Use LEDs for a brighter speedometer

bugbyte

While replacing a gear in the odometer I also decided to make the speedo brighter.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3427186#3427186

I followed the advice from the thread above, and decided to paint the inside of the housing gloss white, as well as the back of the bezel ring. The front I painted red to go with my beetle.

Further down in the same thread MURZI recommended getting the LEDs from Walmart. From there I used a little innovation.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

mack519 · Samba Member Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 221

They sell LEDs at walmart? What section? I have yet to see them there. I really would like to do that to my speedo. Are they dimmable?

Edit: Didn't read the picture text.

Also did you scuff the LED with sandpaper to make the light spread better?
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bugbyte · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

They're in the automotive area where they sell all the license frames, etc.

fastinradford · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject:

I had red LEDs in my speedo for a while, but I found that (with the LEDs I used) it was a bit brighter stock.

Mikedrevguy · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

Well, I'm not totally sold on the led's - BUT - I've been looking at painting the speedometer as you have - glad to see how it looks. Although I'm planning to do mine yellow/white.
thanks for the photo
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Fattie · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

fastinradford · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

jamesdagg · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

Save yourself a lot of trouble and use these bulbs. They are twice as bright and will dim with the dimmer.

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=16860&cat=&page=1

jim
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Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

Fattie · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:08 am Post subject:

how are those gonna work when our bulb holders use this style ........

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69 bugin · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:27 am Post subject:

I'm going to use the led lights just to see what they will look like in my car and those other bulbs i don't think they will work just mu 2 cents
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bugbyte · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

Hey Jamesdagg, thanks for the link. As many places as I looked I've never been to germansupply.com. I probably would like to give them a try too. Not sure yet how to rig up a socket though. Don't see any on their site.

mnussbau · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:40 am Post subject:

efi67vw · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:47 am Post subject:

great idea! thanks for sharing. It would be nice to do this on aftermarket gauges also.
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bugbyte · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

Here's a pic taken inside of a darkened garage. Long exposure and a little blurry, but you can see the results.

I plan on changing the others as well.

jamesdagg · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

Has anyone ever done anything to illuminate the dash around the light and wiper switches. (and fan switch in a Super)

I'm always fumbling for switches especially wipers since there is no intermittent wiping.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

mnussbau · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

puddle pirate · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

Great job. I knew it would work. I am glad that other thread inspired someone to use the LED's. I just got another beetle with the speedometer out of it. I am going to make mine in the next week or two. My son ordered more LED's after we came up with the LED idea and they are sitting in the mailbox at his dorm. I have to wait to get some when I bring him back to school
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73 Super Beetle
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Maimas13 · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:38 am Post subject:

If you dont mind driling a few holes in the back of the speedo there is another option Laughing

I bought some blue led bulbs for my vdo gauges to match my radio (I like matching colors) they were quite an improvement from the regular bulbs. only problem was that then the speedo was white and not very bright. So when I redid the lenses for the signal,oil lights etc I added some leds. only problem was there were no led replacement bulbs for the stock bulb holder

I used standard 5mm leds that I bought off ebay (like 8 bux for 50 with correct resistors) at first I just put in one led where the stock bulb was, but the light wasn't distributed very evenly, so I ended up drilling holes around the back of the speedo and inserting some leds in, simply wiring them to where the stock bulb was wired. Im pretty happy with the results

Painting the inside white is a great idea, Ill have to do this next time I pull the speedo apart.
Sorry for the kinda blurry pics I dont have a super nice camera so taken pictures in the dark is kinda mediocre

Im a sucker for leds, I also have a led third brake light and soon I will have led snowflakes to match Laughing

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Joel · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:05 am Post subject:


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