have been very pleased. Hell, send me your instrument cluster...I'd be happy to work my magic.



As much as I'd like a cool color, probably blue, not sure I want to sacrifice/compromise the incandescent bulbs.



- Darryl

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[sasilverbullet]

my .02...



If you leave the stock dash lights in - they're the best color for night vision. I used to fly in the AF and a low light red glow is what they use for all their cockpits...



Now if you want to bling it out, go ahead, but your night vision will suffer...

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[flash]

yup - that's what every pilot told me too - that's why i did what daryl has mentioned above, and i have been pretty happy with it - the higher wattage spread the light more, and then i turn it down, resulting in a more even low level light across the dash - having them dim makes a huge improvement in visibility - it is even more if you wear contacts or glasses - i convinced my better half to turn hers down, and initially she fought me on it, but now comments on how much better she can see at night



in a perfect world, these would be backlit, with red numbers and needles



another project for another day

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[SILVY968]

[quote name='flash' post='42656' date='Oct 20 2007, 07:53 AM']brian - any way to get a shot of that? i want the guages red (better for night visibility), and i might consider that if it's dim enough - i'm really looking for just enough light to be able to make out the readings on the guages, but not enough to see every detail - i really only want to see the needles



does the red mask or blend the needle color?

lol - hmmm - maybe i just need to make a new guage cluster and install stewart warner guages and be done with it (ducking now)[/quote]



flash,



here you go.    



The red led illuminates the needles more than the numbers. The shot is the best that I cound get. It is a bit lower level as you can ONLY see the needle in the pic, but your eyes are better and will pick up the numbers. Believe me, you'll love them.

They will do exactly what you want them to do based upon your remarks above.

Brian

Ebay listing: Item number: 270170580104 His shot is BRIGHTER than they really are.

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[ldeprat]

I think there's a difference between "enough lighting" and "no lighting." On my 951 the stock lighting is sufficient, but on the S2 it's just about gone and makes checking the instruments during night driving uncomfortable at best.



The idea being to restore the stock lighting, provided the reflective material is restored or replaced with foil, tape, etc., the good thing about LEDs with comparable intensity to the stock bulbs is that they don't go bad.



I plan on fitting the S2 panel with LEDs to get the lighting back to normal and the brightness should still be adjustable with the dimmer anyway.

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[flash]

i ran into a problem with LEDs on my trailer - not sure if it's the same setup or not, but this could be an issue



one died - it took the rest with it, because of the way it was wired - it broke the circuit



as far as i have heard thusfar from people who have done this, the dimmer won't work on the LEDs

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[SILVY968]

[quote name='flash' post='42697' date='Oct 21 2007, 09:36 AM']i ran into a problem with LEDs on my trailer - not sure if it's the same setup or not, but this could be an issue



one died - it took the rest with it, because of the way it was wired - it broke the circuit



as far as i have heard thusfar from people who have done this, the dimmer won't work on the LEDs[/quote]



Yes, the dimmer does not adjust the intensity.

Here is a shot from PorscheLEDs.com. I altered it to make it more representative of what I am getting.

   



When I was out driving last night I paid attention to how well the red LEDs illuminate the gauges. The needles are the brightest with the numbers around the face being a bit dimmer but very readable. Really makes night driving easier.

I would not replace the normal filament lamps with white LEDs. The intensity would be too bright for night time driving and you can not dim an LED with less voltage.

Brian

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[flash]

that actually looks pretty good



so, what does the "kit" consist of?

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[SILVY968]

Three red LEDs that have the same base as the OEM bulbs. Pull out bulbs from the carriers, push in LEDs and twist back into the pcb on the cluster.

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[flash]

hmmm - easy enough, and reversible if i don't like it



please send source information

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[SILVY968]

exactly!



Porsche 1992-1995 968 & 1986-1991 944 Gauge LEDs Kits



http://www.porscheleds.com/



Red LED Kit

Each Porsche 968/944 LED Kit Includes:

* No Modification

* No Cutting/Running Wires or Soldering

* 3 12V Blue, Red or Super White LEDs

* Online Install Instructions with Pictures

Kit Covers all 4 Gauges



Brian

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[Darryl]

[quote name='flash' post='42725' date='Oct 21 2007, 10:34 PM']hmmm - easy enough, and reversible if i don't like it[/quote]



Yes, agreed...might look into the blue ones since it's easy to go back. I never really wanted to get into cutting and hacking with most of the other LED conversions. I saw the eBay auction last night. Thanks for the info Brian.





Of course, if I like it, it will make me want to convert all of the other dash lights to the same color....here we go! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



- Darryl

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