Hmmmm.... Cathodes... I wonder If you could get them to fit behind the a/c controlls. Maybe the 4 inch cathode. Or cut the plastic off of it and then run it back there. Will it work?

 

that would be pretty sweet i must say

 

anyone find the bulb condom covers online anywhere?

 

http://www.electronicplus.com/conten...=la&subcat=lmi

Try that bro

 

Why dont you put LED's in, instead of the lamps w/ covers?

 

LEDs are definatly the way to go. I just did mine with LEDs and they look great now I just need to do my clock.

 

Where can I find a DIY for this? I want it to match my Cathodes, and the rubber caps cannot be found at my local Kragen and Autozone. Plus lost of feedback state its not bright enough.

 

Just follow this DIY thread, but instead of putting the Rubbers over the bulbs, remove the bulbs from the bulb holder, and replace them w/ LED's.
You will need to solder a resistor on one of the LED's prongs. I put the resistor on the short one cuz thats what I read was the positive.


You will have to do some trimming to the LED's prongs (I dont know what the LED"S wires are called, they are too stiff to be wires so I'm calling them prongs, somone help me out here)

Wrap the LED's prongs around the holder like the original wireing was, and put them back in. If they dont light up, then you have them in backwards... simply remove it and then twist the LED holder 180 degrees to match up the positive and negative properly.
There's pics around here somewhere, try the search button
Its really easy.

 

HELLOOOOO?????

Read the thread you just posted in. All your info is here.

 

Of course it would be a big job, but wouldn't it be nice if on these big DIY posts, all the real good DIY instructions, links and technical info could be seperated out into one or two pages?

 

There are 8 pages of questions and answers. I cannot seem to separate them.

What is easy/effective method of changing the A/C light?

 

If you read the first page, the first post, you will be able to at least remove the light bulbs. Then you can replace them with LED's. You will have to Solder a resistor onto one side of the LED wires first, then re-wrap the wiring into the plastic housing like the original bulb was.
Its really easy, and when you get everything taken apart its easier to see what we are talking about.


Talk to SquallHeart about LED's. He's really knowledgable in that area. And he is very generous with his knowledge.
Here is a link to his profile, click the Private Message button to send him a message.
https://www.scionlife.com/profile/SquallLHeart

 

Pm'd him, thanks. Where can I get cheap LEDs that fit?

 

www.oznium.com
Cathodes & LEDs galore

 

These?

http://www.oznium.com/led

What size and do I need resistors

 

yes those, you can get either the 5mm or 3mm. I used the 5mm. They dont sit down completley into the plastic holder, but it works, you can sand the edges down a little to make it fit. Or you can just get the 3mm, they cost more tho'
And YES you do need resistors, read up on LED's on the link you posted to see why and how to connect them.

 

Has anyone tried trimming the led itself, to get the light to spread out more? Oznium's site says you can do that...

 

Yes I "trimmed" mine down w/ sandpaper. You can just sand it down. You can flatten the head to make the light spread out more. I put angles on mine to shine in the direction of the dark areas I had.

 

Allright, here is how you can modify (trim) LEDs.



Take a new LED and chuck it in your drill with the leads and the bottom flange sticking out of the chuck. Dont tighten it too hard or you'll crack the LED. Then use a coarse file and just turn down the flange.

Then flip the LED around in the drill chuck. Now you can turn down the front of it. Again, using a file turn down the LED. I use various conical shapes to get more diffused light out of it. Also leave the turned down part rough (don't polish it out). That difuses the light better than a polished surface.

 

LED's are not the way to go... you can fit 2 4" Cathodes in behind the A/C controls once you take the clear diffuser out. LED's will always be brighter in the center and dim at the edges no matter how much you modify them. The Cathodes are even and bright all the way across and can still be dimmed.

Here's a pick of mine using 2 4" Cathodes purchased from Oznium.com