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Author Topic: New gauge lights  (Read 3115 times)

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Offline SoonerTA

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New gauge lights
« on: January 19, 2010, 08:19:37 PM »
I have installed new autometer gauges in my TA.  I do not have a battery in the car but I want to check what the lights look like all lite up.  Can I just wire it straight up to a car battery?  I have new LED bulbs (Blue) I want to see what they look like!
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Offline brian c

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2010, 08:43:05 PM »
Sure can. Just use a fuse between the battery and your new gauges. No need to fry anything due to a short.
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1978 Y88, '70 455 HO block bored 0.060, TH350, 3.42:1 gears...Oct '08 Fbodywarehouse Calendar - Woot!
1980 Firebird - no engine/tranny... to be pacecar clone

Offline SoonerTA

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2010, 09:03:04 PM »
Quote from: brian c on January 19, 2010, 08:43:05 PM
Sure can. Just use a fuse between the battery and your new gauges. No need to fry anything due to a short.

Good call Brian...Thanks
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Offline Nexus

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2010, 09:18:43 PM »
I have a power converter for such a thing. It plugs into the wall and coverts 110 volts to 12 volts. I have no clue where I got it but I have had it since I was a kid.

Makes work like this really easy
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Charlie
1979 - Esprit (21 years and counting)

Offline SoonerTA

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2010, 09:36:33 PM »
Thanks guys...Here is what the Blue LED looks like. 

I think it looks great!

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Offline Nexus

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 09:37:37 PM »
That does look good!!!
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Charlie
1979 - Esprit (21 years and counting)

Offline SoonerTA

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2010, 09:40:44 PM »
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Offline dgtldesigner

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2010, 12:56:22 AM »
nice!  8)
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Steve


1981 Turbo Trans Am
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Offline brian c

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2010, 08:27:33 AM »
Quote from: Nexus on January 19, 2010, 09:18:43 PM
I have a power converter for such a thing. It plugs into the wall and coverts 110 volts to 12 volts. I have no clue where I got it but I have had it since I was a kid.

Makes work like this really easy

Any cheap train set transformer will work. It's output is 12v DC (as long as you hookup to the DC section as most also have an AC output which you don't want). Since the output is variable you can simulate your headlight dimmer switch.
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1978 Y88, '70 455 HO block bored 0.060, TH350, 3.42:1 gears...Oct '08 Fbodywarehouse Calendar - Woot!
1980 Firebird - no engine/tranny... to be pacecar clone

Offline SoonerTA

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2010, 12:15:02 PM »
Thanks for the information Brian.  Since I am using LED's I should not be able to dim them, Right?
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Offline Nexus

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2010, 06:03:51 PM »
need resistors to make them dim but I don't know about variable dimming I thought they had one level of brightness

I have LEDs on my jeep as tailights and it uses a resistor to operate the driving lights and full current for stop and signal
« Last Edit: January 20, 2010, 06:06:02 PM by Nexus »
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Charlie
1979 - Esprit (21 years and counting)

Offline Kevin

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2010, 06:12:48 PM »
Quote from: SoonerTA on January 20, 2010, 12:15:02 PM
Thanks for the information Brian.  Since I am using LED's I should not be able to dim them, Right?

There is a dimmer you can get for these.
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Offline Nexus

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2010, 06:14:13 PM »
OH yeah!!!

Good to know
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Charlie
1979 - Esprit (21 years and counting)

Offline SoonerTA

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2010, 06:15:01 PM »
I never dim my lights as it is...but I have also never driven with the blue LED gauges before.  I guess I will see when I get my engine put back together and get my car back on the road.  I can't wait!
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Offline SexyTransAm

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Re: New gauge lights
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2010, 06:21:08 PM »
looks damn good dude makes me think bout goin with a white face. what size is that 2 5/8?
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