Gauge Lighting Update (Please Read)
08-02-2002, 12:55 PM
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Gauge Lighting Update (Please Read)
Many of you have seen my 944 Gauge Pod Lighting Update. If not, here is the link <a href="http://home.fuse.net/porsche951/led.htm" target="_blank">Gauge Pod Lighting</a>
I am in the process of making the reflectors out of acrylic and having the LED's set in with the mold. Doing the mod the way I have on the website, you cannot go back to stock (don't know why you would). With casting new reflectors with the LED's in them, all you need to do is swap reflectors and plug them in.
I am trying to get a feeler right now from the forums to see if there is any interest. My cost to make all 3 reflectors w/LED's is about $55. I would sell for $75 on the first batch, $100 after that. It will take about 7 hours per set to make, and $230 for the mold setup.
As for colors, when I had it all apart I tried blue, green, red, yellow, and of course the white LED's. The Red looked like the older Audi gauge clusters (such as the 4000 and 5000 series cars). Not bad, but not bright. Blue was OK, but not my taste. Blue mixed with a few white ones made good brightness and good color. The problem was the gauges would look fine, but the black background would take on the color of the LED's and not look all that great. The White adds a crisp clean look, and are quite bright when on the full brightness level. You can adjust the brightness with the stock rheostat.
Obviously, I am not going to dump a bunch of cash into this so I can sell 4 sets of these things. If you would like some more info, have color combination requests, or want to let me know you are interested, drop me an e-mail with the subject "LED's".
Thanks.
perry@fuse.net
I am in the process of making the reflectors out of acrylic and having the LED's set in with the mold. Doing the mod the way I have on the website, you cannot go back to stock (don't know why you would). With casting new reflectors with the LED's in them, all you need to do is swap reflectors and plug them in.
I am trying to get a feeler right now from the forums to see if there is any interest. My cost to make all 3 reflectors w/LED's is about $55. I would sell for $75 on the first batch, $100 after that. It will take about 7 hours per set to make, and $230 for the mold setup.
As for colors, when I had it all apart I tried blue, green, red, yellow, and of course the white LED's. The Red looked like the older Audi gauge clusters (such as the 4000 and 5000 series cars). Not bad, but not bright. Blue was OK, but not my taste. Blue mixed with a few white ones made good brightness and good color. The problem was the gauges would look fine, but the black background would take on the color of the LED's and not look all that great. The White adds a crisp clean look, and are quite bright when on the full brightness level. You can adjust the brightness with the stock rheostat.
Obviously, I am not going to dump a bunch of cash into this so I can sell 4 sets of these things. If you would like some more info, have color combination requests, or want to let me know you are interested, drop me an e-mail with the subject "LED's".
Thanks.
perry@fuse.net
08-02-2002, 02:34 PM
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Have you tried blacklight l.e.d.s? With the white numbers on the dash, that could look hella cool. Or even with white gauge faces. That's one of those things that you can't tell 'til you do it. It could actually look neat. or it could look uber rice.
08-02-2002, 07:22 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by ArcticCzar:
<strong>Have you tried blacklight l.e.d.s? With the white numbers on the dash, that could look hella cool.</strong><hr></blockquote>
grr. i moved out here from the east coast and i am still not used to people saying "hella" yet.
i'd never heard of blacklight (UV) led's but i don't see why it isn't possible. but without some sort of flourescent coating, the white numbers will not glow (flouresce) under uv radiation. the reason a white shirt glows is the "whiteners" they put in soap that is really flourescent dye.
<strong>Have you tried blacklight l.e.d.s? With the white numbers on the dash, that could look hella cool.</strong><hr></blockquote>
grr. i moved out here from the east coast and i am still not used to people saying "hella" yet.
i'd never heard of blacklight (UV) led's but i don't see why it isn't possible. but without some sort of flourescent coating, the white numbers will not glow (flouresce) under uv radiation. the reason a white shirt glows is the "whiteners" they put in soap that is really flourescent dye.
08-02-2002, 07:28 PM
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Perry...I hate my stock instrument lights...they look so weak compared to the light cannons I have illuminating the road in front of me. I sent you an e-mail...I would definitely be interested.
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08-02-2002, 07:33 PM
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Like ELLSSUU, I'd like to know how plug-n-play it is. And then I'd probably tell you to put me on the list.
08-02-2002, 07:34 PM
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Ok.. a few things. I have a blacklight and put the cluster in front of it. It is not that great. The white letters glow slightly, but the needles jump out at you. I think it would be too dark to be practical.
Problem is that I cannot get any UV LED's under 5mm (3mm is what I am using now) and they are $8 each! Since there are 15 LED's per cluster, that would be $120 in just lights.
On the plug and play issue. Simple. Take out the cluster, remove the old bulbs and reflectors, put in my reflectors and plug in the connector. A little dab of silicone sealant on the mounting posts will make sure they stay there, and also make it easy to remove of you'd like.
As of now, I do not have enough intrest in this to make me order the molds. I am going to try and make a mold myself this weekend, but I am unsure of the results since I have modified my reflectors, and do not have a good one to start from.
I'll keep you updated.
