R8 binnacle illumination
R8 binnacle illumination
Hi. I wasted about 3 hours trying swap binnacle bulbs in my Rover. The needle for the engine temp didn’t illuminate but the dial did.
Naturally I bought the wrong bulbs assuming they needed the cap and bulb - they didn’t. Just the capless miniature bulbs. But there are 2 sizes of bulb - the side dials are both T5 and the 3 main dial ones are T6.5. I was amazed to see these were clear bulbs with little orange rubber sleeves. The larger ones looked a bit “bleached”.
For anyone who has had the binnacle out it’s a pain of a job involving feeding the Speedo cable through the bulkhead ftom the engine bay.
So any tips on lighting the temp needle? I’m guessing I may need to replace the T6.5s to get it to light as the new T5 behind the temp dial didn’t do it.
Naturally I bought the wrong bulbs assuming they needed the cap and bulb - they didn’t. Just the capless miniature bulbs. But there are 2 sizes of bulb - the side dials are both T5 and the 3 main dial ones are T6.5. I was amazed to see these were clear bulbs with little orange rubber sleeves. The larger ones looked a bit “bleached”.
For anyone who has had the binnacle out it’s a pain of a job involving feeding the Speedo cable through the bulkhead ftom the engine bay.
So any tips on lighting the temp needle? I’m guessing I may need to replace the T6.5s to get it to light as the new T5 behind the temp dial didn’t do it.
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Re: R8 binnacle illumination
I would go LED.
You can get T6.5 in LED guise prefitted with resistors.
If you want to keep the factory look, go with warm white.
You can get T6.5 in LED guise prefitted with resistors.
If you want to keep the factory look, go with warm white.
Re: R8 binnacle illumination
Where can I find these please? I’ve been struggling! Also does anyone know of an effective orange filter (paint or sleeve) you can buy to put over it?
- Johnny 216GSi
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Re: R8 binnacle illumination
I've just read this thread. I didn't have to look too far:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23540881527
Otherwise, buy branded T5 and T6.5 bulbs, such as those made by Osram.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23540881527
Otherwise, buy branded T5 and T6.5 bulbs, such as those made by Osram.
Rover 216GSi K reg. Flame Red over Tempest Grey



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Re: R8 binnacle illumination
I had a look on eBay and found these in orange. I will warn you, although the seller lists them as being LED, the illustrations are of conventional filiment bulbs.
They should work fine as is though.
T5 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134965857705
T6.5 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226448520679
I also found the pics of my ROVER 25 dials with cool white LEDs behind them. They still lit up OEM orange but with a nice modern glow.



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Re: R8 binnacle illumination
Johnny 216GSi wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 2:19 am I've just read this thread. I didn't have to look too far:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23540881527
Otherwise, buy branded T5 and T6.5 bulbs, such as those made by Osram.
Linky no worky pal, think it's short a number.
Re: R8 binnacle illumination
Thanks Rover Cabby - I’ve now found those. Wow - they like to charge for a tiddly bulb but needs must! Hope they last better than recent Chinese bulbs I’ve bought. There’s no way these days to tell whether a product is good quality and higher price doesn’t seem to be a guarantee!
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Re: R8 binnacle illumination
No problem. You could sell the ones you use on to someone else.
If they are LED, I might be interested.
If they are LED, I might be interested.
Re: R8 binnacle illumination
Yep - I’m expecting poor quality filament bulbs. Ordered 19th Jan. die 24th Feb apparently. Should have tried to find sone in the U.K….. 
