LED Instrument Illumination Options

[GeorgeRud]

Has anyone converted their instrument panel illumination lights to LEDs yet? They are being sold as upgrades and are supposed to make the instruments brighter (good for these older eyes). I know the 2 watt bulbs can be replaced with 4 watt bulbs, but I was warned by North Hollywood Speedometer not to do it as the extra heat generated will eventually fry the innards of your instrument. I like the idea of brighter instruments however.

[mightyohm]

QUOTE (lapuwali @ Aug 25 2005, 07:45 PM)

The eye does not respond well to blue light, and things lit with that appear fuzzy to just about everyone. Green is a much better color to light something with, but green LEDs are quite a bit dimmer than blue leds. If you use an array of blue, red, and green LEDs, you end up with nearly white light (tends to be blue-shifted, since the blue LEDs are so bright). Amber LEDs also work pretty well for lighting.

The new breed of GaN LEDs can produce a very bright green, much brighter in apparent brightness than the blues (also GaN technology). You can also find teal and shades of aqua, etc. They even have purple now (horrible visibility though).

The issue of apparent brightness vs. color is definitely a concern but you can find LEDs in any color that are more than bright enough for the purpose - the problem is spreading the light out like has been mentioned.

I think there are companies that are making side emitting LEDs now. Maybe those would be worth a shot?