how to change ignition light colors - Page 8

svxash · #**106** 03-03-2009, 10:11 PM

So here's another variation of instrument colors using white LED and just the factory color of the gauges. The difference in color is due to using white LED's in place of the stock bulbs.
STOCK

White LED's with stock gauge backing.

STeeL25T · #**107** 03-04-2009, 06:53 AM

I'm a huuuuge fan of SVXash's gauges =)

I think the first one with the blue LEDs looks the best, but it doesn't seem to work because you can't see the needles...

So I was thinking, how hard would it be to swap out the red needles with clear ones? Like if you bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...Q5fAccessories

If you can get these needles cheaper somewhere else please point them out, this is the best I could come up with so far.

Johnybeas · #**108** 03-04-2009, 03:33 PM

with the "stock backing" do you mean just the regular gauges? without anything done??

I think I'm going to do the stage gels like you did. where did you get them from??? and I like how lit the white led's got it. maybe I'll do the white led's and the blue stage gels. how did you put the leds in there??

redlightningsvx · #**109** 03-04-2009, 05:11 PM

The led's for the gauges just replace the stock bulbs in the holder. I just got my dash back together and I really should take some GOOD shots of the red. Also about the needles, I suggested to just remove the red paint behind the needles to make them clear. I haven't tried this yet to see how it would look but I think it will look like the newer subarus with the clear needles.

svxash · #**110** 03-04-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnybeas

with the "stock backing" do you mean just the regular gauges? without anything done??

I think I'm going to do the stage gels like you did. where did you get them from??? and I like how lit the white led's got it. maybe I'll do the white led's and the blue stage gels. how did you put the leds in there??

Yes the stock backing is just the stock gauges without anything done to them. I purchased the stage gels from http://www.lightingelstore.com/servl...rection/Detail
The LED's are located in the factory bulb holders.

cozykat · #**111** 03-05-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxash

Yes the stock backing is just the stock gauges without anything done to them. I purchased the stage gels from http://www.lightingelstore.com/servl...rection/Detail
The LED's are located in the factory bulb holders.

looking at your gels, I am trying to tell if the [PRND123] section is blue or still green?

I need to take my gauges apart but I haven't grown so bold... Anyone have a picture of the stock bulbs that plug into the gauges? So I can see what I need to order before removing it.

cozykat · #**112** 03-05-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnybeas

Kozy how did you get the led's in the stock housing? is there an issue about power? would this work for any color led?

The LEDs come with the resistor and diode already soldered to the bulbs in the housing we need to just plug-n-play.

You can get them in Red, Blue, Green, White, Orange, and UV/Purple.

2 Issues I encountered:
1) while the housing is correct, the little tabs on the side are a little wider than what they need to be so I had to trim them a little with a exacto knife. Easy fix.

2) Because of the resistor and diode inside the house, the "Super Star Neo - Wedge" LEDs + housing are longer than the stock bulbs + housing. So I have to take 2 drill bits (I will find the sizes) and widen the second slot for the bulb in the cruise/security casing (there are 2 slots, one provides power, it the brass looking ring on top, the second is inside below. its black and of a smaller diameter than the first - i just made them the same diameter).

So the bulb went from sitting like this:

To sitting as it should:

For the side view mirror, I just took one of those LEDs and swapped it into the stock bulb housing, as seen here:

So just using the high intensity LEDs (aka regular Neo-Wedge) looked great on the Parking//Sideview Mirror Arrows but not so great on the Cruise/Security/Fog buttons due to the frost on the button's lettering:

The effort to use the wideangle LEDs (aka superstar) made a nice difference: [This was taken at dusk so the LEDS have a pink hue to them that isn't there at night.]

I bought the #74 red wide angle LED($2.99), #74 red LED($2.50) and the #74 regular red bulb ($0.99) for comparison - Just get the $2.99 one, the ignition light is much fuller than the other two.
Ignition completed:

I bought my LEDs from: http://autolumination.com/74.htm - Type A (8mm bulb housing) for the buttons, #74 for the ignition
Yes the site is cheesy, but they guy ships really fast. Not sure on how fast he is at communicating by email because I didn't have any questions. I just ordered and like 3-4 days later (depending on weekend or not) they came in by USPS Priority. You pay by paypal so they send a paypal item shipped notification.

on to changing the rest...

svxash · #**113** 03-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozykat

looking at your gels, I am trying to tell if the [PRND123] section is blue or still green?

I need to take my gauges apart but I haven't grown so bold... Anyone have a picture of the stock bulbs that plug into the gauges? So I can see what I need to order before removing it.

The gear indicator section is trimmed green around the perimeter which makes the letters appear slightly green in color. The stock bulb is a 194.

Johnybeas · #**114** 03-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozykat

The LEDs come with the resistor and diode already soldered to the bulbs in the housing we need to just plug-n-play.

