Electrical bulb question re: gauge illimination

[Evans Ward]

My VDO gauges in my T-Top gauge pod are too bright for me when illuminated/ lights on and I want to "tone" them down some. When I dim the switch at instrument panel, it helps but then it's hard to read the speedo cluster. Can I place lower wattage bulbs in the overhead gauges without risk to potential electrical problems? I think the bulb wattage standard in these is 2wt and was thinking of going down to 1wt ones. The other options I believe to dimming them would be blackening the bulb surfaces some with a black marker or going the bulb cover route. On the bulb covers, does anyone know of any clear ones available? I don't want the ricer look of colored ones. Thanks for any and all assistance here!

 

[TurboBuRick]

No problem using a lower wattage bulb if you can find it.

Another thing that might work, try to wire the two gauge bulbs in series.

 

[toofastforyou]

Here's a suggestion: You could get one of Kirban's "Analog Dash LED Kit"...They're supposedly brighter than the factory bulbs (maybe as much as your aftermarket gauges ?...)...so if you use the dimmer to lower their intensity, it might also lower your aftermarket gauge's brightness by the same margin as the dash?...

Claude. :redface:

link: 1984 1985 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National T Type Turbo T GNX ANALOG DASH LED LIGHTS (7) KIT

 

[salvageV6]

Black 33+ scotch electrical tape would work too.

Check the bulb temp. first, if it ain't red hot it will work just fine.

Or an LED of proper MCD output replacement soldered in place of the VDO bulb.

 

[Evans Ward]

Thanks for the tech help here guys. I'll take a look at this soon hopefully!

 

[Evans Ward]

161 type bulb used was/ is 2.6 watts. Could not locate a lower wattage 161 bulb than 2.6. Verified that the overhead gauges were also wired in series. From a web search, I used a black sharpie marker to shade the bulb(s) black. This helps alot! The light will still shine through the black marker ink. If this doesn't put them at the level I want, I may experiment with other paint and techniques.

 

[northerngn]

ive colored aftermarket bulbs iwth a black sharpie to dim them down
*note a sharpie does apply like paint
apply it and let it dry check it if ya want more go over it again ect ect

-dan

 

[DailyDrifter]

What about putting a resistor on the power wires going to the lights?

 

[salvageV6]

It can be done but you need a power resistor or a rheostat, low ohmage to do it.

High current capacity and wattage is needed depending upon the bulb load.

A 1 ohm 50 watt resistor dims pretty well, about 25%, for 4-6 gauges.

Surplus stuff is the way to go as they are expensive new, pennies on the dollar for that stuff at parts places local or online.

Or dig one out of a junk car somewhere.

Then again a sharpie or black tape is rather easy too. :biggrin: