Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => Accessories and Modifications - C10 => Topic started by: kbecker3 on January 09, 2012, 12:41:56 PM

Title: dash led bulbs
Post by: kbecker3 on January 09, 2012, 12:41:56 PM
I am thinking about getting LED bulbs for my dash, didn't see too much on the forums about this. Anyone have any pics? I saw one topic where it was explaining that you want to get the bulbs with 4 LED's on them. Also it suggested green as a good color. The thread didn't have any dash pics. So I wanted to see if any one had any pics of their dash after they put LED's in there, or if anyone had any other advice on colors. I especially dont like how bright the High beam is while driving at night. Maybe a single LED bulb? Any thoughts?

thanks!
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: bowtie39 on January 09, 2012, 08:26:32 PM
Just did the conversion.  Don't have any pics but I do recommend this.  I went with green(4) instrument bulbs with 5 LED.   Did the blinkers, oil, and high beam with 4 LED bulbs in correct colors.
This will cut down on brightness and save money.  And went with a green for the clock and that is nice.  Might look into even smaller for the high beam if concerned with too bright.  I run HID headlight and running lights so never flick to high beam but a 4 LED isn't too bright to me.  Superbrightled store has them.  I'd have to dig up invoice to get you part #'s but can if you need them.

Roger
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: SteveJ. on January 10, 2012, 06:55:12 PM
I ride a lot in the dark, so I don't like bright dash lights glaring at me. I used blue tinted singles for dash illumination, and 4 gang for indicator lights. I left the stockers in the clock and high beam. Except for the bottom odometers, the blue singles work nicely.

(http://wm58.inbox.com/thumbs/2c_ec270_4e4e2918_tn.jpg.thumb)

(http://wm58.inbox.com/thumbs/2d_ec26f_da9512e8_tn.jpg.thumb)

They look "cooler" in person.
Title: This forum is dead dead dead
Post by: Uded2me on January 10, 2012, 10:48:24 PM
d e a d
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: kbecker3 on January 11, 2012, 06:40:04 AM
Sweet, The blue looks good with the single LED bulb. I may end up going with those. Mostly my concern was with the high beam, on my last trip to michigan, it was all dark, and a slight mist going on. The high beam was on quite a bit, and the indicator was definatly annoying at times. So I may have to try something like the last post. while the dash is off, i will definatly make sure i like the brightness before i button the dash back up.

thanks for the pics!
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: cdc120 on January 11, 2012, 04:53:07 PM
Has anybody used amber bulbs. I'm painting my bike black and burnt copper and I wanted the dash lights a orange color to match. What kind of LED bulb does the Clock take?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: bowtie39 on January 11, 2012, 05:42:51 PM
Jus saying,  green has been proven to be the better color for the eye to watch.  This was in a thread started about a month ago here and why I went with green.

Roger
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: rick3foxes on January 12, 2012, 01:24:02 PM
What kind of LED bulb does the Clock take?

This is for a 2003...

Left: WLED-G5 (194) wedge base
Center: 74-GHP Mini wedge base
Right: OEM clock light bulb

(Part numbers are from www.superbrightleds.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com) )

The 74-GHP worked perfectly for the clock.   ("G" is for Green)

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff186/rick3foxes/Connie/LED.jpg)
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: bowtie39 on January 14, 2012, 06:33:50 PM
Here is the green version.  Gauge lights are 5led, clock is like the one pictured in previous post.  Now, the oil light is a 4led and it's kinda bright.  The high beam and neutral are the same.  So one might try even smaller or as one poster suggested to cover from the backside of lens.  I'm using HID headlight with running lights so I never use a high beam thus indicator doesn't bother me. 

Roger
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: kbecker3 on January 26, 2012, 06:28:58 AM
Thanks for the pics, I ended up using green Single green LED bulbs for the gauges, and the Indicator lights were single LED bulbs in blue green and red.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: bowtie39 on January 26, 2012, 08:49:32 PM
IMO you picked the color that's easiest on the eyes.  Singles for the indicators is a gooood choice.  Next time I replace will probably go with those instead of the fours.  Singles should also save some money!

