Autometer vs Smith Gages

[427sharpe]

[quote=patrickt;950603]They're a little different...

Yeah...they WORK!

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

The backlighting (on the Smiths) sucks compared to the AMs...

Agreed. There are a couple ways to fix this:

I changed all of my bulbs from the LL194 (2.75 watts) to the LL168 which is the same style but about 3.5 watts. You wouldn't think that would matter much but it does make a noticable difference.

Another option is to check out Holden at www.holden.co.uk. Part number is LLB501 for the 5 watt bulb. It replaces a 2 watt original bulb (LLB297).

The tach light bulb is an oddity that I can find no bigger wattage replacement for, anywhere. So I just live with the one that came with the gauge.

One final option has to do with the dimmer switch. I haven't performed this (yet), but I read elsewhere that many only get a reading of 9.75-10.5 volts at this point. So some folks just jump pins 1 & 2 with a short wire soldered into place (pins 1 and 2 are the top left sided most posts of the wiring harness connector to the dimmer board). This of course defeats use of the dimmer but it is mostly of no use to most people anyway. Jumping the pins should get you a full 12.5 voltes and should produce an improvement in instrument light brightness, not huge but helpful.

-Dean SPF #747

[mickmate]

The dim guages were made for guys like me. I like the low guage lighting level or I feel my night vision is compromised. Do you guys know what model Autometers fit the 100 mm or 4" holes in a Cobra dash?

[mickmate]

Found them they're the Cobra Autometer http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Agreed. There are a couple ways to fix this:
I changed all of my bulbs from the LL194 (2.75 watts) to the LL168 which is the same style but about 3.5 watts. You wouldn't think that would matter much but it does make a noticable difference.

This is good stuff, thanks for posting your findings, I wwas going bulb shopping but this makes it SO much easier.

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

The tach light bulb is an oddity that I can find no bigger wattage replacement for, anywhere. So I just live with the one that came with the gauge.-Dean SPF #747

Could we drill a hole in the housing and wire in a second bulb?