Gauge lights

[raf40@oes.amdahl.com (Richard Funnell)]

Q,

A quick note to anyone installing gauges.

I have the old VDO Cockpit gauges that use tiny, 1.2 W "peanut" bulbs.
When connected to the dimmer for the existing instrument lights, they ended
up almost unreadable, and what little light they did throw was white.  I
have since rewired them to the non-dimmed feed for the running lights, and
I used a red permanent marker to color the bulbs to match the existing
lghts.  I tried the VDO red bulb covers ($3,00 each!!), and I got almost no
light through them.  The results with the marker are quite a good match,
especially if the instrument panel is dimmed somewhat which I prefer in any
event.

I also installed the VDO dimmer rings to mount the gauges at an angle (this
is on an ABT gauge panel).  This makes them far easier and to read
accurately.

Richard Funnell,
San Jose, California
'83 urQ
'87 560 SL