Roger
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on January 17, 2013, 08:40:38 PM
I bought the 4 led
PRODUCT(S)
Qty    Product/Options    Price/Ea
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-R4-90: Red Wide    $1.59
7    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-G4-90: Green Wide    $2.59
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-B4-90: Blue Wide    $2.59
1    74-xHP: 74 LED Bulb - 1 SMD LED Wedge Base 74-GHP: Green    $2.49
SubTotal:    $24.80
Sales Tax:    $0.00
Shipping:    $2.99
TOTAL:    $27.79
These are before pics
® 2002-2013 Super Bright LEDs Inc.
4400 Earth City Expressway
St. Louis, Missouri 63045-1328
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on January 17, 2013, 08:45:25 PM
After pics
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: wahrsuul on January 18, 2013, 06:18:58 AM
I went with the 4LED "bulbs" in mine, blue for the gauges and clock, matching colors for the indicators and turns.  I have to say the hi-beam is annoyingly bright.  The other ind. lights are bright, but I like them that way.  The gauges aren't too bright - just right for me - but the color is washed out.  Still one of my favorite mods.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: Outback_Jon on January 18, 2013, 07:25:24 AM
Now, the oil light is a 4led and it's kinda bright.
That actually sounds like a good thing.  That's one indicator light that you don't want to miss because it wasn't bright enough.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: PCPeteUK on January 18, 2013, 09:42:31 AM
Thanks for the pics, I ended up using green Single green LED bulbs for the gauges, and the Indicator lights were single LED bulbs in blue green and red.
Hi Kbecker3 - any chance of the part numbers from your invoice - that alteration would look really neat on mine too.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: Bart on January 22, 2013, 11:45:00 PM
Red would be best for riding in the dark since red does not hurt night vision.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on January 28, 2013, 06:22:05 AM
I put a WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-B4-90: Blue Wide    $2.59 in the hi beam indicator and wow! It's blinding. I won't be using hi beam for a while until I can put the original back in. All the others are great. I did have one bad bulb though. It had a bad connection that I could see inside. They were poorly marked for polarity. No they won't work backwards. It's easy once you figure out which side is positive in the socket.
Qty    Product/Options    Price/Ea
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-R4-90: Red Wide    $1.59
7    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-G4-90: Green Wide    $2.59
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-B4-90: Blue Wide    $2.59
1    74-xHP: 74 LED Bulb - 1 SMD LED Wedge Base 74-GHP: Green    $2.49
SubTotal:    $24.80
Sales Tax:    $0.00
Shipping:    $2.99
TOTAL:    $27.79

® 2002-2013 Super Bright LEDs Inc.
4400 Earth City Expressway
St. Louis, Missouri 63045-1328
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: yoman on January 29, 2013, 03:13:19 PM
This looks like a cool up grade. How big of a deal is it to get the dash out??
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on January 29, 2013, 03:42:26 PM
This looks like a cool up grade. How big of a deal is it to get the dash out??
Takes an hour. Hardest thing is finding the "+" terminal on the LED. Some have opted for red or yellow or white.
I don't regret my 4 LED green choice. The red oil and blue high beam as well as the green neutral light are fine.
There are pictures of red lights on this forum too.
I recommend
7    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-G4-90: Green Wide    $2.59
1    74-xHP: 74 LED Bulb - 1 SMD LED Wedge Base 74-GHP: Green    $2.49
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: yoman on January 29, 2013, 03:47:30 PM
how did you remove the dash?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: yoman on January 29, 2013, 03:54:01 PM
I ride a lot in the dark, so I don't like bright dash lights glaring at me. I used blue tinted singles for dash illumination, and 4 gang for indicator lights. I left the stockers in the clock and high beam. Except for the bottom odometers, the blue singles work nicely.

(http://wm58.inbox.com/thumbs/2c_ec270_4e4e2918_tn.jpg.thumb)

(http://wm58.inbox.com/thumbs/2d_ec26f_da9512e8_tn.jpg.thumb)


They look "cooler" in person.



