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Converting Instrument Lights to LED?

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pete77gg
Posts: 10
Joined: 20 Oct 2012, 11:34
Year and Model: 1991 240DL
Location: NC USA

Post by pete77gg »

Hi all, working on my 1991 Volvo 240DL 4Dr Sedan and hoping you can assist with a 2 part question concerning LED conversion of my instrument cluster illumination lights (the 2 bulbs that light up the clock, speedo, temp & fuel guages from above.

1) Is there a way to convert the existing Flosser 110736 type instrument bulbs https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4827/1 ... pcQAvD_BwEImage

If so, bulb type and brief description of the swap / install would be helpful.

2) If not, anyone remove the stock bulbs and hardwire in LEDs to replace the old bulb types? If so, type, where you bought and description of the install would be much appreciated.

Also side question - is there an easy (non-destructive) way to remove the clear plastic in front of the gauge faces?

Thank you!

Pete

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volvolugnut
Posts: 6502
Joined: 19 Jan 2014, 09:51
Year and Model: 2001 V70
Location: Oklahoma USA
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Post by volvolugnut »

Some thoughts on change to LED instrument lights:
1. Most bare LED's that I have seen are not 12 volt. More like 5 volt. They would need a properly selected resister to drop 12 volts to their needs.
2. LEDs are polarity sensitive. You would need to figure out how to match polarity or the diode (the D in LED), would just go POP and not work again.
3. To make your own from LED and resister, you would need to make it fit in the same space as the old bulb.

Do you want to have a light that last a long, long time or are you wanting to change color of the instrument display? Seems a lot of trouble to me, but should be possible. You may find something in a general google search.

volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
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iaguilera
Posts: 17
Joined: 21 Sep 2021, 09:47
Year and Model: Volvo 91 240
Location: 95076

Post by iaguilera »

I bought these leds from eBay, pried the legs of the oem bulbs from the sockets and soldered these on,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Cluster-Sp ... 632-2357-0 they work great, and NOT hard to do.

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