Correction to led info, the led is rated for a 3.8, not a 1.8 forward
voltage, and the resistor I used was a 520 ohm. In the dash this gives
a less than max brightness based on the 10V dash power, but on 12.65
-13.8 volts it would be close to perfect.

Alistair

Original message:

Hi,

after a long hiatus and a couple of false starts I succeeded in
installing a new bright white led in the dash. It works quite well, a
much cleaner white, the incandescent installed in the tach looks very
yellow in comparison. The white led picks out the white on the speedo
very well.  I think this led is a winner, much better than what I have
used before.

the led I used is an "ultra-bright white led" from  jameco electronics.
Cat # 320531CH ($1.09). 5mm dia, 5,500 mcd, 7,500 K colour temp.

the resistor is a 470 ohm. I used a resistor I had left over from the
old expts, value based on led forward voltage of 1.8, source voltage of
10 V, and current of 20 mA.

  I didn't do anything tricky, as in grinding lens or adding reflector.
The led is bright enough to provide light even though it shines out of
end in a narrowish beam, which in the vanagon light holder does not
shine directly on the dash, but rather reflects off the white plastic
holder assembly.

Will see about getting pics to put on my website.

Alistair

'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/