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LEDs not working in incandescent sockets

RenfranceRenfrance

I am trying to convert my cmc instrument lighting from incandescent bulbs to leds. I have the leds that are correct for my sockets but they will not light up in the guage. If I take the same led and socket and jump a wire from a battery positive and hook up a negative on the other side of the socket it lights fine. It does the same with the incandescent bulbs when tested but it also lights the incandescent bulbs in the socket once installed in the guage. I know there are non polarity leds and polarity leds. I have tried both in the socket. I have also made sure the led is correctly placed in the twist socket and touching each copper terminal within the socket. I also made sure the two terminals are not shorted.

I am involved again in life’s little mysteries that has bugged me to no end to seek a solution. Any suggestions welcome including calling me a dumbass for trying to convert gauge lighting to leds.

Renfrance

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Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member

It is possible that the LEDs have a “threshold voltage” that they need to trigger them “on”.  If your headlight switch has a dimmer function by turning the knob, try turning it all the way up (clockwise) to see if the LEDs then light.  

@Marty Grzynkowicz converted his gauges to LED bulbs - I wonder which he used?

Last edited by Gordon Nichols
M Marshall

Greetings,

This conversation is very timely as we are trying to convert our instrument lights to LEDs too.  But the incandescent lights currently in our instruments are what my mechanic calls "grain of wheat" lights -- typical LED bases are too large to fit our existing sockets.

Has anyone come across this situation and found LED dash lights with smaller bases?

Thanks in advance,

Marshall

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