I'm diggin' the blue.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on January 29, 2013, 04:35:01 PM
how did you remove the dash?
yoman,
1 Remove the windshield
2 Remove the 1 screw under the windshield forward of the dash on top
3 remove the glove box covers
4 remove the 3 screws in the bottom of each box
5 Now I cheat here and carefully roll the cluster cover back and out of the way of the pockets, They will lift up enough to get it out. Disconnect the two leads to the clock
6 disconnect the speedo cable from the wheel (it will give you more room to disconnect it from the speedo)
7 with a 10mm socket remove the 2 screws under the cluster (don't drop them, you'll never see them again)
8 raise the cluster, disconnect the wiring harness and speedo
9 the bulbs are in the 3/8" plugs on the back, gently pry the up and pull the bulb out. pay attention to the wire colors and bulb polarity. they won't work if you put them in backwards, led's are polarized. Just takes an hour. I like the blues, reds and yellows but I'm old school.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: yoman on January 29, 2013, 04:37:39 PM
yoman,
1 Remove the windshield
2 Remove the 1 screw under the windshield forward of the dash on top
3 remove the glove box covers
4 remove the 3 screws in the bottom of each box
5 Now I cheat here and carefully roll the cluster cover back and out of the way of the pockets, They will lift up enough to get it out. Disconnect the two leads to the clock
6 disconnect the speedo cable from the wheel (it will give you more room to disconnect it from the speedo)
7 with a 10mm socket remove the 2 screws under the cluster (don't drop them, you'll never see them again)
8 raise the cluster, disconnect the wiring harness and speedo
9 the bulbs are in the 3/8" plugs on the back, gently pry the up and pull the bulb out. pay attention to the wire colors and bulb polarity. they won't work if you put them in backwards, led's are polarized. Just takes an hour. I like the blues, reds and yellows but I'm old school.

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks.
Title: This forum is dead dead dead
Post by: Uded2me on February 01, 2013, 12:49:33 PM
d e a d
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: yoman on February 01, 2013, 03:18:08 PM
if the bulbs are hooked up with the polarity reversed, will it harm the LEDs or will they just not work?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on February 01, 2013, 05:39:12 PM
if the bulbs are hooked up with the polarity reversed, will it harm the LEDs or will they just not work?
No, not at all, just won't work until you turn it around.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: timmerz on March 22, 2013, 08:27:43 PM
I'm about to take the plunge and try and follow you guys on the path to better lighting....can't see how fast I'm going at night any more, and like I've been reading, the high beam blue is darned annoying...
Can anybody advise if any of these parts schemes will work on old-school Connies? Specifically, a '92 like mine? Or, failing that, has anybody done this upgrade on their older Connie and can share the details?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on March 22, 2013, 10:41:49 PM
It'll work fine, there's not that much difference in the tow models. i would leave hi beam alone. It's too bright. Pick a color and have fun. I'd still like a little brighter clock light.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: timmerz on March 23, 2013, 11:28:48 AM
Ok, I'm in the superbrightled website, looking at bike dash lights, there is an option for narrow or wide-angle on the bulbs....I'm kind of assuming here, but I'd probably want narrow (32 deg) for the lensed bulbs (indicators) and wide (90 deg) for the background (dash glow) bulbs, right?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: kbecker3 on March 24, 2013, 02:55:54 PM
I got mine from Super bright leds.com. I got the single led (WLED-g-120). Basicly 194 bulbs, the wide angle (120 degrees) green. along with a red and blue for the indicators and the green 74 bulb for the clock.

these are the 194 bulbs:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-led-wedge-base/197/ (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-led-wedge-base/197/)
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on March 24, 2013, 03:15:26 PM
I got mine from Super bright leds.com. I got the single led (WLED-g-120). Basicly 194 bulbs, the wide angle (120 degrees) green. along with a red and blue for the indicators and the green 74 bulb for the clock.

