blue Gauge cluster...

[b00stAdict]

first off i have searched and searched and searched with no luck what so ever. im looking for a write-up on how to get my gauge cluster to look like this;

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it looks like they are the stock gauges with just blue lighting behind, im not sure if they changed the bulbs, did an led swap or what. Just looking for some insight please


thanks

 

[beendenied]

It's from a 2g cluster, but you know, same concept

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-exterior-interior/274519-how-light-gauge-cluster-leds.html

 

[2slow4now]

Thats a great write up. I followed it but sanded off the orange from the back of the guage overlays and went one step more and put a thin blue film I got off ebay behind them along with the blue leds.

 

[beendenied]

That sounds pretty tight looking, have a pic?

 

[2slow4now]

I'm @ work but will try to get one tomorrow. I like it its kind of a deeper blue instead of light neon blue.

 

[beendenied]

Sounds easier on the eyes, like what I would want to do, maybe in red to match my EVOs.

 

[2slow4now]

The sanding is the easy part. Getting to some of those light bulbs is kind of a pain. That and I was lazy and didn't figure out which side of the leds was positive and then test the switch to see which side was positive. I got it wrong probably 75% of the time. Those little bass turds are hard to get out of some of those holes!

 

[beendenied]

I bet it was a learning experience for future reference . I also like doing things the second time around much more than the first.

 

[2slow4now]

Yeah I just got my gambling bug out and what do you know the house always wins! Thats why I suggested checking the terminals and the leds before you try. I figured I had a 50/50 shot of getting it right and that caused alot more work than just checking and making sure it was right the first time.

 

[Calan]

The pic doesn't capture it very well, but this was done with natural white replacement LEDs (and 3 additional surface mounted LEDs), stripped and repainted needles, and blue/red stage lighting gels. The pic was taken with the cluster on the bench, while I was still working on eliminating the hot spots and dialing in the color.

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All of the HVAC and other lights were also removed and customized with various types of white LEDs.

 

[HeatedCargo]

Drool I want that cluster sooo bad!!!

 

[beendenied]

Looks like the sechs! hehe. I want to do that, then make the larger numbers km/h

 

[ChiTownHussla]

how much CALAN if I send you a cluster to make it like that?

 

[mitsu-luver]

Its just blue leds. Buy the leds check the data sheet for them and use ohms law to calculate the correct resistor needed for protection.
also there is a anode and cathode, every led should have one leg longer than the other. The longer leg goes to the more positive voltage source.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[Calan]

Its just blue leds.

The cluster I just posted a pic of doesn't have any blue LEDs.

The problem with just replacing the stock bulbs with blue LEDs is that it makes the needles and red lettering look weird. IMHO, if you are going to do blue gauge faces, you really need to disassemble the cluster and rework it, so that everything looks like it was designed that way.

It's a hell of a lot more work, but I think the end result is well worth it.

 

[stukyl28]

The pic doesn't capture it very well, but this was done with natural white replacement LEDs (and 3 additional surface mounted LEDs), stripped and repainted needles, and blue/red stage lighting gels. The pic was taken with the cluster on the bench, while I was still working on eliminating the hot spots and dialing in the color.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

All of the HVAC and other lights were also removed and customized with various types of white LEDs.

Better check your gas gauge your almost outta gas looks so good

 

[TurboATM]

Thats a great write up. I followed it but sanded off the orange from the back of the guage overlays and went one step more and put a thin blue film I got off ebay behind them along with the blue leds.

Something a little more easy to get, for those like me who cant wait the 2 days ebay takes to ship , is get colored transparent notebook dividers from walmart. thats how i got mine red!

 

[Calan]

Better check your gas gauge your almost outta gas looks so good

That was actually a spare cluster that I used to mock everything up with. But... it does take some trial and error when you put it back together to get everything re-calibrated.

When I finished my actual cluster, I installed it in the dash without the plastic cover on it, and then positioned the tach needle and checked it against ECMLink with the car running. Once the car warmed up to my normal operating temperature, I placed the temperature gauge needle so that it was straight up.

For the fuel gauge, I drained the tank and then adjusted the needle position with some known amounts of gas to make sure it was correct.

BTW - The low gas light in my car comes on at exactly 2.5 gallons of fuel left.

 

[AG 305]

any pics of how it looks with just replacement bulbs? and can i buy the correct bulbs at advance and napa and such?

 

[2slow4now]

This pic doesn't have the gauge bezel around it but you get the idea. Its alot more blue looking in person.

 

[3kgt2nv]

if its that bright in person it will get old fast. i had done this in my old 3000gt and it got to the point where it was distracting when i was driving so i pulled them out and went with wider angle and frosted the lens of the leds.

 

[2slow4now]

They can be dimmed down. I think its up all the way in the pic.

 

[3kgt2nv]

Might want to check if the leds you are using like to be adjusted thru a rheostat. Not all of them do.

 

[Calan]

Just about any LED can be dimmed down to it's minimum forward voltage rating. On my cluster, the ones from superbrightleds.com will dim to about the lowest I would want anyway before they stop conducting and turn off.

If you want to dim them below the forward voltage point, you need to use some sort of PCM signal.

 

[3kgt2nv]

I stand corrected then.