Can you use 168's instead of 194's for instrument panel?

Discussion in 'Technical' started by gdemopesq, Oct 22, 2008.

  1. gdemopesq

    gdemopesq MOTOR CITY MAV

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    Will 194's fit in the instrument cluster instead of 168's? I can get those brighter.

    Let me know. Thanks
     
    gdemopesq, Oct 22, 2008
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  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    Can you use 168's instead of 194's for instrument panel?


    :hmmm:..does this have anything to do with...today being yesterdays tomorrow...:huh:
     
    71gold, Oct 22, 2008
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  3. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    I have the W5W bulbs in mine, made it a lot brighter. You can use any bulb that will fit in the socket..
     
    Jamie Miles, Oct 23, 2008
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  4. spork1o1

    spork1o1 Member

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    Yes you can. Do you need some? Ive got about 80 of them left.
     
    spork1o1, Oct 23, 2008
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  5. YellowStangDuan

    YellowStangDuan Member

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    The difference between the 168/194 is candle power, I forget which is brighter (probably the 194) and I sure can't remember where the paper is that has the specs anymore. What is a w5w bulb? I need to change mine, and my 97 F150 needs a few bulbs too.
     
    YellowStangDuan, Oct 23, 2008
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  6. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    GE W5W 2825 bulbs...they are 5W...194s are 3W...

    ...:yup:...
     
    71gold, Oct 23, 2008
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  7. mbg1973

    mbg1973 Member

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    has anyone tried LED's
     
    mbg1973, Oct 23, 2008
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  8. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    The experience I have with LED's is their pretty directional...it will take a few LED's pointing in different directions to have light behind the gauges
     
    rthomas771, Oct 24, 2008
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  9. spork1o1

    spork1o1 Member

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    194 is the stock bulb

    194 at 14volt / 0.27amp / 2 candlepower
    168 at 14volt / 0.35amp / 3 candlepower
    w5w at 14volts / 0.42amp / 4 candlepower
     
    spork1o1, Oct 24, 2008
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  10. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

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    Now I currently have no questions... (y)
     
    blugene, Oct 24, 2008
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  11. elchinelo72

    elchinelo72 Member

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    led's

    not all led's are directional,Ill post some pictures later.:yup:
     
    elchinelo72, Oct 24, 2008
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  12. Dan Starnes

    Dan Starnes Original owner

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    But will the cw power in other bulbs cause failure in the circuitry? The fragility of those components at this age of them is becoming evident. My Stallion still has the original dash bulbs, and so does my 77 4 door. Just dont want to end a working situation.
    Dan
     
    Dan Starnes, Oct 24, 2008
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  13. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    I have had the W5W bulbs in my '72 daily driver for 2 1/2 years now, over 45,000 miles with no issues.. I have them in the three "back light" sockets in the instrument cluster, and in the side marker lights. This car is driven at night/early hours of the morning the majority of the time. With the 194's in it, it was hard to tell how fast I was going, and I had to squint and look real hard to see how much gas I had at night. I painted the back green plastic part of the gauge cluster white on the inside (a lot of the later cars are white to begin with) and installed the W5W bulbs, and it is way brighter, no problems seeing the gas gauge at all now.
     
    Jamie Miles, Oct 24, 2008
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  14. Dan Starnes

    Dan Starnes Original owner

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    Thanks Jamie,, that is proven reliability. Anytime you add more amperage, which is candle power you compromise a circuitry. I have no problem seeing my Stallions dash, but my 77 is harder to see for some reason. Increased candle power is in its future.
    Dan
     
    Dan Starnes, Oct 24, 2008
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  15. gdemopesq

    gdemopesq MOTOR CITY MAV

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    2825's are the ticket

    They dont sell W5W at the auto parts stores around here. But the 2825's are 5 watt and they sell them here.

    THEY WORK GREAT. I cant believe how I can now read the dash at night.

    Thanks
     
    gdemopesq, Oct 27, 2008
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