Clock

[Nige65]

Evening all

 I now have a working centre console clock that my good friend repaired for me, I would like to fit the bulbs that illuminate it when the lights are turned on, could anyone on here point me in the right direction regarding the bulbs and holders that are required for this, I’m assuming that I will have to connect them to the lighting circuit somewhere in the loom.

Thanks in advance 👍

[Vista Estate]

I managed to get some that worked from classic cars leds.

Duncan is a great guy.

Send him an email 

sales@classiccarleds.co.uk.

This is what I ordered.

[Rally Pack 2000]

There is a separate clock loom that you see for sale from time to time. One guy here had some NOS ones, i will see if he still has any.

[Nige65]

As per any old car, the wiring is a bit messy with modifications, I even have a starter button where the manual choke would locate, my thinking was to connect to a permanent live which I think would be connected to the cigarette lighter, the only wiring diagram that I have is in the Haynes manual which I find really difficult to read as it is so small, I've tried taking a photo with my mobile and zooming in but that only takes a small section of the schematic.

@Vista Estate Do the LED's fit without modifications?

@Rally Pack 2000 Thanks, I will await more info.

[katana]

If you do use LED's then i'd be inclined (for simplicity) to use the clock power for the illumination - yes it'd be 'on' all the time but power draw should be no greater than the clock or a radio 'stay alive memory' circuit. Don't try this with normal incandescent bulbs - easy way to flat battery!

[Vista Estate]

11 hours ago, Nige65 said:

As per any old car, the wiring is a bit messy with modifications, I even have a starter button where the manual choke would locate, my thinking was to connect to a permanent live which I think would be connected to the cigarette lighter, the only wiring diagram that I have is in the Haynes manual which I find really difficult to read as it is so small, I've tried taking a photo with my mobile and zooming in but that only takes a small section of the schematic.

@Vista Estate Do the LED's fit without modifications?

@Rally Pack 2000 Thanks, I will await more info.

They fit no problem without any mods and the holders just push in. Simples!

[Vista Estate]

10 hours ago, katana said:

If you do use LED's then i'd be inclined (for simplicity) to use the clock power for the illumination - yes it'd be 'on' all the time but power draw should be no greater than the clock or a radio 'stay alive memory' circuit. Don't try this with normal incandescent bulbs - easy way to flat battery!

I took a feed from the light switch given the current draw and its not too far a link.

[Vista Estate]

1 minute ago, Vista Estate said:

They fit no problem without any mods and the holders just push in. Simples!

Check out the specs on the classic car led website and you can see how the holders fit.

[Nige65]

On 09/10/2023 at 19:44, Vista Estate said:

Check out the specs on the classic car led website and you can see how the holders fit.

I got a quick response from Duncan at Classiccarleds so will go down the LED route, what would be the best lighting, white or warm white and how many dashboard illumination lights are there not including the indicators, high beam, etc (I haven't had time to remove the dash cluster yet)?

[katana]

I used Green LEDs for my dash and clock illumination - nice green glow is easy on the eyes, mainly as the RS models came with a blue translucent shroud over the incandescent bulbs (yellow + blue = green). The LEDs give a better quantity of light but not so bright to be a distraction IMO. Don't forget the Ign. / Alternator light cannot be a LED - it will not work, must be a std. incandescent type. Everything else if the warning lens is coloured I used a bright white or a colour LED as the lens colour ie green with green, Blue with blue.

[Nige65]

I will only be changing the clocks/gauges illumination lights as these are very dim when dark, the rest (battery, indicators, high beam, etc) are fine.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated 👍

[Vista Estate]

I went for white as it makes things really clear.

He's a great guy is Duncan and its quality gear. 

Important point raised by @katana on the ignition light. An alternator needs the current flow to the light to kick start it. So an Led doesn't have enough current to do the job. As for the indicators you need a replacement flasher unit, so if yours is dodgy then go for that. I would change the high beam for a blue led its much better. Since you are removing the clocks you may as well sort for good. 

On another point, the bulb holders earth through the brass spring so check they all are nice and tight.

Finally the LEDs have to be put in the correct way and are not reversible so check before you put everything back together. It's a pain.

I've attached a picture of the back of the 6 clock dash and simple wiring diagram so you can see where the bulbs are. 😊

Your red ignition and green indicator may be the other way round  ive seen some that are like that. Ford on Friday 🤣

Edited October 11, 2023 by Vista Estate
Spelling

[Nige65]

9 hours ago, Vista Estate said:

I went for white as it makes things really clear.

He's a great guy is Duncan and its quality gear. 

Important point raised by @katana on the ignition light. An alternator needs the current flow to the light to kick start it. So an Led doesn't have enough current to do the job. As for the indicators you need a replacement flasher unit, so if yours is dodgy then go for that. I would change the high beam for a blue led its much better. Since you are removing the clocks you may as well sort for good. 

On another point, the bulb holders earth through the brass spring so check they all are nice and tight.

Finally the LEDs have to be put in the correct way and are not reversible so check before you put everything back together. It's a pain.

I've attached a picture of the back of the 6 clock dash and simple wiring diagram so you can see where the bulbs are. 😊

Your red ignition and green indicator may be the other way round  ive seen some that are like that. Ford on Friday 🤣

Thanks for all the information supplied, it's been a great help and I'm sure that other forum users will benefit in the future, I have now ordered the bulbs required and look forward to stripping the dash and tinkering 👍

[Vista Estate]

26 minutes ago, Nige65 said:

Thanks for all the information supplied, it's been a great help and I'm sure that other forum users will benefit in the future, I have now ordered the bulbs required and look forward to stripping the dash and tinkering 👍

You're very welcome.

If any of the bulb holders are  dodgy you can get good replacements from Autosparks - see pictures.

You have to do an earth wire to a screw on the clocks as they don't have the brass clip but they are an easy job.