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MG MGA - LED gauge bulbs

I recently bought some led bulbs for the gauges, but find they are too long for the fuel and oil/temp units. The top of the bulb would be approx. 1/8" too long, as when you push the bulb holder into the hole in the bracket, it butts against the back of the dash. The normal screw in or even two pin bulbs are OK as they are shorter. Anyone else had tis problem?
Gary Lock

yes. I am now in the process of trying with LED strips, I will mail you some stuff tonight
dominic clancy

Gary

I haven't forgotten, but went back to the drawing board after trying to fit the first attempt and giving up after an hour on my back under the dash. Version two looks as though I will be more successful, but I forgot to take the camera downstairs with me so will take photos tomorrow when my feet have warmed up gain - it's only 6C in the garage today....

Dominic
dominic clancy

This is what worked best after a number of different approaches. Minimal light spill into the footwell and a nice bright gauge without any permanent modifications to gauge or bracket at all. This is the fuel gauge, same idea for the dual gauge which has a twin screw bracket. The bracket is just a piece of aluminium sheet cut and bent to fit to the gauge bracket.

I did try just a single sleeve which held the LEDs up against the illumination window of the gauge housing, but it was very difficult to mount, and the light reaching the gauge face was minimal. Having a distance allows the light to propagate well through the holes. Three LEDs is more than enough, and the top-down lighting prevents any dazzle effect as there's no direct line of sight between the LED and the driver's eyes.

Now I just have to find some better quality LED strip, these gave up while I was working on the various attempts




dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 06/02/2015 and 08/02/2015

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.