Speedo / Tach / Gauges: intrrument lights

[maximus7001]

The 50 Champion owners manual page 11 says: "The instruments are lighted with non-glare black light."

Is this true?

In the back of the manual it states: instruments and trunk use a 6 to 8 volt Mazda No. 55 1 1/2 candle power bulbs.

Which of these are correct?

I have already noticed the glow in the dark feature. There is no current illumination of the instruments.

[StudeRich]

Both are correct, the standard 6 Volt # 55 Bulbs shine through Purple Ultra Violet Lenses to light green luminous markings.
With a Search here, you will find MANY, many Posts here all about this Instrument Lighting used by Studebaker 1947 to 1952, Ford, Mercury and Lincoln.

Replace your Bulbs.

[bezhawk]

Yes, both are true. Clear bulbs with ultra-violet glass filters over them on the instruments. the bulbs are situated behind the filters and shine through them....supposedly. Years of dust and dirt make those filters nearly opaque. Also, the luminescent paint on the instrument faces lose the ability to glow after a few years. You can buy cheap UV flashlights at Harbor Freight, and shine it on your gauges to see how they are supposed to look. Thenyou get the idea. Throw away the original lighting system, and replace them with pure UV emitting LEDs and never look back.

[Jeffry Cassel]

Really cool idea when new, but mostly don't work now. Has anyone tried using 'Superbright' LED light bulbs?

[StudeRich]

Yes they have, here is the result:


Sorry I don't know the details, this came from a Forum Post here.

[Jeffry Cassel]

That is way Cool!

[Hugh]

Hello, Maximus!
This could get lengthy, but here goes. First of all the original light bulbs are basic incandescent bulbs, either 6 or 12 volt depending on year and model.
All of the ultraviolet type instruments, meaning they “reflect” the exposure to ultraviolet light spectrum generated by any source. In the case of our Studes this ultraviolet light is normally generated by the bulbs that are simply enclosed in the glass globes that are very dark to the naked eye to look at even unlighted. I can’t speak technically what happens over time, but the amount of uv light that can pass through these lenses or filters diminishes or is simply reduced over time, don’t aslk me why but it definitely DOES happen.
To correct this and restore the reflected uv appearance you must supply a new uv source.
the picture Rich Shows is what I did to my 51 Commander. I first of all removed the instruments from the dash and disassembled the instruments to get the lenses off. I used 12 volt LED ultraviolet SMD (Surface Mounted Diodes) that I found on the internet. They are quite small approx 1/4” in size with quite long leads. Next I purchased a 6 volt to 12 volt transformer. I powered the transformer from one of the instrument light terminals so the transformer will only come on to power the LED lights when the headlights or parking lights are turned on thus powering the inst lights.
I do not have the part numbers handy but could research if desired. I placed 4 diodes in each instrument housing and hot glued in place. I have quite a few pics can download for you if needed. Sorry this so long. Let me know if I have muddied this to the point of incomprehension.