Didn't find any threads on this but I'm sure I can't be the first guy to ask...is there a brighter bulb that will work in place of the 1894 bulbs I have in my dash light bar? They are barely okay on the darkest of nights but driving through the city with ambient street lighting everywhere, they are so dim I really can't see my gauges.
You need BA9S LED bulbs. Simple plug and play bulbs, and they still work with the dimmer switch. I purchased mine on eBay. Huge difference for such a quick and cheap change.
Nice, thanks! Mine aren't even as bright as your first image.
I bought some LED dash bulbs but before I had a chance to install them I installed the headlight relay kit.
The relay kit made ALL the lights on the car brighter, some more than ever.
I probably will install the LED bulbs eventually but the relay kit made the current dash bulbs pretty bright.
I've actually been wanting to do that on my car.
Another LED bulb switcher here. Huge difference! Definitely worth it. Just search for the bulb type on amazon. Some guys have had a lot of success getting the amber bulbs. With the green rallye dash screens the color is more greenish.
Mine are more blue like the pictures above.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I ordered a ten pack of the high power pure white ones. There were lots to choose from. Less than six bucks to my door. Guess if I don't like them, I'll use them in other places and order something different for this dash. I do like the idea of the relay though.
If your bulb sockets have a little corrosion, try to clean them with some emery, etc. and use some electric grease. The LEDs that I got were not as secure in their own brass socket and I broke a couple twisting them into place. FYI, I used green LEDs along with the factory blue bulb covers and it looks great. Some have used white and of course some use blue. On mine, the LEDs were very slightly larger than the hole in the metal. I used a file to make them slightly larger.
Quote from: e_body70 on April 05, 2020, 01:23:26 PM
You need BA9S LED bulbs. Simple plug and play bulbs, and they still work with the dimmer switch. I purchased mine on eBay. Huge difference for such a quick and cheap change.
I also used these. Big improvement.
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on April 05, 2020, 04:31:14 PM
I've actually been wanting to do that on my car.
I've got a video on the relay kit if it's of interest
Is it how to build your own? A friend gave me a plug and play relay kit but I never got around to installing it. I'd be interested in the video.
Looks pretty simple!
I swapped out to LED for all my bulbs, other than headlights (and that is next). Much brighter now, dash, brake lights, side markers, etc.
If I really like them, I might start switching out bulbs all over the car.
Quote from: 70vert on April 07, 2020, 06:13:04 PM
I swapped out to LED for all my bulbs, other than headlights (and that is next). Much brighter now, dash, brake lights, side markers, etc.
Would it be too much of an imposition to ask you for the part#'s and suppliers you got them from? They sound like a good idea! Thanks :cheers:
I don't have a picture but thought I'd post the results. I used three led in bright white and they were far superior to the original bulbs. That's exactly what I was looking for. I think I'm going to switch out the tail lights and side markers too. Headlights are a future project. Amazing difference and the bulbs were only $6 for ten, delivered to my door. Cheaper than incandescent.
:yes: Glad its working out! I've been on an LED kick myself. I have about 75% of the car changed over. I realize with the turn signal lights you have to pay attention as there is a brighter flash for the blinker side. IT was a trial and error thing when someone pointed out my front amber was not flashing right. Also a good idea to switch to a digital flasher for the turn signals.
Hadn't thought of that. When I get ready for the tail/brake/turn signals, I'll have to see what combos work. It makes sense that dual filament bulbs require a bit of thought. Flashers too.
Yep. I just turned it 180 and reinstalled.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: jimynick on April 08, 2020, 09:09:01 PM
Quote from: 70vert on April 07, 2020, 06:13:04 PM
I swapped out to LED for all my bulbs, other than headlights (and that is next). Much brighter now, dash, brake lights, side markers, etc.
