BA9S Base LED Bulb

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, 201411 yr by Zed Head