Would like to replace Rancho gauge bulbs with colored LED's

[xlong4x4]

I just installed my rancho gauges and I'm not too keen on the blasé old-school lighting. I would like to replace the white bulbs with brighter aqua-colored bulbs to match my other white-fauced gauges with the greenish "glow" lighting.

Finding the LED's is not a problem. The gauge's bulb holder is not big enough for any of the automotive-style bulbs, so I have to build my own from parts. The problem is knowing which ones to buy. For example, superbrightleds.com has aqua colored bulbs with light outputs ranging from 4000-7000mcd(millicandelas, ~50-115 lumens). The problem is that I have no idea how bright a candela or lumen is.

Does anyone have any idea how bright any of these things are? I would probably just use a single 5mm bulb for each gauge.

[solowsilverado]

That would be a VERY bright light. I ordered some RL5-B2545 Blue 5MM LEDS to go behind the AC panel & they are pretty damn bright. They are only rated @ 2500 mcd. The only problem you might have is the viewing angle. Mine are 45 degree angle & the ones you are talking about look to only be 32 or 18 degrees. If the gauge you are talking about is not very big, one might work. If not, try running (2) in series with a 470 ohm resistor & bending them to get the light spread you want. Hope that helps.

[xlong4x4]

I found some green 194 bulbs at Wal-Mart and installed them last night. They are a perfect match! I soldered leads to the wires on the bulbs and they just fit in the bulb holders on the back of the gauges. I'm good to go.