The ordering process can go 2 ways. I will have some pre-made, all one color. (White, red, etc). If you want a special color combo, it could take some time to make them up. I will not charge more for a custom color combo, unless you want some funly lights that cost $8 each.
Problem is that I cannot get any UV LED's under 5mm (3mm is what I am using now) and they are $8 each! Since there are 15 LED's per cluster, that would be $120 in just lights.
On the plug and play issue. Simple. Take out the cluster, remove the old bulbs and reflectors, put in my reflectors and plug in the connector. A little dab of silicone sealant on the mounting posts will make sure they stay there, and also make it easy to remove of you'd like.
As of now, I do not have enough intrest in this to make me order the molds. I am going to try and make a mold myself this weekend, but I am unsure of the results since I have modified my reflectors, and do not have a good one to start from.
I'll keep you updated.
The ordering process can go 2 ways. I will have some pre-made, all one color. (White, red, etc). If you want a special color combo, it could take some time to make them up. I will not charge more for a custom color combo, unless you want some funly lights that cost $8 each.
08-02-2002, 08:23 PM
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Also.. to answer some of the more common questions.
1. If this baby goes, I will provide a detailed instruction booklet and also a website with full detail and step by step pics.
2. There are 15 LED's total, 5 per reflector. The current draw is actualluy less than the origional bulbs. Each bulb has it's own resistor so if it goes, the rest stay lit (kinda like christmas lights) LED's, however, last a very very very long time if at the proper voltage. It would be hard to over volt these bulbs since I have a little larger resistor than needed.
3. You can design any color concept you want. If you want all red, I can do it, but it is a little dark, and very red. If you like the look of the new VW gauges, I can get it close. Problem is that the DUB gauges are backlit and use filters. All blue is a little dark, but acceptable.
4. Cost for the 1st run is $75.
5. The $230 is my cost to have 1 mold made.. not your cost.
6. This is for the late gauge pods on 944's and 968's. If the 928 uses the same reflector (should), then the 928's can have them as well.
7. I will see what I can do about the older style gauges and come up with a solutuon.
8. I am not going to offer the climate control mod. Unfortuately.. since that mod is so hard to do, and easy to screw up, I would hate to blow up someone's $300 climate control brain. I think the look of the old amber colored bulbs with the new white ones will be fine, just not 100% the same.
9. The stock dimmer works with this setup. They will dim a lot before shutting off.
Everyone who e-mailed should have a reply to you specific questions.
Thanks! This thing just might work after all!
1. If this baby goes, I will provide a detailed instruction booklet and also a website with full detail and step by step pics.
2. There are 15 LED's total, 5 per reflector. The current draw is actualluy less than the origional bulbs. Each bulb has it's own resistor so if it goes, the rest stay lit (kinda like christmas lights) LED's, however, last a very very very long time if at the proper voltage. It would be hard to over volt these bulbs since I have a little larger resistor than needed.
3. You can design any color concept you want. If you want all red, I can do it, but it is a little dark, and very red. If you like the look of the new VW gauges, I can get it close. Problem is that the DUB gauges are backlit and use filters. All blue is a little dark, but acceptable.
4. Cost for the 1st run is $75.
5. The $230 is my cost to have 1 mold made.. not your cost.
6. This is for the late gauge pods on 944's and 968's. If the 928 uses the same reflector (should), then the 928's can have them as well.
7. I will see what I can do about the older style gauges and come up with a solutuon.
8. I am not going to offer the climate control mod. Unfortuately.. since that mod is so hard to do, and easy to screw up, I would hate to blow up someone's $300 climate control brain. I think the look of the old amber colored bulbs with the new white ones will be fine, just not 100% the same.
9. The stock dimmer works with this setup. They will dim a lot before shutting off.
Everyone who e-mailed should have a reply to you specific questions.
Thanks! This thing just might work after all!
08-02-2002, 08:24 PM
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Ribs -
If I can find some in 3mm size, I will give it a try. The 5mm is too big and will not fit in the reflector.
Let me call some of my electronic guru's.
If I can find some in 3mm size, I will give it a try. The 5mm is too big and will not fit in the reflector.
Let me call some of my electronic guru's.
08-02-2002, 08:27 PM
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10. You do not need to pay any money now. This is just to see who might want them down the road.
11. I will have a paypal account, accept money/cashiers order, and personal checks (however, I will not ship until it clears)
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
11. I will have a paypal account, accept money/cashiers order, and personal checks (however, I will not ship until it clears)
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
08-02-2002, 09:52 PM
#14
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Ribs, quit calling my headights "Cannons". I don't want to deal with LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) dropping by my door, even if these lights are just fine when aimed correctly they don't have a DOT stamp, just European and ROW, and not even that for the overwatt bulbs.
Serious lighting for serious drivers, let's not spread the word too far.
I'm thinking the new HumVee model is sucking up all the available lenses. As you know how good these lights work with the supplemental wiring harness, you can understand how military would want them on an attack vehicle. So be quiet till I get another 100 for Rennlisters.
Serious lighting for serious drivers, let's not spread the word too far.
I'm thinking the new HumVee model is sucking up all the available lenses. As you know how good these lights work with the supplemental wiring harness, you can understand how military would want them on an attack vehicle. So be quiet till I get another 100 for Rennlisters.
