Rebuilt my Escort's clocks.

[GJUK]

 

I hope you like what I've done.

 

The chrome was well worn and the paint was horrible so I took it to bits, sanded it down, made it good and spray painted it with stone chip (as I wanted the wrinkle effect) and then a quick coat of lacquer.

 

While doing this I upgraded the bulbs to LED's bought from here:

 

These for the back lights (6 of)

 

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501194t10-si ... -1674.html

 

and these for the indicators/warning light (coloured on the dials with a red and yellow film) (so you buy white bulbs, not advertised on the site but just email them)

 

The only thing is, I can't work out how to test the bulbs are all working in the unit.

 

Can anyone help me with this, can I test the 'display' out of the car in any way? I've tried linking one of the LED's up to a battery but the voltage is obviously wrong as nothing happens.

 

Thanks!

 

Jon

[rallyesport04]

leds only work one way you may have got the positive an neg wrong???

[GJUK]

leds only work one way you may have got the positive an neg wrong???

 

Really? Didnt know that

 

Main article: Electrical polarity of LEDs

 

As with all diodes, current flows easily from p-type to n-type material.[59] However, no current flows and no light is produced if a small voltage is applied in the reverse direction. If the reverse voltage becomes large enough to exceed the breakdown voltage, a large current flows and the LED may be damaged. If the reverse current is sufficiently limited to avoid damage, the reverse-conducting LED is a useful noise diode.

 

You appear to be correct.

 

The LED's have no + or - signs on them. and neither does the 'bulb holder' in the dash...

 

Errrrrr. Help!

 

Thanks

[Tom]

one of the contacts on the LED should have been longer than the other and that denotes pos, neg

[caprinerd]

one of the contacts on the LED should have been longer than the other and that denotes pos, neg

REALLY!!

well you live and learn i must have been lucky to get mine in the right way first time, cheers for the info though mental note taken for future upgrades

[over_head_cam]

 

You should be able to follow the pos and neg around the lighting loom with a circuit tester

[GJUK]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

I'm sorry to say that all the contacts on the LED's are the same length.

 

[petrolhead]

The fellas are right one is usually longer than the other and that denotes +. If they are the same length you can test them with a 9V battery by pressing the contacts against the LED. If it doesn't work swap it around and it should light up, then tag the positive contect with a bit of red electrical tape..

 

Point to note 9 or 12V can 'blow' LEDs so check you have suitable ones by looking at the spec.

 

Pub quiz info: LED stands for light emitting diode, a diode is a one way valve for electricity which is why they don't work when connected the wrong way round.

[GJUK]

Jesus H Christ.

 

I thought this would be a matter of swapping the bulbs!!!

 

*cries*

[bortaf]

Have you got just the LEDs (come with long and short leg for placing in a board) or actuall replacemnet bulbs?

that link is to a 501 replacemnet bulb? if thats what you have just turn it around in the holder

Did mine on me Mk3 and some didnt work so i just turned em round, non blew and not blown on yet out of 5 dashes ive upgraded

though i might have just been lucky but theres allways a few that go in the wronge way round cos as you say they aint marked

[GJUK]

Is there any way of me testing this 'out of the car please'.

 

My car's in bits at the moment and I'd like everything ready for when its going back together, so it can all just be installed.

 

Can I connect a batter to the main dash loom connector, in some way, to provide the batteries power, then i can see the ones which are in the right way.

 

All this help's been great so far.

 

Thanks to all

 

Jon

[bortaf]

If you have a battery handy yes just live and negative to the dash, neg/earth will be brown and sidelights are possably grey/yellow (no escort expert here just going buy the Mk2 RS2000 dash i have in one of me cortinas) anyone know for deffo what the sidelight feed colour is in a Mk1 ??????

They should be traceable on the back of the dash from the bulb holes to the multiplug ?

[GJUK]

If you have a battery handy yes just live and negative to the dash, neg/earth will be brown and sidelights are possably grey/yellow (no escort expert here just going buy the Mk2 RS2000 dash i have in one of me cortinas) anyone know for deffo what the sidelight feed colour is in a Mk1 ??????

They should be traceable on the back of the dash from the bulb holes to the multiplug ?

 

Very helpful thank you.

 

I've manager to find that the yellow wire is the one connecting all the 'back lights'. The brown was the negative. Cheers mate

 

Now then, on to the warning and indicaror light.

 

these, unlike the others have two wires going from them and are not grounded to the metal casing of the speedo.

 

Obviously they both work, but which way in should they be?

 

One has a a cable:

 

Black with Green stripe + Black with White stripe

 

Another has

 

Black with Yellow stripe + Blue

 

Which one of these are Negative and Which are Possitive please?

 

I can take a photo if required!

 

Thanks chaps.

 

Jon

[bortaf]

Sorry chap gonna have to pass on that one, really not a Mk1 expert and id be guessing and guessing can make things go boom fizzle crackly plop

Sure somone else who knows will pop along soon

[rallyesport04]

black/yel stripe=neg blue=pos i think is that for the charge light???

[wetandwindy3]

looks nice what you've done to the clocks