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1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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First things first. I got the idea seeing OKGMC4 do something simular to his 56 truck.
This is basically a way to retro fit a 24 bulb LED panel into a stock dome light for less then $10... I started by removing the housing that holds the bulb. I simply knock it out with a hammer. The thinking was to be able to reuse if need be. Then I lightly ground down the edges of the LED panel to better if into the opening of the dome light housing. Next I used some strip calk at each end to support/hold the LED panel to the housing. This is important because you would not want the back of the board to touch metal. Then I soldered some ends on the wires. I will ground the LED panel to the cab once the dome light is screwed to the cab.... Here is an Ebay listing for the panel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/180732629773...84.m1423.l2649 Onto the pics |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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More pics
Sorry no pics of the panel lit up as I still need to add some wiring and door switches. Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Thanks for that bit, I just ordered one. That is one thing that I had on my list to figure out.
I used many of a package of that strip calk to hold front end alignment shims in place over the years I did front end alignment work daily. It's great for sealing off holes where wires or other things go through too when you have everything in place and still get a small air leak. |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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This was on my to do list too...along with the rest of my interior... ha ha It worked good for me bacause I was able to pick up the original dome light housing off Ebay for cheap because it was missing the wiring stuff. I knew that I would convert it to LED so it was an economical solution. You aren't kidding, I originally bought strip calk to go between the fenders and the body to keep from using fender welding. Since then, I have found more and more uses for it. BWT....the shipping was surprisingly fast considering that the LED panel is coming from oversees. Good luck Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Great, but!!!!! I was looking at the comments on e-bay and one of them was something like 12V only - don't connect across a battery (14V). Will you need to provide some type voltage drop to protect this thing?
I still like it. Clay |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Great tip!!
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Looks great ! .
I see you grounded the Positive lead , is this in a GMC ? . |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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To be honest, I had no reference point as I didn't have any of the stock wiring left. This is for a Chevy. I was under the imperssion that the houseing grounds to the cab (this is where I would tie in my LED ground). Then there would be one power feed coming into one side of the dome light switch. On the other post I would be a power feed to the LED panel. Does that make sense? I knew that I would have to play with it some to figure it out. I also need to wire in door switches and a few more interior lights. Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
I think I'm just going to wire the dome light and under dash lights (that will probably be white LED side marker lights) to a toggle switch on or under the dash. Ground the lights, run a single wire to each from the switch and done.
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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I can't wait to see how well this works out . |
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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I will test this out prior to hooking power to the LED panel. It will be a little before I'm ready to install because I want to tie in door switches as well as 1-2 more lights under the dash. I'm not into it for much...so it's no big deal. Thanks Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
DUH ! time for new glasses I guess .
Sorry . I hope you can take a pic of how well it illuminates the cab in the dark once it's in place . |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Cool, I'm looking forward to doing the same sort of LED retro at some point in the future as well.
I've done them in a few cars in the past and the pure white light it gives off is incredibly bright and looks excellent. Looking forward to seeing some pics of it on. |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
I had to pick up some wire today. If I get some garage time this weekend I will see if I can get some pics with it all lit up..
Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
Thanks for sharing!
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
That looks great! The strip caulk never occured to me, and I used it as rear fender seals on mine. The switches are easy to hook up and mine lit up BRIGHT. I just cant get it show well with my digital camera. Awesome work.
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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Originally, I was going to use your plastic fastern idea, but the cup of the dome light housing is tappered and I could not drill into straight to fasten to the LED board. I was trying to come up with something. I had the calk laying around and it came to me. It is a strong bond and I'm not too concerned if it letting go. I will try to put power to it this weekend. Thanks for the idea... Marc |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
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OK, well since there seemed to be quite a bit of interest around how bright these lights are I decided to hook up some power to the panel.
I'm not sure that the pics do the brightness justice. Please note that I had the garage completly dark and I did not use a flash on the camera. It is almost too bright. Originally, I was going to also add some other courtesy lights under the dash. After seeing how bright the dome light is, there is no reason to add any more. Here are the pics...... |
Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
That is bright but my old eyes can use that brightness.
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
perfect backup lights??
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Re: 1947-53 LED dome light retro fit
youngrodder
wow thats terrific ! caint wait ta get mine up and lit great picts - thanks alot . |
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Glad "one" of my little side projects was helpful to others. Good luck with your install, it's pretty straightfoward. I will be interested to see if you are also suprised at how much light the LED panel puts out. Marc |
Re : Interior Lights
That's really nice ! .
You may discover you'll still want some under dash lights as your shoulders will block a lot of that good light . |
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