these are the 194 bulbs:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-led-wedge-base/197/ (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-led-wedge-base/197/)
But isn't that just 1 led and isn't it dimmer than a 4 led, 5 Lumen
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-4-led-wedge-base/198/ (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-4-led-wedge-base/198/)
My 4 led bulbs were just right. 15 Lumen
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: kbecker3 on March 24, 2013, 05:13:44 PM
yep, single led is what i used. I thought the 4 led ones looked too bright. The bottom of my gauges are a little dark, but i think its just right for me as i dont like my gauges too bright. You can see mine on the first page of this thread.
Title: This forum is dead dead dead
Post by: Uded2me on March 26, 2013, 02:53:53 PM
d e a d
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: timmerz on March 26, 2013, 08:04:44 PM
Very cool ideas, I will definitely use them if the single-led still proves to be too distracting when the high-beam is on....
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: pranje on April 19, 2013, 09:20:22 PM
I just switched my dash over to the LED's. What I did rather than pop out the lense for the high beam, was color the end of the bulb with a black sharpie. I played around with mine on the bench. I ran temp power to the gages and tested each light before I mounted back up. The sharpie on the bulb is close to perfect. I don't think it will burn off too quickly seeing that I don't get to run for long periods of time with the highs on. And if it does I only have to pull that bulb out, not the whloe meter pod. FYI for anyone considering using red LEDs; single red LEDs are not bright enough, I ended up needing to order the four LEDs for the (4) main meter lights.  Also red on the clock is not good, I have tried both the single  and the SMD (?) and both are hard too see. I will be ordering a green SMD most likely.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 03, 2013, 07:18:30 AM
 :D hi, great site, have just replaced my dash bulbs with 4 led bulbs. I went for blue and am very happy, i ordered the bulbs from "hong kong" via ebay- 6 4led bulbs for 99p and free delivery. took 14 days but for less than a pound !!
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on September 03, 2013, 08:19:44 AM
That is 99p ($1.50) each, correct?
In Jan 2013,
I bought the 4 led
PRODUCT(S)
Qty    Product/Options    Price/Ea
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-R4-90: Red Wide    $1.59
7    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-G4-90: Green Wide    $2.59
1    WLED-x4-x: 194 LED Bulb - 4 LED Wedge Base WLED-B4-90: Blue Wide    $2.59
1    74-xHP: 74 LED Bulb - 1 SMD LED Wedge Base 74-GHP: Green    $2.49
SubTotal:    $24.80
Sales Tax:    $0.00
Shipping:    $2.99
TOTAL:    $27.79

® 2002-2013 Super Bright LEDs Inc.
4400 Earth City Expressway
St. Louis, Missouri 63045-1328
http://www.superbrightleds.com/ (http://www.superbrightleds.com/)
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 03, 2013, 08:44:14 AM
Hi, no 99p for 6 4led smd  194 bulbs. Ijust replaced the main dials, not the oil,neutral etc, so only 4 bulbs needed leaving 2 for spares.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on September 03, 2013, 10:16:48 AM
Hi, no 99p for 6 4led smd  194 bulbs. Ijust replaced the main dials, not the oil,neutral etc, so only 4 bulbs needed leaving 2 for spares.
Got a web site?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 03, 2013, 10:25:56 AM
Got on ebay..  i just typed in the bulb number eg- 4led 194 bulb then selected lowest p+p then scanned to find what i wanted, then searched for 1led 74 bulb to fit the clock so everything matched in blue.
Hope this helps.
Seller i bought from on ebay was called "eshopbuygo"
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on September 03, 2013, 01:19:05 PM
Got on ebay..  i just typed in the bulb number eg- 4led 194 bulb then selected lowest p+p then scanned to find what i wanted, then searched for 1led 74 bulb to fit the clock so everything matched in blue.
Hope this helps.
Seller i bought from on ebay was called "eshopbuygo"
Thanks
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 09, 2013, 02:25:35 PM
Finaly got pic of my blue  (99p leds from ebay) dash.
Pretty neat i think !
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: julianop on September 09, 2013, 07:18:01 PM
Only 26,000 miles? I know petrol is expensive back home, but crikey, a chap needs to ride more ;-)

