Colin Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Hi folks, Probably many of you good folk have bought, as I did, a replacement green indicator jewel lens - the edges of mine had crumbled away. Pretty much standard from anywhere you buy one. BUT:- I couldn't see the light indicator operating in broad daylight - the depth of colour of the lens was preventing anything the weenie 2.2W bulb might've been showing. I made two moves:- 1) I bought the LED bulb from the Club shop and, more importantly; 2) I removed the jewel lens. Carefully and accurately drilled down the centre length of the threaded rear side, stopping short of the cockpit-visible dome. To a width of about 2.5 mm, which didn't compromise the structural integrity of the lens. Refitted & bingo! The indicator light became very visible. OK, only tested in the garage, but I know from the previous set-up that this permission of light now conducted down the lens barrel will now show up for me even in bright daylight. Just thought I'd share - 'cos it does make a difference to be able to see it (especially if, maybe, your self-cancelling springs are a bit weak etc..). Best, C. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Last time I looked Club Shop bulbs were £10 each! I bought from Ebay, 6 for £10. did all the gauges. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 I went to a haberdashery (?) shop and bought plastic green 'emeralds' these are faceted and have a flat back with a silver backing. Scrape the backing off and superglue it to threaded bit that I had cleaned up and goes into the dash. Works a treat and looks bling-ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 hour ago, ahebron said: I went to a haberdashery (?) shop and bought plastic green 'emeralds' these are faceted and have a flat back with a silver backing. Scrape the backing off and superglue it to threaded bit that I had cleaned up and goes into the dash. Works a treat and looks bling-ish Dont you think though that it should have a chrome surround of some sort like every other instrument and switch? To me it stands out like a sore thumb and Im thinking of making a tin foil backing ring for it or, even more controvertial, changing it for one of these: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 Plenty of choice out there, you can go for the Lucas version with chrome bezel which is very close to the Triumph style: Or the 'outie' style: Or if you want, a really big green dome version: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 Course a tin foil (shiney side) disc would save drilling the dash and might not look too bad🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 And would be cheaper, always a plus point. 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 That settles it, when Im really bored I'll have a go and post pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted July 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 Thanks All. Obviously forgot to put notifications on. Mine? No chrome bezel - just the plastic dome top sits on the dash's wood surface Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted July 31, 2022 Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 Mine on Vitesse is like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 31, 2022 Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 Yes that's original but the light only shines straight out, from quite far in behind, so not the best possible. Even the Lucas version, available in flat or jewelled, throws out more light, and has a nice chrome bezel too. All depends on how original you want to be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 31, 2022 Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 And how much you mind drilling the dash as that type wont fit in the original small hole.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted July 31, 2022 Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 Thank you Colin, that's a neat improvement. I'm going to try it. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 12 hours ago, johny said: And how much you mind drilling the dash as that type wont fit in the original small hole.... It does... the bigger ones don't without widening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 6 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: It does... the bigger ones don't without widening. Are you sure? The original hole is tiny and not round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 That one also looks to be metal? However: to be fair and completely honest, mine are all original fibreboard dashboards with the wooden overdash added, and the hole in those is round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 From memory of when I assembled the Spitfire's dash, the hole is about 10mm. There are chrome-bezel LED holders readily available about that size, usually sold for electronics hobbyist rather than cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 7 minutes ago, NonMember said: From memory of when I assembled the Spitfire's dash, the hole is about 10mm. There are chrome-bezel LED holders readily available about that size, usually sold for electronics hobbyist rather than cars. Those jewel lights are 9.5mm or 3/8. Lucas SPB355 is the part number. You can get LED equivalents that have the same size of face plus bezel but next to nothing in behind, bar cables, so will fit in smaller holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 I thought the Vitesse jewel light hole in the dash wasnt round but slotted the same shape as the rear of the jewel so that its held in place while you do up the back connecting tube? If so then you must have to at least modify the hole a bit to fit any other type of light.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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