anybody done the LED dash bulb upgrade?

 

On my list of things to do. I also have no dash lights working. Some detailed instructions either on Jaglovers or E-type UK.

 

John Carey documented his LED dash project on YouTube.


Jim

 

The LED lighting up grades for a XKE dash if done right are very impressive. Buying the led replacement bulbs which are made to fit in the existing sockets is one way (and expensive way) of doing it. Also the very small lights required for the clock, the 3 indicator description strip and the lights required for the heater and choke lighted indicator panels are not available from most suppliers. BUT, their is an very easy inexpensive alternate........
Go to your electronic supply store (or mail order) and buy 20 5 millimetre green or blue or clear leds the bright ones, and 20 of 1/2watt 470 ohm resistors. Now solder the long leg of the led to the resistor then tape it or shrink wrap it. Don't bother insulating the other leg (or wire) as it is the ground. Connect the lead with the resistor to 12volts red and white dash light wire of your jag and connect the other wire to ground. Make sure you connect them this way as leds will only work if hooked up right way round. Now what you will have is a very bright dash light, you can stick this in any one of the instrument light sockets and hold in place with a cork, (mini corks are available from home hardware).
If you like the effect wire up the rest of the leds the same way. You can put double leds in the speedo and tach sockets for a total of 4 per gage. You will notice the bright/dim feature still works, once you have all the leds hooked up ! Now when you push the led into the heat/choke sockets you don't have to worry about bulb heat melting the plastic or distorting the case as there is NO heat from the leds and they use one tenth of the power of the bulbs you replaced. All this and you only spent $25.00 !!!