R1150GS (2000) clocks really dim...

[Morpheus]

Ok, so in gonna get the obvious out the way - the owner might be 'dim' too lol

but the last few times I've been out on the GS when late in the day it strikes me that the clocks are practically unlit.

there is the suggestion of a light but they are by no means bright or easy to read...

Is this a common thing ? I'm guessing they are lit by either bulb or LED at the back, and they are currently a kind of sickly green.... which I'd love to change ... - I've also seen some after market gauges -- white - which might be an option...

any advice or pointers?


Sarah

 

[albatross]

Ok, so in gonna get the obvious out the way - the owner might be 'dim' too lol

but the last few times I've been out on the GS when late in the day it strikes me that the clocks are practically unlit.

there is the suggestion of a light but they are by no means bright or easy to read...

Is this a common thing ? I'm guessing they are lit by either bulb or LED at the back, and they are currently a kind of sickly green.... which I'd love to change ... - I've also seen some after market gauges -- white - which might be an option...

any advice or pointers?


Sarah

 

[albatross]

Usually it’s bulbs, small and not very powerful.
Better to use bright white LEDs ..I am sure someone here can either supply a few or point you in the right direction which type and where to get them.
Good luck

 

[Morpheus]

I've just been doing some digging and the whole dash panel doesn't look like it's much of a chew to remove so I'll definitely be looking into where to get bulbs ..

though there seems tone some debate as to wattage?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Why do you need illumination in daylight??

Remember that If you are going to ride at night bright bulbs will be a hindrance

Probably best to turn off the lights in the shed or garage where you keep it and guage if they need to be brighter at night???

A bad earth could also be a problem in the instrument loom section
There are communal earth points that corrode and cause mayhem eventually

 

[albatross]

It isn’t very difficult, get the front panel offf, the grey one, gives you access to the remove the bulbs, if I remember right you don’t neeed to remove the clocks…
Unless you want LEDs in the light cluster for oil etc, then you will have to take all apart.
Super bright LEDs T5 White 1-Led Light Bulbs Concave so they say on ADV arider…check it out,different colours available.and yes too bright can be annoying as I found out with a bright blue control light for me additional LED spotlights.

 

[sproggy]

I put red LEDs in mine. They're not incredibly bright (just like the original bulbs) but the speedo is visible and I don't like instrument lighting to be too bright in the dark anyway - it can be distracting. The red colour seems easier on my eyes than white. I haven't done many miles in the dark since but in a dark garage (headlight bulbs disconnected) they're OK.

I read the ADV rider stuff but had trouble finding the concave LEDs that were mentioned. I used these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382429207989?var=651408819580. As stated above they can be fitted without removing the instruments (just) if you remove the screen and grey/silver instrument cover panel.

 

[Morpheus]

Thanks all,

I was out in daylight and came home in the dark, cos ... y'know.

I'll check the earth points and make sure they are good.

I also really like the two colours - especially on the taco which is handy for a reference point on RPM... (wondering if I can do similar with the speed indicator and have blue/red before after 70mph ish ... )

new screen coming on pay day so I'll pop this on the to do list at the same time .