I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas about making the lighting in the instruments any brighter ?, higher wattage globes, different types of globes etc,etc...btw I have the old style centre pod.

Thanks Gerg

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May the fork be with you.

Replacing all the bulbs with new, and cleaning all the fusebox and switch connectors is a good start.
If you have an alternator, they put out a little more voltage than the old generator- every little bit helps.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The colour in the plastic lenses fades in time and they dont show the colours as well. I'm looking into using coloured LEDs to enhance these. New globes may also help

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

There is a place in adelaide... blackwood
Classic and vintage bulbs.
they do brighter bulbs and some led conversions i believe

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Miniworx Centre 0883741299
Sooperdooperminicooperexpertengineering
Online BMW Mini Shop

Thanks guys,
I was thinking of using those leds as some sort of extra lighting but I will try the Doc's advice first....

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May the fork be with you.

LEDs sound like they are the way to go....all you would have to do is try a few positions fore and aft to get the amount of illumination just right

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"Show me the Mini!"

I am currently developing LEDs to replace the bulb in the end of Mk1 blinker arms. It should be possible to modify existing instrumentation bulbs to incorporate LEDs as well. Try carefully removing the glass envelope from the bulb, then you should be able to solder a LED and its limiting resistor (1KR) inside the screwbase of the bulb. Use a hot glue gun to insulate the bare wires and hold it in place. LEDs come in a range of colours and intensity that should suit this application.

Another solution is subminature bulbs from Dick Smiths - 1.5 volt (will need a dropping resistor but so do LEDs) 3mm diameter available in a variety of colours with all the colours used in the warning lights covered - 0.98 each

edit - they have a 12v version P8130 - with colour coded leads

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

The Cooper's indicator stalk lamp was cactus so I improvised using the end off a Clubman stalk, fitting a subminature bulb (12V capable from model train) and a screw in lamp cap. Works admirably and is bright enough and cheap enough, around $2.50 all up.

I think I might take a trip down to Dick Smiths tomorrow and check out leds, I do need better illumination for my poor old eyes.......

Thanks for the tips all.

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May the fork be with you.

Neat job there 64

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"Show me the Mini!"

anyone have an idea on the original bulbs, were they only 4w

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I did an LED conversion on one of the Mokes using 'superbright' LEDs. I didn't use any coloured ones, just used the stock coloured lenses for the indicator lamps. A bit fiddly but well worthwhile.

The 'superbright' LEDs I use were 40 000MCD in brightness. Not cheap, but I'll never have to go back to them.

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