instrument panel LED upgrade?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
??
I don't know of the LEDs would produce enough "side" light for the plastic parts in the gauge cluster to use to spread the light around with.
The lights don't light the LCD panels up, its the hard plastic pieces behind them (kind of like when you stick a light in an etched piece of plexi, and it shows up all over the edges and surface)
The way LEDs are made, don't they mostly display off the top of the light and not the sides?
I don't know of the LEDs would produce enough "side" light for the plastic parts in the gauge cluster to use to spread the light around with.
The lights don't light the LCD panels up, its the hard plastic pieces behind them (kind of like when you stick a light in an etched piece of plexi, and it shows up all over the edges and surface)
The way LEDs are made, don't they mostly display off the top of the light and not the sides?
Advanced
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Tx
They DO make a lot of different LEDs now. I put some in my '92 and found so many different options. The actual LED is tiny and very bright and they do mount some sideways, or put 8 LEDs in one bulb too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Look up Perkin Elmer "Elcos"
4 leds of various colors on one Chip. The entire visual spectrum can be achieved.
http://optoelectronics.perkinelmer.c..._ACULEDDYO.pdf
4 leds of various colors on one Chip. The entire visual spectrum can be achieved.
http://optoelectronics.perkinelmer.c..._ACULEDDYO.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
dang thats some coooool stuff.
I think LEDs would be a great idea if someone know's of some that work and how to wire them in (aren't resistors usually needed for LED power needs?).
Anyway, I would think this would make the gauge cluster run cooler, thus making is last longer perhaps? Not to mention the color posibilities.
I think LEDs would be a great idea if someone know's of some that work and how to wire them in (aren't resistors usually needed for LED power needs?).
Anyway, I would think this would make the gauge cluster run cooler, thus making is last longer perhaps? Not to mention the color posibilities.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Those ACULED LEDs would be good for Lights etc. But a flat panel display would be better replacement for our purposes.
4 small displays showing the same info would be preferable.
Then you could patch in your DVD and watch "The Goonies" while driving to work
4 small displays showing the same info would be preferable.
Then you could patch in your DVD and watch "The Goonies" while driving to work
