Globe-to-LED dash mod

[CMF_azman89]

Being a man of sound electrical knowledge, i could have worked something up with standalone SMD's and pcb's ect, but i believe in simple mods. Easy mods that anyone can follow.
So i set about my budget LED mod last night and came up with this.
6 strips of 3 SMD LED flexible LED strip. Purchased from ebay for about 8 bucks a while back. I used the "scrap" i had left for this mod.
My aim was to have crystal clear instruments. Instruments that looked sharp, not dicky and not too bright.

Image one:
This is what the inside of the rear instrument cluster housing looks like with everything removed. The clear front is clipped on, the black fascia under that is clipped on, and the gauges are held in with 2 7mm bolts and 4 screws. Piece of cake.

 

[CMF_azman89]

Image 2:
I used fusion speaker wire, nicked from the scrap bin at work, due to it's "cheapness" actually lol. It's thin (small

gauge), and very flexible. It only needed to handle 40mA or so for the entire mod.
I played around with locations and once i had settled, i ripped off the adhesive backing and added a tiny spot of superglue

for longevity of the hold.
routing The wires was very simple as you can see.
I found a spot to run 2 larger gauge wires through the back for the plug and drilled two 3mm holes.

 

[CMF_azman89]

Image 3:
It seems fairly bright here, and it is, but it dims A LOT with the fascia on.
I removed the cheap LED globes i had in and left the globe holders in. Removing the LED mod simply requires the "unplugging" of the LED's and the installation of regular globes again.

EDITED for spelling

 

[CMF_azman89]

Image 4:
I wired these LED's, and the external gauges up to the ignition feed to the cluster, so it all turns on with the key.

 

[CMF_azman89]

Not so much a tutorial, but more of a rough guide of how i did it.
Disclaimer: you are solely responsible for your vehicle and your mods. Please take care when modifying your vehicle. If in doubt, or are inexperience, seek help.

 

[CMF_RBLUV]

looks good, good job

 

[CMF_RTK]

looks awesome

 

[CMF_33driver]

nice work, might give that a go, I have just gone back to standard globes as the LED globes, no matter what i did, or brand i use would cut in and out all the time.

The PCB option might be the way to go, what smd/pcb board is that? Jaycar?

 

[CMF_azman89]

Thanks guys
That's the problem i was having. I'm not sure if it was a result of cheap components, or the fact that all of the automotive LED's available these days are "12 volt" when cars run at at least 14... closer to 16 in later model commodores etc. LED's are very sensitive in regards to having the correct voltage.
Yeah, you can pick up everything you need from Jaycar. Or you could cheat like i did and pick up a roll of that flexi LED strip from ebay, which handles 14.5volts all day long. I've never had a problem with it.

 

[CMF_Pierce]

Hey guys, I have some 12v white leds laying around and really want to try this, i have a cluster all ready to go. I'm sound on the wiring and soldering but have never dealt with leds before and/or different voltages that will cause them to flicker, what should I do/use to make these 12v leds work.

Thanks for any help guys

 

[CMF_azman89]

Well, what sort of LED's do you have exactly?
If they are standard LED's, by themselves, it is unlikely that they are "12v".
LED's have very low "forward voltages" and almost always require resistors in automotive use.
We'll need to know more about your LED's to help.

As for flickering, quality components and solid connections (particularly the earth, which often gets overlooked) will take care of flickering.
Cheap components won't handle the voltages/current they say they're rated at and can cause flickering as they slowly die

 

[CMF_Pierce]

ahh ok thanks guys, this is my led situation..

I have this laying around:

http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?p...uct_name=12+SMD+LEDS+SUPER+FLEX+BLUE&cat_sno=

stats off the back of the packet:

12 Super SMD Leds, super flexible (working between -15-85*C), W10 T2mm, can cut into 4 pieces, water resistant.

If you need anymore info let me know

EDIT: front of packet says 12V compatible

 

[CMF_azman89]

Perfect, that is a better quality version of what i used lol
You should have no problems running that straight off 12/14V

 

[CMF_Pierce]

ah sweet thanks for the info!

 

[CMF_royale]

How did you go with this Pierce?

Going to give this a try myself.

 

[CMF_Pierce]

Get the good stuff that can handle a little more than 12v and you won't have a problem