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74 AMX Instrument Panel Lights

Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Electrical - non engine
Forum Description: Charging systems, lights, non-ignition system, it goes here.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91146
Printed Date: Mar/29/2024 at 7:50am
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Topic: 74 AMX Instrument Panel Lights
Posted By: apannizzo
Subject: 74 AMX Instrument Panel Lights
Date Posted: Nov/30/2017 at 7:32pm
Recently, I put a set of LED lights to Light my Instrument Panel. After I put it all together, I noticed that the Brightness was not that great. I can barely see my Temp and Oil Gauge in first slot and only slightly better on Other two Displays. Should I go Back to Regular Bulbs or Did I do something wrong? The flexible Circuit Board is new. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Allan Pannizzo



Replies:
Posted By: tomj
Date Posted: Nov/30/2017 at 10:59pm
there are different brightness LEDs and bulbs both. gotta match them up when you buy them. usually Candlepower or Candelas (MCD) or some such...



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1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com



Posted By: apannizzo
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 10:21am
Can someone recommend the Best lights to use? I only want to take apart one more time if Possible!

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Allan Pannizzo


Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 10:34am
The best is multi led array. So light emits from all sides and on top.

Here is a picture of what is best.



If you want to dim them... you can use an adjustable voltage to frequency converter to control them. Though you would need some electronics knowledge to wire and set it up.



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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker


Posted By: apannizzo
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 3:30pm
Hey Dude,

Those look Great! Do you happen to know the manufacturer or part number I need to order?
Thanks!

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Allan Pannizzo


Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 4:04pm
Here is one seller

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pieces-20SMD-T10-1206-Dome-Index-Car-LED-Lamp-Bulbs-Wedge-White-Light-DC12V/232168918361?hash=item360e588d59:g:tacAAOSw8gVX~0CH&vxp=mtr" rel="nofollow - https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pieces-20SMD-T10-1206-Dome-Index-Car-LED-Lamp-Bulbs-Wedge-White-Light-DC12V/232168918361?hash=item360e588d59:g:tacAAOSw8gVX~0CH&vxp=mtr

And a US seller with the ones I have They use the larger LED segments, and are very bright. Thus he idea of using a voltage to frequency converter to drive the LED lights with pulses, to keep them white no matter how dim you make them. Resistors make them bluish as they are under driven by current.

Here is one seller

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pieces-20SMD-T10-1206-Dome-Index-Car-LED-Lamp-Bulbs-Wedge-White-Light-DC12V/232168918361?hash=item360e588d59:g:tacAAOSw8gVX~0CH&vxp=mtr" rel="nofollow - https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pieces-20SMD-T10-1206-Dome-Index-Car-LED-Lamp-Bulbs-Wedge-White-Light-DC12V/232168918361?hash=item360e588d59:g:tacAAOSw8gVX~0CH&vxp=mtr

And a US seller with the ones I have They use the larger LED segments, and are very bright. Thus he idea of using a voltage to frequency converter to drive the LED lights with pulses, to keep them white no matter how dim you make them. Resistors make them bluish as they are under driven by current.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-White-SMD-5-LED-12v-T10-Wedge-Light-Bulb-Interior-Instrument-Panel-Gauge/301085945013?hash=item461a1eecb5:g:M3UAAOSwDN1US-sS&vxp=mtr" rel="nofollow - https://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-White-SMD-5-LED-12v-T10-Wedge-Light-Bulb-Interior-Instrument-Panel-Gauge/301085945013?hash=item461a1eecb5:g:M3UAAOSwDN1US-sS&vxp=mtr



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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker


Posted By: Fluffy73
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 6:51pm
Be sure to order GREEN ones if you want to retain that AMC green dash glow.
The bright white ones are so bright, they over-power the green diffusers in the dash cluster and will actually make your cluster light up bright white!!


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I am genetically incapable of being Politically Correct.


Posted By: Mopar_guy
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 7:38pm
You might try to bypass the rheostat to see if they brighten up first. Just use a jumper wire to feed that circuit 12v and see if they get brighter. The ones I have don't look real bright either until you're driving at night. Then I wouldn't want them any brighter so I like them the way they are.
Those multi directionals might not fit behind the green bubble in the cluster. Check the dimensions before you buy them.
Fluffy's right. Get green if you want to keep that color. I put blue in mine because I wanted blue instead of green. 

