Hudson Dash Light Bulbs

allan

Has anyone found a brighter replacement bulb for the GE 55 used in the dash lights.  I was looking at LED, but they are an expensive experiment.  I have pre step down cars and the lights are barely distinguishable.

Thanks,

Allan

50C8DAN

I have some LEDs you can try.  The ones on ebay are pretty cheap.  If you give me your address I will send you a few.

Jon B

Allan, you might look into a #316 bulb.  I have jotted that down in my "little brown book", as a possible upgrade to a #55.

Both have the BA9s base.  The 316 is a hair taller.  But while the #55 has 2 MSCP (brightness), the #316 has 3.4.

Here is a comparison: First, the #55: http://www.bulbtown.com/55_Miniature_Bulb_Ba9s_Base_p/55.htm

Now, the #316: http://www.bulbtown.com/316_MINIATURE_BULB_BA9S_BASE_p/316.htm

You can go through the whole list of available bulbs (this is for "Bulbtown", a specialty bulb vendor on the internet), to compare voltages, bases, overall lengths and (especially) candlepower, here: http://www.bulbtown.com/Insert_Twist_Base_s/1397.htm

Generally, as candlepower increases the life of the bulb decreases.  You might find something with 7 candlepower but its life is 20 hours.  Seems like a lot unless you drive your Hornet to Detroit and back in the rain, with the headlights and dash lights on all the way!   Anyway, good luck!

By the way, LED's are a good bet but make sure you have one that is a SIDE-emitting bulb.  Your instruments rely on side-emitting light to diffuse, and spread around within the housing.  You don't want an LED that shoots straight out like a flashlight, or it won't bounce around and light up your speedometer.

allan

Thanks Jon.  You are right about the limitations of the LED's.  Some have diffusors to help with that.  But, I like your alternate suggestion and have ordered a dozen to install in the dash of my growing population of pinch-body cars.