SMT LED Bulbs (#74) for 98-99 Gauge Cluster
03-08-2008, 10:07 PM
#1
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SMT LED Bulbs (#74) for 98-99 Gauge Cluster
The prevailing Org wisdom for years has been that the mini LED #74 bulbs that fit in 98-99 Maxima gauge cluster sockets are too dim and/or have too narrow a light output angle to work well in our dash. However, recently 74 bulbs with surface mount LEDs became available and I think I'm going to try them.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm
http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/P...id/0/SFV/32481
SMT LEDs have ~120° viewing angle and they are super bright (19,000 MCD...I'm worried that's too bright actually). Has anyone tried these in a 4th gen cluster? I really would like to avoid custom soldering and cutting so the fact that these are plug and play is a huge plus.
Even after looking at write-ups and photos, I don't understand how the light is directed from the source to the gauge. Would these still lead to uneven lighting of the gauges, since the incandescent bulbs have basically 360° output?
Are there just four of these or how many do I need? What about the individual warning lights, are they also 74s or what?
http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm
http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/P...id/0/SFV/32481
SMT LEDs have ~120° viewing angle and they are super bright (19,000 MCD...I'm worried that's too bright actually). Has anyone tried these in a 4th gen cluster? I really would like to avoid custom soldering and cutting so the fact that these are plug and play is a huge plus.
Even after looking at write-ups and photos, I don't understand how the light is directed from the source to the gauge. Would these still lead to uneven lighting of the gauges, since the incandescent bulbs have basically 360° output?
Are there just four of these or how many do I need? What about the individual warning lights, are they also 74s or what?
03-09-2008, 10:29 AM
#5
i used them.
the photo over-exagerates the hotspots, but around the 60 mph and 5k rpm is a little dim. the bulbs also do not snap into the holders very tight so i used a dab of silicone on the end to stick them into place. all in all i'm happy with them for a semi-pnp product.
*edit you need 5 smt bulbs, for the warning lights i used inverted wedge bulbs since they are cheaper and light pattern isn't as much of an issue.
the photo over-exagerates the hotspots, but around the 60 mph and 5k rpm is a little dim. the bulbs also do not snap into the holders very tight so i used a dab of silicone on the end to stick them into place. all in all i'm happy with them for a semi-pnp product.
*edit you need 5 smt bulbs, for the warning lights i used inverted wedge bulbs since they are cheaper and light pattern isn't as much of an issue.
Last edited by BLACKonBLACK98; 03-09-2008 at 10:34 AM.
03-09-2008, 02:00 PM
#6
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Kthx BlackonBlack, that looks good. Where did you buy the #74 SMTs from? There are several places selling them and I'm not sure if they're all identical or maybe have slight differences. I am going to use white which I believe are brighter so maybe the hotspots will be even less noticeable.
Are the warning light bulbs also the same #74 socket then? Do you remember how many red and how many orange, etc?
Are the warning light bulbs also the same #74 socket then? Do you remember how many red and how many orange, etc?
03-09-2008, 04:49 PM
#8
bought them from v-leds, but they look to be identical from everywhere. the warning lights are 74 but the count will probably be different for you since i change colors. all mine that were blue or green are now blue, red or orange are red.
03-09-2008, 06:43 PM
#9
I bought mine from v-leds too. I have not installed them yet cause I am waiting on my clear cover to arrive. After ten years, it looks bad. I will show a pic when i get them installed.
03-09-2008, 08:11 PM
#11
this is for the 98-99 right>? w the digital odometer? just wondering if the bulbs in the back are 194 bulbs......u guys said 74...but som1 else told me 194...i want to have the bulbs before i take the cluster off..also wondering exactly which 1 you used BLACKonBLACK98....looks really good.
03-09-2008, 08:49 PM
#12
i have them installed too - the hotspots aren't that bad at all. i had blue at first, but the needles (orange) were a bit difficult to see. i replaced them with white, which have a soft blue tint to them anyway.
03-09-2008, 08:51 PM
#13
this is for the 98-99 right>? w the digital odometer? just wondering if the bulbs in the back are 194 bulbs......u guys said 74...but som1 else told me 194...i want to have the bulbs before i take the cluster off..also wondering exactly which 1 you used BLACKonBLACK98....looks really good.
03-12-2008, 02:03 PM
#18
03-12-2008, 04:07 PM
#19
03-12-2008, 04:07 PM
#20
03-12-2008, 04:50 PM
#21
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You don't need to buy the twist lock bases (I know superbrightleds.com has them for sale separately) because they are included with the stock bulbs. So just buy the 74 LEDs and put them in the twist lock bases, with appropriate adhesive as BlackonBlack mentioned.
