BA9S Base LED Bulb

[Zed Head]

I was in a hobby shop looking for Lionel train bulbs with the same base as the Z car gauge bulbs (BA9S) when I saw an LED display (display of bulbs). I ended up buying a package and building an LED gauge bulb. Unfortunately, LEDs have a very directional output and the gauges are designed for the all-around glow of an incandescent bulb, so the brightness did not make its way to where it needed to be when installed in a gauge. It was still fun though and I can see why people get hooked on LEDs once they try a few.

I couldn't get a good illumination picture in a spare tachometer I have. Too much glare off the face of the gauge. I did find that the LED turned a turn signal indicator blue over the stock green. The turn signals are straight-on so the LEDs could be used there. Next time I have to pull it out.

The last picture is a stock Nissan bulb compared to a low brightness LED assembly (brightness depends on the resistor used).

Overall, the LEDs seem pretty robust and easy to handle. Lots of potential.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Zed Head