Ok, started my led project, here are some pics

[Sketch o5]

distribution looks good.

you need to reverse that odo tho, haha.

 

[cirsurvive711]

As some of you may know, I'm always changing my mind on how I want my cluster. Well my car's goin to the body shop tomorrow (minor accident, no worries), but got a pic of how my cluster is right now, thought you guys might wanna see

What do you guys think of the light distribution?

that looks pretty sick dude are those just hyper white leds back there? and is that a ring over your speedometer?

 

[Zero-Defect]

Yeah that's one of those chrome rings, and the LEDs I used are "HID WHITE SMT X5 HIGH POWER LED LIGHT BULBS 194" from V-Leds. They seem expensive, but are so worth it. They're like 30% brighter than SMTs imho.

 

[Zero-Defect]

distribution looks good.

you need to reverse that odo tho, haha.

Wanna do it for me next time we're both at a meet? lol

 

[ejreams]

Ok, foil is done. You can see it's not that much of a help. It works, i need something more though.

Almost there

I'm going to mess with plexglass and see if i can't make a better diffusor.

Ok so this is a really good idea to help dispurse light in the direction you want it, and I was just in the shower thinkin about this and how I didn't like the outcome of my Center Console. I was thinking.. couldn't you do the same thing with that? like in the AC unit (I have a V6 with the auto controls so mines a lil diff than his) but I was thinkin couldn't I cut out thin cardboard like a paper plate for example and fold the edges to fit inside the chamber where the lights are and cut holes to slide it down around the bulbs (So its not all the way down touching the motherboard) then put tin foil on the outward facing side to reflect any lost light back towards the buttons? what do you guys think?

 

[talontsiawd]

If i were to go back in time (and i may redo mine), i would have used white reflective vinyl. I used that on my needles and it works great. I just went to a local sign shop and they gave me scraps for free. I may give it a try as now i can take my needles off without uncalibrating them.

 

[ejreams]

Without uncalibrating them? how? by marking their position like previously stated correct?
Also where did you put it on the needles the underside? or wrapped?

 

[talontsiawd]

Without uncalibrating them? how? by marking their position like previously stated correct?
Also where did you put it on the needles the underside? or wrapped?

Once the needles are off the car, you can break these little plastic welds and remove the needle without the pin. So i can take the faces off, needles off, etc, with no worries about recalibrating them. I did this because even with the right tools, it's a BITCH

I kind of screwed up my needles, i wish i didn't touch them. But they are wrapped in silver reflective vinyl. They are lit up by the top lights and are blue when lit. I plan to get another set of needles, i just haven't felt the need yet as it works for me.

 

[ejreams]

Ok, foil is done. You can see it's not that much of a help. It works, i need something more though.

Almost there

I'm going to mess with plexglass and see if i can't make a better diffusor.

Once the needles are off the car, you can break these little plastic welds and remove the needle without the pin. So i can take the faces off, needles off, etc, with no worries about recalibrating them. I did this because even with the right tools, it's a BITCH

I kind of screwed up my needles, i wish i didn't touch them. But they are wrapped in silver reflective vinyl. They are lit up by the top lights and are blue when lit. I plan to get another set of needles, i just haven't felt the need yet as it works for me.

I see, well you are a brave soul, I'm gonna let them be until somone makes a good DIY thread Haha )
Btw I fixed my Center console, I used longer housings so they sat closer to the buttons it made it brighter like I wanted it just took a lot of modification and some bleeding (Sharp Razors) hahah. Now I'm just waiting for my next order to get in so I can do the cluster
x.x it looks so goofy at the moment cause my center console looks all nice but my cluster and other lights are the ugly filiment bulbs still Lol

 

[SpiKeZ]

im not sure if this was asked before because i didnt read the entire thread but i noticed that the first post stated that the leds were from superbrightleds.com
i bought leds from them (the wedge bulbs with 5 leds pointed in different directions) about a year ago. i had to exchange more than half of them after they started flickering like a strobe light. i have a theory that they break whenever i try to start the car when theyre turned on. did anyone else experience the same thing with the flickering or is my car just retarded? since i made up my theory i have been very cautious making sure my cluster lights are OFF before i start the car. so far additional bulbs have not started to flicker. im also out of warranty for the bulbs so exchanging is not an option anymore

btw i spoke to mike? from superbrightleds and he recommended that i buy the surface mount bulbs because hes never gotten any flickering ones back from customers. if anyone has tried these can you confirm that theyre reliable? i dont want to spend another $70+ just to swap out all my bulbs to try this if i cant be sure it'll work