LED Swap (Guages / HVAC)

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Feb 9, 2009 | 08:05 PM

#561

Tagnal

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Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 13

From: Northern California

Anyone?

Feb 9, 2009 | 08:21 PM

#562

trrocks03

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Posts: 110

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagnal

I have a question for people who use the translucent vinyl/film for the multi-tone effects. During the day when the dash lights are off, are the numbers/gauges still easy to read? Normally, during the day they have a pretty good contrast with the silver gauge face and the darkened lettering (if you turn on the lights the orange is hard to see during the day). Was just wondering if the film will affect this.

Also, when changing the colors for the LCD display, is it possible to use white LEDs with a colored film there as well? (I've never looked at how an LCD is lit before) Would the film overheat and melt? I just ask because I'm not exactly sure how I want the color setup to be, and I figure it would be easier to just apply white LEDs everywhere and adjust the colors with different colored film instead of having to soder on new LEDs every time.

Good questions. I did the swap myself in August '08 with no professional experience. I just did the gauges and plan to do the HVAC in the next couple of weeks. Here are my responces to your questions.

1) The lighting during the day. When it is day time, you will still have a obvious contrast between the silver panel and the black "light area". It will still be dark and allow enough contrast to see. There will basically be no noticable change during the day time.

2) I didn't do a film over the LCD. I just did white LEDs for the major gauges, and blue LEDs for the LCD section. I like the look of the blue LEDs in there. I didn't use the polarized film either. I am very satisfied with my choice. I doubt that the film will melt, but I don't know for sure. I say this because it doesn't melt when it is over the white LEDs in the gauge section. I used different colors throughout the gauge section. Also, the LEDs aren't supposed to get warm at all (I believe). You probably would be okay if this is the approach you wanted to take.

Note: There is a clear distinction between a blue LED and a white LED with a blue film. So consistancy helps out a lot here.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I'll try to help. (Again, I am not a professional, I just happened to get mine to work

)

Feb 9, 2009 | 09:27 PM

#563

LEDmod

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Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 2,093

From: Anaheim, CA & Las Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagnal

Also, when changing the colors for the LCD display, is it possible to use white LEDs with a colored film there as well? (I've never looked at how an LCD is lit before) Would the film overheat and melt? I just ask because I'm not exactly sure how I want the color setup to be, and I figure it would be easier to just apply white LEDs everywhere and adjust the colors with different colored film instead of having to soder on new LEDs every time.

It will not melt them, since LED does not get hot..

But it's better to use blue LED if you want the LCD to light up blue..
Anytime you use filter over the white LED, it will reduce the brightness and some time it washes out the color a little...
So you don't get the nice bright blue with white LED with blue filter...
But using white LED with filter won't be a problem...

Feb 9, 2009 | 09:44 PM

#564

Tagnal

Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 13

From: Northern California

Thank you both for your replies!

Mar 6, 2009 | 11:01 PM

#565

Nftypjs

Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1

Re: Gauge Cluster Illumination Change - HOWTO

Did you have to replace any of the resistors on the HVAC/Gauge cluster? If not, can you give me a link to the actual LED type that you use in your led exchange?

May 4, 2009 | 09:18 PM

#566

kuo34

Senior Member

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Posts: 311

well I cracked my LCD. Are there any sources for these, or are we stuck with buying a new hvac cluster still?

May 4, 2009 | 10:36 PM

#567

LEDmod

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From: Anaheim, CA & Las Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuo34

well I cracked my LCD. Are there any sources for these, or are we stuck with buying a new hvac cluster still?

LCD is not sold seperatley..

Only way to get that replacement is getting the whole unit from like junk yard..
Or if someone has spare unit that wants to part it out..

May 4, 2009 | 11:54 PM

#568

kuo34

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ugh. It seems odd that there's no source for that piece alone. Oh well.

May 5, 2009 | 12:25 AM

#569

LEDmod

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From: Anaheim, CA & Las Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuo34

ugh. It seems odd that there's no source for that piece alone. Oh well.

Try eBay.

May 5, 2009 | 12:35 AM

#570

kuo34

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Posts: 311

good idea, thanks LEDmod. I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew for this project.

May 5, 2009 | 06:06 AM

#571

LEDmod

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From: Anaheim, CA & Las Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuo34

good idea, thanks LEDmod. I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew for this project.

Yes, sometime soldering can be flustrating..
So it's better to leave it to the professional...
Don't make it worst then it is...

I had customers messed up the board and sent it to me for repair..
They end up spending more then what I normally charge for installation..
But I can pretty much repair most of the problem, so far there were no problem that I wasn't able to repair...

May 5, 2009 | 02:16 PM

#572

kuo34

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 311

I think the best thing I can do is take a step back from the project and take a deep breath. Especially since the LCDs aren't available separately, which makes for very expensive mistakes. Maybe I'll save my pennies up and let one of the pros do it.

Maybe I should stick to the nuts and bolts for now. Getting pretty good at that stuff.

May 5, 2009 | 05:15 PM

#573

LEDmod

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From: Anaheim, CA & Las Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuo34

You can probably get replacement HVAC from eBay for like $80

But if are still not sure about installing yourself, I can install it for you... or clean up your soldering while at it and replace the LCD screen..
So you don't have to go buy whole unit...

Jul 21, 2009 | 07:35 PM

#574

nikk0619

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 4

I installed the illumation leds on the gauge. but it wond turn on. when i plug the gauge, the leds all light up at the same time just for a second, then it wont turn on at all. do i need to buy some resistors for that? is it requied???