Gauges at night

[slyck68]

I'm looking for a set of gauges to run in my 68 Firebird and I can't seem to find any really good pics of how they look at night. I've got my heart set on a set of AutoMeter Ultra Lights, specifically with the red LED backlights. But like most of you, if it doesn't look cool at night I DON'T WANT IT! If possible, please post some pics of your illuminated gauges at night and any notes on visibility problems. Thanks guys!

[Tom_Benson]

Heres my 68 Firebird with Autometer ULs and blue LEDs. I might look into a different color however, they can be rough on the eyes for long periods. I have mine wired into the original dash lighting circuit so the dimmer knob is still functional, that helps. This picture was taken a while ago in the middle of interior work, which is still on going. I've been away at college. I'm also looking to hook up an LED to the AC controller. Any more questions let me know.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/P1010183-1.jpg

[Steve1968LS2]

I have glow through type.. Stewart Warner... thier LED system is simple and kicks a$$..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[68Formula]

Heres my 68 Firebird with Autometer ULs and blue LEDs. I might look into a different color however, they can be rough on the eyes for long periods. I have mine wired into the original dash lighting circuit so the dimmer knob is still functional, that helps. This picture was taken a while ago in the middle of interior work, which is still on going. I've been away at college. I'm also looking to hook up an LED to the AC controller. Any more questions let me know.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/P1010183-1.jpg

Interesting setup on the aux gauges. Can we see it in natural light please? Is it custom or who makes this?

[Tom_Benson]

its a quick face plate i made out of particle baord and covered in vinyl for mock up of an aluminum face plate later on. It holds the six gauges and radio. Heres one with the lights on, it looks pretty rough, but its only for mocking up the rest of the console pieces.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/P1010178-1.jpg

Im currently shaping molding to run up the sides to match the camaro console on the floor, so it doesnt look so plain. Designing on the fly.:banghead:

Im diggin those Stewart Warners Steve

[DarkoNova]

Wow, I have Ultra-Lites and I didn't think putting in a new bulb would make that big of a difference. The blue light looks awesome! I really like the way the Ultra-Lites look in the daytime, but they suck big time at night. The Ultra-Lite II's are too expensive (not to mention they don't have the same selection as the standard Ultra-Lites) so I had to go with the perimeter-light style. :(

Matt

[ertoys]

Any pics of the Phantoms or Phantom IIs at night?

[6'9"Witha69]

I have th ULs with Blue LEDS too (well, at least the left side of my dash so far). If you want I could snap a pic to show the diff b/w clear incandescent lights and the blue LEDs.

[whytry]

How did you guys wire in the LED's on the Ultra Lites? Or did you buy the replacement LED bulp from Autometer?

[Mkelcy]

I'm looking for a set of gauges to run in my 68 Firebird and I can't seem to find any really good pics of how they look at night. I've got my heart set on a set of AutoMeter Ultra Lights, specifically with the red LED backlights. But like most of you, if it doesn't look cool at night I DON'T WANT IT! If possible, please post some pics of your illuminated gauges at night and any notes on visibility problems. Thanks guys!

You might want to reconsider the red LEDs if your gauges have red pointers. If you look at the picture posted by Steve68LS2, the pointers are practically invisible, while the pointers with the, for example, blue LEDs stand out pretty well. I had the Phantoms with red pointers and red bulb covers and had a real problem picking up the readings with just a glance. Changed to the green bulb covers and it's like night and day (literally).

[6'9"Witha69]

How did you guys wire in the LED's on the Ultra Lites? Or did you buy the replacement LED bulp from Autometer?
I bought the LED replacements from AM.

[130fe]

I had regular Ultralites and didn't like the perimeter lighting at night. I was considering buying the AUtometer LEDs but when I called their tech, they told me the light wouldn't reflect that well off of the silver face. The new LEDs from autometer would have been about $70. I sold my old gauges for $350 and took that amount added another $100 and bought Ultralite II's from Frank at GPsuperstore. Man what a difference!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2142050900066817753iyGofz)

[Steve1968LS2]

You might want to reconsider the red LEDs if your gauges have red pointers. If you look at the picture posted by Steve68LS2, the pointers are practically invisible, while the pointers with the, for example, blue LEDs stand out pretty well. I had the Phantoms with red pointers and red bulb covers and had a real problem picking up the readings with just a glance. Changed to the green bulb covers and it's like night and day (literally).

They weren't hard to read in real life.. sorta glows...

I like the red cause it's easy on the eyes at night..

[aggressive male]

I don't have pics but I have 2 from Sunpro. an air fuel guage and a tach. They both light up fine at night. Not consistent though, the air fuel guage has real chrome trim while the tach has plastic chrome trim.