Dash Cluster Bulbs.

Teknoslasher · 26-08-2010, 11:50 PM

Does anyone know what the types of bulb (i.e. T5, T3 etc) are used within the speed cluster. I'm trying to get hold of some super white LED style ones, but the ones I'm getting are crap and don't displace light evenly. Anyone have any tips?

KR1STO · 26-08-2010, 11:54 PM

here's a link to the AU globe reference..
http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...article&id=567

Hope that helps!!

Cheers

ronwest · 27-08-2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teknoslasher

the ones I'm getting are crap and don't displace light evenly.

Are you getting "hot" spots? If so you can try painting the tops of the leds with whiteout. That will disperse the light somewhat. You can also lightly sand the tops.
I had the most success with the three legged leds off ebay and just adjusted the legs (after whiteouting the tips) until I was happy with it. Takes a bit of fiddling around but you can get it pretty good if you persist.

sleeper393 · 27-08-2010, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teknoslasher

Does anyone know what the types of bulb (i.e. T5, T3 etc) are used within the speed cluster. I'm trying to get hold of some super white LED style ones, but the ones I'm getting are crap and don't displace light evenly. Anyone have any tips?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/10-x-T5-286-W...ts_Accessories

JC · 27-08-2010, 01:07 AM

The ones sleeper posted are the ones I bought, but in blue. I sanded the tops and use a dob of black paint, and they still result in some hot spots. Haven't tried white out (didn't know they still made it - hope they have clear instructions for blondes who use PCs; imagine the whiteout on their monitors!)

But those T5 LEDs your best (easiest) choice, unless you go "old school" and do the whole bulb holder mod using 1500 to 3000 rated LEDS and a 620 Ohm resistor to drop the 12V down to a level the 3V LEDs can handle.

Teknoslasher · 27-08-2010, 08:07 AM

I've previously bought the ones sleeper posted as well. I think I might try the 3 bulb LEDs this time around like ronwest suggested and just fiddle with them.

sleeper393 · 27-08-2010, 01:46 PM

i've used the three bulb led's , and they burnt out , you need the led's with either a flat top , or a concave top , as the round convex tops give a narrow spread , as you would be aware

THESE ONES I FOUND TO BE RUBBISH
[/COLOR]

THIS IS MY CLUSTER, with the flat top led's

ronwest · 27-08-2010, 02:02 PM

Must be different to mine.

From mem mine are a lighter blue stem. Been in for a couple of years + and no probs.
I used to have the hot spots as yours does but they really annoyed me so I fiddled a bit. It's poss to just about get rid of the hot spots... I think the only one I have is on the oil gauge but not so noticeable.
Maybe I'm a hard marker, lol.

edit: if there is varying quality in leds, I got mine from the guy who supplies the Skyline clubs (and as I said, have had no problem at all). I think he's on ebay but I bought so many different leds that I'm not sure now... maybe I got onto him through the Skyline forums.

sleeper393 · 27-08-2010, 02:27 PM

i found out i had hot spots , due to me forgeting to change two of the round top led's to the new flat top ones on the right side of my cluster.

sleeper393 · 27-08-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

Must be different to mine.

From mem mine are a lighter blue stem. Been in for a couple of years + and no probs.
I used to have the hot spots as yours does but they really annoyed me so I fiddled a bit. It's poss to just about get rid of the hot spots... I think the only one I have is on the oil gauge but not so noticeable.
Maybe I'm a hard marker, lol.

edit: if there is varying quality in leds, I got mine from the guy who supplies the Skyline clubs (and as I said, have had no problem at all). I think he's on ebay but I bought so many different leds that I'm not sure now... maybe I got onto him through the Skyline forums.

yeah there are a few different brands , as i said the ones i had were rubbish, but that not saying they all are , as you must have chose the goodies, im thinking the skyline club would have chose the right ones.

ronwest · 27-08-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeper393

yeah there are a few different brands , as i said the ones i had were rubbish, but that not saying they all are , as you must have chose the goodies, im thinking the skyline club would have chose the right ones.

I'd tried different types but just couldn't get rid of the hot spots. They don't mean anything but to me mine looked like an 80% job. I figured I could improve on that and the saga began.
It is really difficult to totally get rid of the hot spots. I would have had the cluster connected/disconnected at least 100 times trying to get it right. Some might say I'm obsessive, I think more likely stupid...

I'm almost happy with it as it's very even across the cluster except for one damned spot. When I get another dose of stupidity I'll whiteout part of the nearest leg (not just the top) and see if that helps.

sleeper393 · 27-08-2010, 02:49 PM

yeah i made the mistake of changing the bulbs while the power was connected SO I COULD MAKE QUICK DIAGNOSIS. , i touched the silver contact patch on the cluster and fried it, lost all my illumination only my indicators worked , pulled it apart seen where it fried and soldered a wire link between the two , WONT DO THAT AGAIN

ronwest · 27-08-2010, 03:05 PM

I originally used the whiteout as a temporary measure... just a dab, connect cluster, check spread, disconnect cluster, remove led, then a bit more or less whiteout. I had planned to then paint the tips but whiteout lasts well

I was sorely tempted to do it more or less in situ but after your experience I'm glad I didn't. I think that would have been the straw that broke the camel's back.