Would it be too much of an imposition to ask you for the part#'s and suppliers you got them from? They sound like a good idea! Thanks :cheers:
I got mine from SuperBrightLED.com. They have bulbs listed for the Challenger but still was a bit of trial and error. They are pretty cheap, and have a variety of colors (to put red in rear and yellow in front as well as different white/blue). they dash lights make a big difference!
Thinking LED also for parking/turn and side marker. I know the fronts are yellow, backs are white as wella s side marker?
What number bulb are side marker? #1895?
Thanks
I see several BA9S bulbs listed on the site what ones work best for the dash lights??
:alan2cents: you might want to go with using LEDs the same color as the lenses, otherwise the resulting color might be off. Ex: white LED + red lens gives a pinkish color, not red.
I used white led's. I'm happy with the color and brightness. They dim just like the incandescents.
Just finished mine. The bulbs I got were kinda bulky with the plastic frames so they were a pretty snug fit into the light bar
Did anyone have any trouble fitting the LED for the ignition key light? Which colour did you use for that one?
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on April 07, 2020, 06:49:05 AM
Here you go !
If running a factory ammeter, never add any loads to the starter relay or battery terminal, all loads need to go on the alternator side of the ammeter. For simple headlight relays, go to the alternator output stud.
Quote from: shawge on April 14, 2021, 11:01:58 AM
:alan2cents: you might want to go with using LEDs the same color as the lenses, otherwise the resulting color might be off. Ex: white LED + red lens gives a pinkish color, not red.
Thanks for this tip.
I just got new red LED bulbs for my tail lights. Wow what a difference. it may be the type of bulb as much as the colour, but wow!!!
Some before and after pics
I used a neutral polarity EF32RLNP for my turn signal flasher and grounded it to the ash tray frame. That flasher gives the audible clicking when on. My stock hazard flasher still worked, albeit at a slower rate. I left that one alone. All my lights that turn on with the headlight switch are LEDs except my headlights. Still use the halogen seal beams with relays. I have sufficient lighting at night.
If running the by-pass described then not only are the bulkhead charge circuit connections by-passed, the ammeter is by-passed as well, defeating the purpose of the ammeter. Effectively not running an ammeter in that case. Would not matter where the loads are connected then.
Thanks, I am thinking too hard again!!
:thinking:
If you are going to by-pass the charging output circuit bulkhead Packard connectors, of the two runs to the ammeter, start with the alternator to ammeter run (black wire) first as it handles more current, all of the vehicle loads and battery charging current. The ammeter to fusible link to starter relay should only see battery charging/discharging current while the engine is running. Careful not to by-pass or parallel the fusible link if adding a parallel wire run to the relay from the ammeter. Check the condition of the ammeter insulators, don't over tighten the ammeter stud nuts.
This by-pass will address biggest weakness in the original charging system and preserve the ammeter function. Again, adding any additional loads to anywhere on the battery side of the ammeter will add this additional current across the ammeter/ammeter connections and register as false charging current on the ammeter while running.
Apologies to the OP of this thread for hijacking the LED discussion.
I used these. Red for tail lights and amber for parking.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-27-smd-led-tower-bay15d-bulb/2625/
Quote from: bc3j on June 15, 2021, 06:35:11 AM
I used these. Red for tail lights and amber for parking.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-27-smd-led-tower-bay15d-bulb/2625/
That's the kind I bought as well, hopefully they will work well when I fire them up ! :fingerscrossed:
These are the ones I am using (BAY15D), red for the taillights and amber for the front turn signals. They work fine though they don't seem as bright as the ones CudaJason shows. I used BA9S for the side markers, again red and amber. I did have a slight fit issue with the rears as they seemed too "long" and hit the marker lens but I managed to get them to stay in. We'll see how they hold up.
Quote from: anlauto on June 15, 2021, 06:39:22 AM
Quote from: bc3j on June 15, 2021, 06:35:11 AM
I used these. Red for tail lights and amber for parking.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-27-smd-led-tower-bay15d-bulb/2625/
That's the kind I bought as well, hopefully they will work well when I fire them up ! :fingerscrossed: