Main Beam Blue LED

[DerekH]

Does anyone have a smart solution to the blinding blue LED on the rev counter for main beam indication?  I'd rather not put a piece of tape on the glass if possible.  I have a 2019 270S.

I don't expect to drive much at night but the return trip from on the Fish & Chip run from Chepstow to Olney was impeded by not really being able to use the main beam and the glow worms not really working well. Some lighting improvement is on the upgrade list!

Thanks in advance

DerekH

[Jonathan Kay]

You're not alone. There's a fair bit of previous discussion, but I can't remember a brilliant (!) solution. We may have found a lower power LED for the lamp on earlier Sevens, but on yours you might have to get inside the instrument...

I'll have a look, but that tape sounds pragmatic.

Jonathan

PS: The Stiletto, and presumably other Imps, had eyelids on the dash lamps.

[Jonathan Kay]

This is from 2017, and might be the best single thread for the current (!) style:
Dash Illumination too bright

How about asking Caerbont?

Jonathan

[David White]

I know it's not what you want, but a bit of black electrical tape, a hole punch and less than 5 minutes does the trick.  The total eclipse works a treat and the corona remains more than bright enough.  Top tip - make sure you're in your normal seated position when sticking it on.

 

[GulfSeven]

Yep, upgrade to LED headlights and put a sticky dot over the blue light on the dash. Mine looks just like David's above (although I used a white sticky dot to match the markings on the dial).

While you're there, put a second sticky dot over the annoying indicator beeper 

I've no idea why Caterham thought the tell-tale light on the dash should be brighter than the headlights themselves 

[Andrew 21 Edney]

Had the same issue with the 21, black electrical tape was my solution back then, though not as neatly done as the hole-punch. Of course, it was a separate light, but still tricky to get to. Not sure if any 21 owners found a better approach.

[Phillip Meyer]

Same issue with almost all the lights on the dash on the 620, they are blindingly bright at night. I was planning to carry a pack of postit notes in the back so I could cover them if driving at night.

[Jonathan Kay]

If the 21's warning light unit was similar to that on my 1998 S3 the options would include a dimming widget, a lower powered incandescant lamp, a replacement LED, or putting a filter inside the unit.

Jonathan

[K7 VCT]

Tape and hole punch method used

[cobar]

These are designed expressly for this purpose on electronic devices.  Sticks on and dims the LED without completely blocking it:  LightDims

-John

 

 

[DerekH]

Thanks John,

I've ordered some of those, be useful on a few other things too.

Regards

DerekH

[ChrisC]

The LED dimmers are what CC used on their press cars, but they have since redesigned the Tacho warning lights to a more traditional illuminated symbol which also solves the problem. 

[ian.pursglove]

I use the small round sticker approach myself, although it is still quite bright.

[jackb_ms]

I've added a resistor in series with the light on my car.

Can't remember the value.

Jack