Has anyone put interior leds in to replace their interior bulbs? Can an led strip just be wired to the interior light wires? or any comments accepted... Thanks Frank
Sure I have used led bulbs, work fine. Several threads on this. I bought on Amazon. I prefer the leds with lower temp, say 2700 or 3000k vs say 6000k. They are less blue, a little more tradition color vs super white.
194 for the dash lights, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186P1MUW/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Buick|45&Model=GS 455|1984&Year=1970|1970&ie=UTF8&newVehicle=1&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive 1893 is a BA9. Tachometer, climate control, and glove box. https://www.amazon.com/Instrument-C...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 89 for the front courtesy, trunk and license plate light, https://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Re...t=&hvlocphy=9004382&hvtargid=pla-876272225237 And 211-2 for the sail panel lights. 578 LED https://www.amazon.com/iBrightstar-...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
The only thing I don't like about the LED interior loght conversion is that it isn't a "soft" light. It's kinda harsh.
I like the whiteness of the light. It enhances the colors on the dash, especially the Tachometer. There are softer LED lights for those that find it objectionable.
Depending on what/where you read green instrument lights cause the least amount of night blindness outside the car while driving. Some will say red is best, but I don't like red dash lights. I went with green in my el camino and I had some left over, so I tossed them in the Electra, not completely done (lower left dash), but here are a couple of photos. They look really bright but they are easy on the eyes driving at night in the country. I used LED replacements for the courtesy lights in both cars from Amazon. Amazon links. The 194 bulbs are polarity dependent, so you will need to flip them over if they don't work the first time you plug them in the socket. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087BX3KT6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079NXHVB6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091SWD3L9?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RDGHNL8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Mirror Map light is a 563. These would work, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=563+LED+...sprefix=563+led+bulb,aps,166&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Ash Tray is a 1445, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=1445+LED...prefix=1445+led+bulb,aps,121&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Jason, I totally agree with you... that's a function of the temperature of the bulb. Lumens equal brightness but temp equals the "whiteness". Traditional incandescent bulbs are actually amber -- about 2700K. Most LEDs are 3000K and up, as high as 6000K. As you go up the light gets bluer and "harsher". So when you crank the lumens and the temp, it will seem SUPER white. Lately, I'm seeing more options for bright LEDs that are lower temp. Chris' choice of green might be a nice alternative. I like how bright my LEDs are in the dash but they are a little harsh for my taste. I do still love how the LEDs brighten the rest of the interior. Most of those other lights are behind a white cover, so they are not as harsh. One tip if you buy 194 type LED bulbs on Amazon, etc., be sure they are NOT polarity sensitive (many cheapies are...). Nothing worse than contorting your body to get the bulbs in and then realizing some don't light because they need to be swapped in the holder... That just sucks...
Yes, the ones I used are non polarity specific. I have used them in both my cars. Plug and play. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186P1MU...wVehicle=1&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive
I csn see maybe doing the cluster in LEDs. But the incandescent bulbs give the interior a nice ambiance. Looks more inviting. Do you really need it looking like Giants stadium when you open the door?
Ahh, yeah, I like that look. Just a matter of personal preference. I even converted the inside of my Riv,
I like the led interior lights so when it’s dark out and we’re at the track and the wife has the pass. door open and on her phone I don’t have to worry bout the battery