Project: LED MODS (part3) Finished Gauge Cluster
Project: LED MODS (part3) Finished Gauge Cluster
Hey guys, pretty much finished changing every single amber LED out in this car... my latest and most exciting (also most challenging) the Gauge Cluster!
for those who haven't seen:
Project: LED Mods, replacing and adding
Project: LED MODS (part2)
I noticed in the older models (03/04) you could get away with changing the light bulbs to colored LED's and sand the orange off the back of the overlay. Such was not the case with this. They decided to move the amber layer to the front so I had to tape off and cut out the area I wanted to sand. I hand soldered (and desoldered) almost 50 small surface mount LEDs. Another thing no one tells you is after you pull the needles off the gauges (scary) you have to put them on in the right location. this involved me driving around with my dash open, pulling them off and putting them on in what I thought was the right spot, with GPS trying to figure out where the speed should be, filling up my gas tank to full for the fuel level, knowing where my RPM Idles for the tach, and just guessing it in the middle for my temp. After a lot of time and many burnt fingertips this is what I came up with.
*edit* would like to thank accordfreak for being my inspiration.
<center>
Click images for Hi-Res.
PCB
Changed out one white and one red LED
Changed out 6 white LEDs and 11 Red
Light Diffusers on
With overlay on, before sanding
Changed out 35 white and 11 red LEDs and 1 UV (VDC Off) 1 white (SLIP)
Using gauge circles as stencil for sanding mask
after some sanding
Red lighting gel applied
Removed masking
Finished
for those who haven't seen:
Project: LED Mods, replacing and adding
Project: LED MODS (part2)
I noticed in the older models (03/04) you could get away with changing the light bulbs to colored LED's and sand the orange off the back of the overlay. Such was not the case with this. They decided to move the amber layer to the front so I had to tape off and cut out the area I wanted to sand. I hand soldered (and desoldered) almost 50 small surface mount LEDs. Another thing no one tells you is after you pull the needles off the gauges (scary) you have to put them on in the right location. this involved me driving around with my dash open, pulling them off and putting them on in what I thought was the right spot, with GPS trying to figure out where the speed should be, filling up my gas tank to full for the fuel level, knowing where my RPM Idles for the tach, and just guessing it in the middle for my temp. After a lot of time and many burnt fingertips this is what I came up with.
*edit* would like to thank accordfreak for being my inspiration.
<center>
Click images for Hi-Res.
PCB
Changed out one white and one red LED
Changed out 6 white LEDs and 11 Red
Light Diffusers on
With overlay on, before sanding
Changed out 35 white and 11 red LEDs and 1 UV (VDC Off) 1 white (SLIP)
Using gauge circles as stencil for sanding mask
after some sanding
Red lighting gel applied
Removed masking
Finished
Last edited by sexyrob; Oct 23, 2009 at 05:50 PM.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/HKJE-Led...__W0QQ_armrsZ1
get my LED's from this guy... he is in HK so it takes awhile, but good products.
think i got my lighting gel from here
http://www.filmstarrentals.com/Light...s-Rolls-Sheets
although let me know if you need red or blue, I have a lot left that I'll never use I could sell cheap.
get my LED's from this guy... he is in HK so it takes awhile, but good products.
think i got my lighting gel from here
http://www.filmstarrentals.com/Light...s-Rolls-Sheets
although let me know if you need red or blue, I have a lot left that I'll never use I could sell cheap.