03-12-2008, 05:18 PM
#22
autolumination.com has 3x smt led 74 bulbs. i tested them in another size and output was slightly better. had i not already spent a grip on smt 74 i would probably spend the extra couple bucks.
autolumination also carries neo-wedge leds for dcc (x4). i installed them but have not had a chance to power them up.
wow, you could use those as headlights!
03-12-2008, 09:38 PM
#25
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Superbright has a different kind of 3xSMT 74s (in white only) but I figured that the side-facing SMTs wouldn't add much to the gauge illumination. But maybe I'm wrong.
03-13-2008, 09:56 AM
#26
Actually 19,000 MCD isn't that bright. 19,000 MCD with a 120° beam angle is about 60 lumens. For comparison, a 100 watt incandescent bulb is about 1,700 lumens...
Superbright has a different kind of 3xSMT 74s (in white only) but I figured that the side-facing SMTs wouldn't add much to the gauge illumination. But maybe I'm wrong.
Superbright has a different kind of 3xSMT 74s (in white only) but I figured that the side-facing SMTs wouldn't add much to the gauge illumination. But maybe I'm wrong.
03-13-2008, 07:29 PM
#28
Here is mine. The picture doesn't do them justice. Can't really notice the hot spots that well in person. The dimmer still works. Only thing is, there were only 4 bulbs. Weird, i ordered 6 thinking thats how many I needed. Oh well, have 2 spares now. Mine isn't near as bright as blackonblack98,dammit. I did notice that my needles aren't that bright either.
Last edited by maximized98; 03-13-2008 at 07:31 PM.
03-15-2008, 04:13 PM
#31
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Maximized, there are actually 5 bulbs. Four are for the dials and one is for the digital odometer. Note: the digital odometer light only comes on when the key is in the ON position and the lights are on!
Like BlackonBlack, I found the LED bulbs were loose in the twist-lock sockets. Instead of his method, I simply wrapped a thin strip of electrical tape around the base of each bulb. I think wrapping about three times around made them snug enough, but you just have to experiment. Be careful not to cover the metal leads.
For the ignition ring light, I bought a red #74 SMT bulb and unfortunately it's a bit too long to fit in the housing. So I'm going to use electrical tape again to get it snug without inserting it into the housing all the way. The bulb also was loose in the socket but I couldn't use electrical tape because this socket is smaller. So I'm going to try a dab of silicone adhesive.
03-15-2008, 06:50 PM
#32
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Well, I'm a bit disappointed—because of the blue tint inside the gauges, my cluster is now light blue rather than pure white. I didn't think it would be this blue. Also, it's not as bright or as even as I'd hoped. These are pretty tiny SMT LEDs and they couldn't be that much brighter than regular LEDs.
At this point I think the best solution is "hyperwhite" incandescent bulbs. For example, Polarg makes 194 bulbs and a few 4th gen owners on the Org have used them in their dash with great results—very white, very even light. This would involve a little modification so the bulbs fit. (Unfortunately, 74 bulbs only seem to come in 1.4/1.5 watt and plain white.) A regular bulb will be superior because of wider angle and because the light source is farther back from the gauges.
For example: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...25&postcount=9
At this point I think the best solution is "hyperwhite" incandescent bulbs. For example, Polarg makes 194 bulbs and a few 4th gen owners on the Org have used them in their dash with great results—very white, very even light. This would involve a little modification so the bulbs fit. (Unfortunately, 74 bulbs only seem to come in 1.4/1.5 watt and plain white.) A regular bulb will be superior because of wider angle and because the light source is farther back from the gauges.
For example: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...25&postcount=9
Last edited by VQuick; 03-15-2008 at 06:55 PM.
03-17-2008, 12:51 PM
#35
P.S. THAT IS TOTALY WICKED... what did you do?the red SMT.. i was gonna get those.. now im def. getting it. what did you do to your guage.. why is it.. like purple... and glowing...
03-17-2008, 06:01 PM
#36
Edit: that was'nt ment for you Mac. it was for the guy above.
03-18-2008, 11:05 AM
#39
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You can definitely change the lights on GLE/GXE gauges, the bulb sizes are the same. Homer, the direct fit bulbs are #74. You can buy regular #74 bulbs at auto parts stores if you just want a replacement, or you can order #74 LED bulbs online.
03-18-2008, 12:33 PM
#40