spdwyvette

Argh..... what started out as a "dead fuel gage needle" (LED's went out), has turned into Project Blue Dash. I initially when through sticker shock when I was quoted $210.00 for the new gage. After searching and reading the threads on this problem I got some ideas. People seem to like "Blue backlighting", and White tape over the needles seems to be a/the solution to dead needles. So... I went to Rat-Shack this morning to pick up some blue LED's. As a test, I replaced one of the burned out (white) dash lights w/ a blue LED, and it look pretty kewl! It isn't going to be cheap though, about $7.00 (+/-) per light, and there are 8 of the little buggers. The LED's are 5mm, 2600mcd (very bright), and cost $4 each. I installed the LED in the original blub holder. I'm thinking I'll have to go pick up a new set of those in case I want to go back to original.

I've taken a few pic's of the project, so I'll get those posted shortly.......

I'd be interested to know how many others would be interested in this project, so I know how detailed to make the web pages and pics?

spdwyvette
(2001 Corvette, 1993 ES300)

bradbaker

they're way cheaper on ebay, the white led that they sell for $5 sells for $1 on ebay.

spdwyvette

Good to know..... I know I can source them cheaper then Radio Shack, but it's only about a mile away....
I'm also thinking about using a cold cathode tube (hobby type, 10cm long) for front lighting. This will light up the needles better. I'm guessing one at the bottom and one at the top, center in the cluster.

spdwyvette
(2001 Corvette, 1993 ES300)

bradbaker

i beleive you can get 12 volts tubes at computer stores, like comp usa in red and blue.

Baby Lex

sounds good, let us see those pics!! How difficult was doing all this? what tools you need? ANy other info? You like them?

spdwyvette

Ok... pics are in....... Details are on my home site.
http://12.229.121.4/Photos/Lexus/index.html

Here is a photo showing half and half.......



spdwyvette
(2001 Corvette, 1993 ES300)

lexusk8

Hey spdwyvette, I like the blue color on the RPM gauge, but to me it's probably a little too blue. Something like sky blue would be good for the eyes. Also, it seems that there are some dead/dying spots around that gauge, maybe it's just the picture . Do you happen to know the lifetime of these LED bulbs that you installed? What made you decide to go with these LEDs instead of original Lexus light replacements?

spdwyvette

Just another project..... Does Lexus make a "blue" dash bulb? The LED's should last a while. I'm not sure what their duty range is, I'll have to look it up. The decision on the LED was just to provide a different color. The LED's I choose were the brightest at 2600mcd. Because the LED's tend to focus the beam stright ahead, you don't get the difussed light that you get from a regular bulb, thus the bright spot/light spots.

spdwyvette
(2001 Corvette, 1993 ES300)

lexusk8

Hmm, you made a good point about LEDs focusing on one point of light, instead of scattered light from a regular bulb like the Lexus ones. I'm just worried about the lifetime of the LEDs, and if they take up a good part of the juice from the alternator. I don't think Lexus makes a blue bulb for the gauge cluster, although the gauge cluster from a '02 ES has a slight tint of blue with the white light (correct me if I'm wrong, '02 ES owners). FYI, you might want to check out this link from the SC300/400 forum; the thread contains a good overview of what to expect inside an instrument gauge cluster. I'm also in the market of possibly getting new bulbs for the instrument gauges from my '96 ES. Here's a link to the thread I started, and it contains a pic of my gauge cluster.

spdwyvette

I'm getting very good at taking the cluster in and out. I'm guessing that I can bet flat rate right now! In and out in under 5min!! I'm so ticked off over this whole needle thing I could just scream!

I have some blue Cold Cathode tubes (4mm x 100mm or 1/4 dia x 3" long) that I'm going to try next. Using the white tape trick on the needles to reflect the blue light. I'm hoping that the tube will be small enough so it isn't to noticable.

Also once I figure out what size these bulbs are, I'll start scouting around for a brighter/whiter one. The LED lights are great at night, but they wash out in the daytime. I'm undecided on if I'll stick w/ them.

spdwyvette
(2001 Corvette, 1993 ES300)

DK Audio

LEDs usually have a life of about 100,000 hours which is like 11.5 years on straight! Don't need to worry about the life of them.

DK Audio

Oh yeah and about the alternator having to light these...LEDs draw about .015 milli (next to nothing) A little over a tenth of an amp for all 8.

zexen

lol hey dk, this is quite an old thread... not sure if people are still wondering about this one.

j2tha0e

so is the blue backlighting sufficiant during the day??