Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] dash lights

OK- cluster is like W124 chassis which I've upgraded 3 different ways in different 300s I've owned. All are pretty simple, just time consuming. All require pulling the cluster - it comes straight out, no screws just a pressure fit. There are special tools (cheap) for that, that I bought online, but any thin tool that allows you to slip it along the side to hook the back edge and pull it out will work.

1.The stockest (not sure if that's a word) way was just to pull the cluster out and apart replace all the bulbs (new) and the brightness/dimmer switch (rheostat - found used on eBay) and clean the glass real well from both sides (requres a bit of patience). That brought it back to original brightness - not bad.

2. Found a kit online (maybe eBay, not sure) that came with LED lights & wires with instructions. Required soldering, so I had my local indie do that job while the cluster was out to repair the odometer.

3. Similar to #1, but I got some brighter (but hotter) bulbs for the top 2 bulbs and cut out the plastic area right above the bulbs (using a dremel tool) and replaced it with some heavy duty silver (reflective) tape to mitigate the heat and direct more of the light into the cluster.

All 3 techniques were an improvement; #3 seemed the brightest. A working rheostat is a must in all cases.

From: Randy mclain <mclainrandy@yahoo.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:54 AM
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] dash lights

1985 300SD

--- On Fri, 9/16/11, Joe ONeill <mnijfo@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Joe ONeill <mnijfo@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] dash lights
To: "diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Friday, September 16, 2011, 7:46 PM

What type of car are you asking about? Answer will depend.

Anyone had any luck replacing the instrument cluster lights with some brighter LED lights or something similar?I have a dim cluster and would love to brighten it, possibly in blue or amber?RandyMinneapolis