FOSTA Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 I recently got a new stereo and thought I'd like my dash to match the red lighting so I done my heater control with red LEDs and then bought some red led bulbs for the dials. Now when I turned them on they wernt very bright and didn't look very good. So it got me thinking, I seen a 5mtr reel of smd LEDs on eBay for £7.00. They are on a ribbon cable and come protected in a gel cote and you can cut them every 3 LEDs and solder new wires on so they are easily cut down to the size you need. So this is what I done: Cut strips to size and hot glued them in place. Then I decided to make the top end 160-180mph and the red line brighter: Then I orderd a set of pcbs for around the needles to make them glow white but for some resason they don't make the needles look very bright as I was expecting, its not the pcbs as the are bright as hell when they are not behind its just not shining through very much for some reason :/ And after all that I don't think I like them, think ill change them to all white lol But I just thought I'd share for anyone that wants to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Nice idea,.... got me thinking ,... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Good idea looks pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Heckler is going to love you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOSTA Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 Heckler is going to love you Ha ha ha ha ha I never really thought this through did I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Dash lights are dim so you can see where you're going at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_ufo Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 need to see it in the car, but looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 (edited) The problem with using LED's is that it's difficult to get an even spread of light and you end up with hot spots. I've recently done a stainless steel dial install on the MR2 and used white EL Panels (same tech as Indiglo dials) and coloured transparent film behind the dials, the EL panels can be cut to shape and are very easy to install. I also replaced the standard bulbs with white LED's to illuminate the needles and tacho. http://www.elwirecraft.co.uk/el-products/el-panel-categories/ Pic is a bit blurry and the blue is a lot stronger in real life. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6811/dscf0521x.jpg Edited June 6, 2013 by Nic (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOSTA Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Forgot to add a picture of these fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan294 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveR Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Is that workable (i.e. not blinding) at night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Is that workable (i.e. not blinding) at night? In all fairness Heckler did some for me in my old car. I didn't have a problem. Red is quite a good colour as it doesn't damage night vision as much as other colours (so my Tom Clancy novels say). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkddav3 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest balloo Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 that cheap way to brighten up looks exactly what it is......cheap :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 The problem with using LED's is that it's difficult to get an even spread of light and you end up with hot spots. I've recently done a stainless steel dial install on the MR2 and used white EL Panels (same tech as Indiglo dials) and coloured transparent film behind the dials, the EL panels can be cut to shape and are very easy to install. I also replaced the standard bulbs with white LED's to illuminate the needles and tacho. http://www.elwirecraft.co.uk/el-products/el-panel-categories/ Pic is a bit blurry and the blue is a lot stronger in real life. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6811/dscf0521x.jpg That looks fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveR Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 In all fairness Heckler did some for me in my old car. I didn't have a problem. Red is quite a good colour as it doesn't damage night vision as much as other colours (so my Tom Clancy novels say). True story (it's to do with the visible spectrum ), so fair enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOSTA Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott87 Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Looks good dude! Wanna do mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk4Gaz Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 What I did, to get mine red, was to fit white leds - the square top type, smd ones, and then use red self adhesive overhead projector film and stuck it to the back of the dial faces. Just simply cut small squares, peel back the dial face without removing the needle, and stick the film to the back of the dial. Works a treat, and cost less than £1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_ufo Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 What I did, to get mine red, was to fit white leds - the square top type, smd ones, and then use red self adhesive overhead projector film and stuck it to the back of the dial faces. Just simply cut small squares, peel back the dial face without removing the needle, and stick the film to the back of the dial. Works a treat, and cost less than £1 pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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