Alfa Pages

JeremyC · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject: Seeing the speed at night

As with our previous 33 it's impossible to read the speedometer at night.

The dial is illuminated just fine but none of the light falls on the needle and you just can't see it.

I may paint the needle white but has anyone else come up with any 'bright' solutions.

Will the speedo from any later cars with illuminated needles fit?

Cheers

Jeremy
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

lee16v · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

I guess painting the needle white will help alot. Never heard of anyone changing the speedo for a different make though. It would involve some clever electrical connections.

General rule for speed at night is look for the blue flashing lights.........If you can see some you're going too fast Laughing

JeremyC · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

I was thinking about a later (or earlier) Alfa that might be directly swapable.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

i saw a post ages ago where someone did exactly what you are after. He replaced the needles for plastic clear ones that had an orange glow when dash lights were on. Which i could find it as it was a good mod.
I just fitted white dials, still a work in progress as i get hot spots, dont suppose you would be interested in that would you, i does help loads.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

Hi,
before you start modifying the dial gauges i'd strongly suggest you replace ALL of the small light bulbs that are suppose to illuminate the dials.
Over time the tungsten from the filament vapourizes and the powder coats the inside of the bulb, reducing drastically the amount of light passing through. Result? Not enough light, dark dash and invisible needles.
This is normal bulb wear, after 15 or so years they all need replacement. You can convince yourself by replacing the bulb behind the clock (same bulb), this is a 30 seconds job. Look at the difference before/after : it's like night and day.
Oh and this is not an expensive fix, i use to buy my bulbs from a citroën dealer, they are the same bulbs found on ZX and the likes, cost is 7 euros for a box of ten.
regards,
zp

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

If you do that, get led's, like i have done, but get green ones.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Oggie · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

I replaced the six illumination bulbs on my dash with led white light, I had to mod (solder) 2 leds and resistors to each bulb holders and the dash is really bright, I gave Paul H my last lot of these bulbs so if he can get b/band and post some pictures. Idea

of them that would be champion. If you are after some of these I could make some up but i need a bit of time and moola for the bits!. You do have to remove the green shroud and angle the tallest led to give a more even spread of light. I would also try not to remove the needles as they never give an accurate reading when they are put back in my experience.
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PHAT 33

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

hey oggie, that hastle is not needed anymore, see my old post on this
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5095&highlight=led

led link
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/t5-286-push-fit-dash-board-led-c-733-p-1-pr-16769.html
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Oggie · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

Al one single led will only illuminate out the top and the spread of light is generally poor for the area however using 2 leds on each single bulb holder and angle the longest led at 25 degrees will illuminate a larger area. I firstly tried one led and it was no better than the original bulb that's why I recommend using 2!.
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PHAT 33

JeremyC · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your input.

Any ideas for a reference number for those bulbs?
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

oggie, i know what you mean, thats why i suggested he use green leds and leave the filters in place. I ordered white led's and with the filters in place gave a blue light?? I took off the filters but i do suffer from hot spots, but the light is bright and just need some opaque backing for my white dials to stick to. My filters are blue?? but with normal bulbs the light is green, so if normal dials are being used all should be sweet.

Jeremy if you wanted standard bulds then they are here
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/dashboard-amp-panel-bulbs-12v-c-588.html
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

Hi, the simplest solution is to replace bulbs. Fitting LEDs is a time-consuming job and new bulbs will last another 15 years...
regards,
zp

paulhide · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

Hi ZeNiTh, I don't suppose you know anything about a series 3 green sportwagon in the vicinity of 'Marly Le Roi', which I saw the other day?
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

Hi,

actually yes i know of a green 16V SW in this vincinity. There are a few 33s around here, the other day i even saw in the northern suburbs a grey series 3 from Bulgaria.
Do you happen to be near Paris right now? If yes i'll gladly meet you

regards,
zp

paulhide · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Sorry not there now, but would have been good to meet up. Didn't think about it, damn!
We were just doing the tourist thing - a client of mine let us stay in their place for a week whilst they holidayed in Italy with their Alfa Spider.
Marly-Le-Roi is a nice area.

By the way, I agree with you about the console bulbs.
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

JeremyC · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

I was thinking about this (dash lighting not French Alfas) as I was driving along the other day, groping for the speed.

Out car has only done 35k, not much of it at night I suspect. The gauge dial lighting is more than adequate and in the absence of a dimmer I'd not want it much brighter.

Is there not a fundamental flaw in trying to light an orange needle with green light?
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

Oggie · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

Oi hidie boy, thats the last time I give you my leds!! Laughing

.
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PHAT 33

paulhide · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

No Iain, your LEDs are great - putting two together seems to work well, Very Happy

I'm just talking about a couple of my other car's lights seeming dim and now I understand why. Idea

The shame of it is that only two of the LEDs you gave me worked (all the right way round) so my speedo is white and my rev counter is green.
How much do you want for some more?
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188