You can get them in Red, Blue, Green, White, Orange, and UV/Purple.

2 Issues I encountered:
1) while the housing is correct, the little tabs on the side are a little wider than what they need to be so I had to trim them a little with a exacto knife. Easy fix.

2) Because of the resistor and diode inside the house, the "Super Star Neo - Wedge" LEDs + housing are longer than the stock bulbs + housing. So I have to take 2 drill bits (I will find the sizes) and widen the second slot for the bulb in the cruise/security casing (there are 2 slots, one provides power, it the brass looking ring on top, the second is inside below. its black and of a smaller diameter than the first - i just made them the same diameter).

So the bulb went from sitting like this:

To sitting as it should:

For the side view mirror, I just took one of those LEDs and swapped it into the stock bulb housing, as seen here:

So just using the high intensity LEDs (aka regular Neo-Wedge) looked great on the Parking//Sideview Mirror Arrows but not so great on the Cruise/Security/Fog buttons due to the frost on the button's lettering:

The effort to use the wideangle LEDs (aka superstar) made a nice difference: [This was taken at dusk so the LEDS have a pink hue to them that isn't there at night.]

I bought the #74 red wide angle LED($2.99), #74 red LED($2.50) and the #74 regular red bulb ($0.99) for comparison - Just get the $2.99 one, the ignition light is much fuller than the other two.
Ignition completed:

I bought my LEDs from: http://autolumination.com/74.htm - Type A (8mm bulb housing) for the buttons, #74 for the ignition
Yes the site is cheesy, but they guy ships really fast. Not sure on how fast he is at communicating by email because I didn't have any questions. I just ordered and like 3-4 days later (depending on weekend or not) they came in by USPS Priority. You pay by paypal so they send a paypal item shipped notification.

on to changing the rest...

Awesome Cozy! this is an awesome developement especially for those of us trying to go blue because for the window switch and window lock we would have issues replacing the green led because of difference of power levels! this is gonna be awesome! it will work out great for all the buttons and everything!

I'm still going to sand and use the stained glass paint for the hvac and stage gels and sanding for the gauges! this is awesome! I'm excited! I can't wait to pull everything out this summer and do this and my halos and everything!

good work everyone! I'll take pictures of my work too when I get around to it. The pictures and sharing of trial and error is really what makes this such an awesome community! Thanks guys!

cozykat · #**115** 03-09-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnybeas

Awesome Cozy! this is an awesome developement especially for those of us trying to go blue because for the window switch and window lock we would have issues replacing the green led because of difference of power levels! this is gonna be awesome! it will work out great for all the buttons and everything!

I'm still going to sand and use the stained glass paint for the hvac and stage gels and sanding for the gauges! this is awesome! I'm excited! I can't wait to pull everything out this summer and do this and my halos and everything!

good work everyone! I'll take pictures of my work too when I get around to it. The pictures and sharing of trial and error is really what makes this such an awesome community! Thanks guys!

Well, If you have any problems doing anything, lmk.

I like LEDS because they won't be going out anytime soon so it's virtually a onetime replacement but being these plug-in, I can always change colors anytime I want without any hassle.

btw: I might be getting a laguna blue svx in May and I'll be leaning towards blue LEDs in that one.

Johnybeas · #**116** 03-09-2009, 11:04 PM

That is awesome! I'll be in touch definitely, I'll talk to you in may round the end of it, I'll be doing mine. I'm also going to be doing my halos n stuff too! I'm way excited.

nsm484 · #**117** 03-10-2009, 12:07 AM

Amazing, I love the brightness. Now that I have my Polo green, I would love to do this as well, I will keep them green, but, I will get that LED Green which is much more deep green then the current washed out green.

Subix · #**118** 05-07-2009, 12:18 AM

I still like the richness of the blue leds instead of the blue gel jobby job... not that its a bad alternative but the blue looks great the first go round.

Is there any room behind the needle to aim a mini white LED behind it to somewhat illuminate the needles perhaps? I'll probably go that route regardless... I hate reverse white indiglo replacements... but love the blue.

Also the 194 leds on eBay (blue ones) are just plug and play yea?
Thanks

Johnybeas · #**119** 05-07-2009, 06:10 PM

You know what I just realized the only thing we haven't explored changing the colors on? The light ring that goes around the keyhole OUTSIDE the car on the doors! Any ideas??

Johnybeas · #**120** 05-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozykat

looking at your gels, I am trying to tell if the [PRND123] section is blue or still green?

I need to take my gauges apart but I haven't grown so bold... Anyone have a picture of the stock bulbs that plug into the gauges? So I can see what I need to order before removing it.

hey cozy have you figured out if you can do the same thing you did with the others for the gauge bulbs???