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" http://theamcforum.com/forum/hemilina_topic95889.html" rel="nofollow - Hemilina " My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin


Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 7:43pm
Originally posted by Mopar_guy Mopar_guy wrote:

You might try to bypass the rheostat to see if they brighten up first. Just use a jumper wire to feed that circuit 12v and see if they get brighter. The ones I have don't look real bright either until you're driving at night. Then I wouldn't want them any brighter so I like them the way they are.
Those multi directionals might not fit behind the green bubble in the cluster. Check the dimensions before you buy them.
Fluffy's right. Get green if you want to keep that color. I put blue in mine because I wanted blue instead of green. 



The ones I listed do, as il am using the large single square led multi directional instead of quad mini.

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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker


Posted By: apannizzo
Date Posted: Dec/01/2017 at 8:03pm
Well I ordered the ones Dude said and I got the white ones. Hopefully they won’t be too bright but I think the Green will come through, I Hope!!

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Allan Pannizzo


Posted By: pit crew
Date Posted: Dec/02/2017 at 7:51am
Just a thought. Did you clean the green bulb covers? I have seen some clusters where the covers were so dirty inside that they would make an aircraft landing light look dim. Also check the voltage coming from the panel light switch. The 74 bubble fender has a one of a kind panel switch with an exposed rheostat. Over the years the dirt buildup and corrosion can really kill the effectiveness of the rheostat. Like someone else suggested bypass the rheostat and see how it looks with full 12 volts.  


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73 Hornet - 401EFI - THM400 - Twin Grip 20


Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Dec/02/2017 at 8:00am
The ones ordered will be bright, but... Green tint is green tent, the green led versions will be greener than stock, so on the lesser of two evils white will do, and you can paint dots on the center of the led to diffuse too much light if too bright.

As for the dim replacements, it is possible they are uni directional, and only are lighting the protruding surround of the back panel and not radiating light around it.

That is why i gave that particular light replacement as the best option.


Ps... If a mix does not light up, rotate the non functioning led 180 degrees as you install. Test on the bench, else you will be pulling the panel more than you like.

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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker


Posted By: apannizzo
Date Posted: Dec/02/2017 at 8:17am
Hey Pit Crew,

What should I use to effectively clean the Rheostat? Since I am taking it apart again I might as well give it a good cleaning!

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Allan Pannizzo


Posted By: pit crew
Date Posted: Dec/02/2017 at 11:08am
Originally posted by apannizzo apannizzo wrote:

Hey Pit Crew,

What should I use to effectively clean the Rheostat? Since I am taking it apart again I might as well give it a good cleaning!
I have had good luck with contact cleaner but be very gentle and lube the pivot points while you have it out.


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73 Hornet - 401EFI - THM400 - Twin Grip 20


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Dec/02/2017 at 12:50pm
Compare luminosity, not candlepower. Lumens measures total light output, candlepower is measured more directionally.
Do get bulbs that have output all around - DEPENDING on the location. You may end up using two different sorts of bulbs, depending on what it does, the orientation, etc.
My Eagle has LED in the dash and I LOVE IT. the color of light is excellent and I can see things fine. They are dimmable via the normal methods. 
Be aware there are still some out there that need to be correctly installed watching polarity - not so common these days, but still out there.  Those I bought from the vendor below work either direction, the better ones seem to.

I buy from "superbrightleds dot com" or whatever their name is. 
The guy is good, knows his stuff, and has a ton of information.

For other locations, MATCH LED COLOR to lens color. Front marker lights use amber/yellow, rear markers use red, and so on. I learned that years ago and it makes a huge difference. 
the exception for me was I used "white" or plain in the dash and it worked great. The light is just slightly blue and looks amazing. 

The turn indicators, MIL and other lights are LED except the dash ALT light - don't convert that one!
The dash ALT light is part of the charging system circuit...........

I've been converting my SX/4 to LED as I can afford.......


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