Nice blue, I might have to do that myself. I fell in love with blue panel illumination when I got my first Passat back in '99. It was the first model year of that style, and the blue panel with red needles was so distinctive people would slow down as they passed me and gape at the panel. Well, I think that's what they were doing; they certainly weren't gazing at my Adonis-like beauty ;-)
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 10, 2013, 03:32:33 AM
 ;D lol, there is a reason for low mileage, "4 other bikes" see pic
yes the blue is neat, makes the dash real clear to see, i got a set of red led bulbs with the blue if i fancy a change lol.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: wahrsuul on September 10, 2013, 04:12:49 AM
Looks almost exactly like the blue I got.  Good deal.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: julianop on September 10, 2013, 06:25:17 AM
;D lol, there is a reason for low mileage, "4 other bikes" see pic

Nice lineup! Yup, that would definitely do it! No room to keep them, though, in our tightly packed English suburbia; you'd better come over here to the American Midwest and put up a pole barn for all your toys.

yes the blue is neat, makes the dash real clear to see, i got a set of red led bulbs with the blue if i fancy a change lol.

Blue is not distracting at night, given that the eyes are less sensitive to blue light. The red, though?  :o

Speaking of which, that does seem to be your colour ...

Four other bikes? One missing?
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 10, 2013, 06:39:10 AM
Yes, the wifes car has red dash and looks good at night, will maybe just stick to blue !

Ah the other bike, i havent got a pic of all of them together, my "other connie"

You never know the USA might be an idea  :D
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: julianop on September 10, 2013, 05:47:21 PM
You never know the USA might be an idea  :D

Oh, come on over! I've been here thirty one years, and they've only driven me slightly mad  ;D

... I won't comment on your wife's red dashboard ...  :o
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gorbs on September 26, 2013, 11:50:24 AM
 can any one tell me how the bulb comes out of the clock ?. doesn't seem to twist and I don't want to pull too hard on it. taking the clock body apart also was no help. I have a 2003 model and just placed an order for bulbs based on info here.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: m hanlen on September 26, 2013, 11:58:16 AM
can any one tell me how the bulb comes out of the clock ?. doesn't seem to twist and I don't want to pull too hard on it. taking the clock body apart also was no help. I have a 2003 model and just placed an order for bulbs based on info here.
It is a rubber grommet that pulls out. The bulb comes with it.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 26, 2013, 01:47:48 PM
Yep, just pull the black grommets out to free bulbs  ;)
Title: This forum is dead dead dead
Post by: Uded2me on September 26, 2013, 03:23:21 PM
d e a d
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gorbs on September 26, 2013, 07:15:56 PM
thanks guys. was fiddling some more before reading and popped one side of the metal can off that covers the bulb  :o. lol was easy enough after that to just pull the bulb from the socket. nothing a little super epoxy can't fix.

prior to that I tried a bit more effort turning the rubber base and pulling to no avail. :-[

oh I should mention I went with the blue 4 led for the dash and green for the clock. will post a pic when all my upgrades are done and the bike is back together.
Title: should have posted this here - how to keep leds from blowing out
Post by: George R. Young on September 26, 2013, 08:00:41 PM
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15204.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15204.0)
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gtr a14 on September 27, 2013, 04:36:36 AM
thanks guys. was fiddling some more before reading and popped one side of the metal can off that covers the bulb  :o. lol was easy enough after that to just pull the bulb from the socket. nothing a little super epoxy can't fix.

prior to that I tried a bit more effort turning the rubber base and pulling to no avail. :-[

oh I should mention I went with the blue 4 led for the dash and green for the clock. will post a pic when all my upgrades are done and the bike is back together.
hi, maybe a sillly question but why green for the clock?, i used 4 led for dash and 1led for clock all in blue  ???
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gorbs on September 28, 2013, 09:24:00 AM
the green for the clock was just to be different. if I don't like it I can always change it.
Title: Re: dash led bulbs
Post by: gorbs on September 28, 2013, 07:02:35 PM
that shipping is FAST. got the bulbs installed and they look great. blue in the dash and green for the clock. now what's this about them burning out ? and having to mod the circuit ?.