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Making Gauges Brighter

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Oct 31, 2018.

  1. Oct 31, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I don't drive Willie very often at night, but when I do, guage lights could be brighter, especially the temp guage. Since these aren't reostate style, do they make a brighter bulb I could replace?
     
  2. Oct 31, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Depends on what bulbs you have in there now. If you have #53's (1.7w) you could try replacing them with #57's (3.3 w) but with the caveat that the 57 bulbs are bigger & may not fit through the holes & that the increased heat may melt the coloured filters for the genny/oil/turn indicators. They'll also burn out faster.

    You might want to research LED replacements.
     
  3. Oct 31, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    It the back lighting bulbs that could be brighter, not the ginny that has the colored strip. I think I'll pull one and see what's in it.
     
  4. Oct 31, 2018
    55_Willys_CJ5

    55_Willys_CJ5 Nephews Visit 2017 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    I went with LED, see picture at this link:
    20181031_194331.jpg

    LED Light Information: BA9S-WW4-90-12VAC: Warm White 90 Degree 12 VAC. Ordered mine from www.superbrightleds.com

    A lot brighter over the stock bulbs. Hope this helps.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2018
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  5. Nov 1, 2018
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks for the heads up on "Superbrightleds", I am going to change over to LED's as time goes by.
     
  6. Nov 1, 2018
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    And before and after pictures would be great to see.(y)
     
  7. Nov 1, 2018
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
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    Don't get um too bright, they will distract road vision.
     
  8. Nov 1, 2018
    ronnie victor

    ronnie victor Member

    raleigh, nc
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    Willys cj5: is this the bulb you bought? If you can remember. The info states that the bulb replaces a #53 bulb. (I hope that the Amazon link works)

    Makergroup 1445 17053 BA9S Miniature Bayonet Single Contact Base LED Light Bulbs for RV Camper Trailer Automotive Light Bulbs Dome lights Map Reading lights 12VDC Warm White 4-Pack - - Amazon.com
     
  9. Nov 1, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    The important thing to check with a LED replacement are how many lumens it puts out, for comparison a 53 is rated at 13 lumens or 1 candle power, a 57 is 25 lumen or 2 cp.

    There's different led bulbs available as a BA9s or whatever, "BA9" is acatually the base type.

    Some are nearly 100 lumens (*WAY* to bright :shock:) to 5 lumens (more like it)

    BA9s & BA7s LED Bulbs | LED Car Light Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2018
  10. Nov 1, 2018
    55_Willys_CJ5

    55_Willys_CJ5 Nephews Visit 2017 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Agree with Howard on watching the lumens. The ones I bought are rated at 25 lumens. Brighter than original, but not to bright to disrupt driving at night, at least for me.

    Agree.

    No. Here is the picture of the one I bought from the website I mentioned:

    [​IMG]
    The one you show from Amazon will probably be too bright. The product descriptions states it is 100 lumens. Yes BA9s is the bulb base and works as a replacement for the #53.
     
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  11. Nov 1, 2018
    ronnie victor

    ronnie victor Member

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    Got it. 25 lumens. Thanks I'm ordering.
     
  12. Nov 2, 2018
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

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    With the location of the cluster, I do not think a brighter bulb would be a distraction.
     
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  13. Nov 3, 2018
    homersdog

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  14. Nov 3, 2018
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Can you post a guage pic with the lights on?
     
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  15. Nov 3, 2018
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Well these look brighter in these pictures than they actually are. the voltmeter to the right of the speedometer still has the original incandescent, for comparison.

    By the way the lesson I learned here is to have a good excuse prepared when yor wife finds you standing alone in the garage with lights off, while holding your cell phone.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2018
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  16. Nov 3, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    I like the blueish look.
     
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  17. Nov 3, 2018
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

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    Argh! Mismatched gauges! o_O

    Well blue lights keep you up at night and dazzle your mind somehow, so I guess that's a good thing.
    They have blueish (albeit multicolored) Christmas tree lights too; you might see 'em soon this season, and they look downright awful.

    Otherwise, warm-white LEDs for me.
     
  18. Nov 6, 2018
    jeepo

    jeepo Member

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    Nice, which one’s would be recommended for the tail lights and front turn signal marker lights.
    Thank you,
     
  19. Nov 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Conventional wisdom says red instrument lights are better, since the red light does not affect your night vision by looking at it.
     
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  20. Nov 6, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    I have a habit of watching the road, but maybe that's just me? :shrug:
    :D
     
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