Re: Dash lights 1948 Super 8

Posted by HH56 On 2023/11/6 15:27:17

48-50 models had what Packard called Flite-Glo instruments. What he needs are plastic or maybe glass UV or black light filters that fit into the cluster holes. That etsy item says it is glass but it might work if it can be cut and pieces shaped to fit in the openings

Don't remember the precise shape of the original filters or if they totally surrounded the bulbs or just covered part of a metal shroud but regular socketed incandescent 55 bulbs push into the cluster opening just as in other models. With the UV filters between the bulb and gauges they remove almost all the visible light so output is a dim purple filtered UV that excites luminescent paint on the gauge markings and needles. Just those items glow a bright green in a dark background.

Issue is that as the paint ages it cracks and chunks fall off or it loses the ability to glow. Fix many have done for non visible or splotchy instruments has been to remove the filters and have just the ordinary yellow bulb light illuminate the gauges.