LAMP DIMMER RHEOSTAT

[WHITESTAG]

Hi before I start dabbling.......can I ask all you talented owners on the following?!

My recentley aquired 74 mk2 is getting treated to a complete internal refit and glad to say am nearly there -after god knows how many hours!!!.....

Imagine my surprise when I twiddled with the lamp dimmer- and found that the knob only stuck in with BLUE TACK!!!!- obvious some problem in the past...anyway dash down - and located a said stat and checked the wiring diagram as per - found orrigin feeds lurking off the loom etc...has little effect to backlighting on guages as hoped-they are really dim even at full position at night!- anyone any ideas on improving backlight brightness on all the guages- appear a dim green- do not want to start pulling most apart!- have by passed stat and still really poor!!

Any ideas guys greatfully recieved!!!!

CHEERS TO ALL

PHIL

[seaside bill]

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Phil

The original dash lighting arrangement is a bit dim soI fitted LED bulbs to my Stag and TR6. Much brighter and low wattage - even a choice a colours. I couldn'tsource them in the UK so got them from herehttp://stores.ebay.co.uk/superlumination- E10 inverted lens

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi

Thanks a lot for that Seaside Bill!!!- do iI have to changeover bulbholders to suit?

CHEERS!

PHIL

[seaside bill]

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Phil

No, standard screw in fitting - other fittings e.g bayonet are also available if needed.

[MB]

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Bill,

Does the dimmer still work with the led bulbs ?

MB

[seaside bill]

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MB

Sorry, don't know as I bypassed mine - didn'tserve any useful purpose as far as I'm concerned and provides unnecessary resistance in the circuit. However, I'm sure LED will respond to voltage variation so should work.

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi Seaside Bill!

Thans so much for the tip on the panel L.E.D.S!!!!!!

just to let you know I bought some fom the outfit you suggested in the States!!!

Took about a week to get......

I fitted today and over the moon! with the result! a vast improvement and very stylish!!

ALL THE BEST!!!

PHIL:dude:

[DJT]

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Phil,

Glad to hear that they are good. Do they still work with the dimmer switch?

I brightened up the dash instruments by taking them apart and spray painting the inside of the casings with white primer. Made a big difference.

I am considering ditching the dimmer and fitting the TRGB starter button instead. This would be a bit different and ease the strain on the fragile ignition witch.

Dave

[WHITESTAG]

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HI AGAIN DAVE!

I bypassed the dimmer - does not seem any point utilising.......! clever idea about painting inside!!!! clever stuff!!!!

Totally agree with you about button start! was considering myself whilst my rascal in lots of bits!!!

ALL THE BEST!!!

:dude:PHIL

[TimShoubridge]

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Hi chaps......I'm no electrician, so I have no idea how to bypass the dimmer. The LED's seem a brilliant idea so I'd like to give it a try. Can someone help me out here?

Thanks

Tim

[WHITESTAG]

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Hi TIM,

AS MENTIONED -JUST FITTED IN MINE! DROP DASH LOCATE THE DIMMER POT AND JOIN LEFT (1 FEED) AND RIGHT (2 FEED) TOGETHER TO BYPASS!

ISOLATE BATTERY FOR SAFETY!

THIS CONTROL IS A "RHEOSTAT" WHICH OFFERS A HIGH RESISTANCE TO THE PANEL LIGHT CIRCUIT ( THIS IS WHY IT IS SO BIG -AS IT IS A WIRE WIRE WOUND DEVICE) NOT LIKE AN ORDINARY CARBON CONTROL POTENTIOMETER! YOU MAY FIND REMOVING BULBS AWKWARD IF THEY HAVE BEEN IN A WHILE- A BLASTED MINE WITH "SERVISOL" CONTACT CLEANER REALLY GOOD FOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ETC ALSO MAKES THE NEW BULBS FIT EASY!!!

YOU CAN SOURCE THESE IN BLUE RED AND GREEN!- I CHOSE BLUE AND ARE VERY EFFECTIVE!!

BEST OF LUCK!

MAY YOUR V8 BURBLE!

CHEERS!

PHIL:dude:

[TimShoubridge]

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Thanks chaps,

All in and working with the exception of the clock bulb which is a different fit. Waiting until it's dark so I can go and sit in the garage to see the effect. Can't print the wifes comments.

Tim

[Stagdad]

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OK Guys

So which colour LED looks best behind the gauges?

Steve

[TimShoubridge]

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Hi Steve,

I put green in. They look really good and make a big difference. I suppose I'm not too adventurous and stayed with original, however, I think that they would all look good, just depends on personal taste.

Tim