View Full Version : LED Cluster Lighting
BigCars4Ever
02-13-2009, 08:20 PM
I wanted to light my cluster with led's. I tried a couple of different types of 194 type led replacement bulbs but they just don't cut it. The illumination is very uneven. I took the cluster apart and now I see why. The bulbs light the display through two mechanisims. Some areas receive light directly from the bulb. Other parts receive light through a light pipe. LED light is so directional that the light mostly enters the light pipe closest to the light source and then focuses on one small area of the instrument. I'm sure it's possible to do but will require a lot of trial and error and experiments with materials to help reflect and diffuse the light. I tried to post pictures but there doesn't seem to be any way to upload images anymore. Anyways point of all of this rambling.... save your money, the 194 replacement bulbs won't work.
larryo340
02-13-2009, 09:26 PM
I tried the LED 194 bulbs also, both the regular and inverted wedge bulbs, and I wasn't happy either. I recently put in custom white face gauge faces and used SMD LED strips to light it.
See the whole write up with pictures here on my thread on CV.net http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=120529&Number=1657088#Post1657088
Here are a few teaser pictures:
Daylight, no lights on
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/larryo340/White%20Face%20Gauges/100_4583.jpg
Taken around dusk with lights on..
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/larryo340/White%20Face%20Gauges/100_4584.jpg
Taken at night, this is where a DSLR would help...
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/larryo340/White%20Face%20Gauges/100_4588.jpg
BigCars4Ever
02-14-2009, 07:50 AM
Larry, I read you post and have some questions. Where did you get the strips? They appear to be pretty flexible. Did you keep the 194 leds in also? I see them is some of your pics but they are not lit.
larryo340
02-14-2009, 08:23 AM
Larry, I read you post and have some questions. Where did you get the strips? They appear to be pretty flexible. Did you keep the 194 leds in also? I see them is some of your pics but they are not lit.
I got them from here (http://cgi.ebay.com/1x-12V-30cm-White-5050-SMD-LED-Strip-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ400031194065 QQihZ027QQcategoryZ58018QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIte m) , and yes they are very flexible, and you can shorten the strips to use less bulbs if needed. I only kept the inverted LED 194 bulbs at the outer sockets not in the sockets in the picture. I should have used two strips on the top I think that would've worked out better, but I wanted to get the cluster in the dash and didn't want to wait for it to be shipped. The seller has little double male connectors to connect multiple stips together and I asked for one, they gave me a couple when I bought the two strips, and shipping time really wasn't bad at 10 days from China. This setup is very bright and no comparison to the regular or wedge LED bulbs, As I in that thread over at CV.net my only real complaint is that I would've liked the speedeometer needle to be brighter.
I'm sure if your put in 3 strips with the stock faces it'll give more than enough light.
One other thing...don't waste your money or time and try the SMD 5 LED wedge bulbs they get very hot. I bought one to check and in a matter of a minute it got extremely hot, so much so that you couldn't even touch it, and some guys over at CV.net said they burn out very quickly.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm288/larryo340/White%20Face%20Gauges/100_4560-1-1.jpg
Just to repeat, if I used two strips (3 total) instead of one wrapping around the sides and top there wouldn't be a need for any addition bulbs.
BigCars4Ever
02-14-2009, 09:37 AM
I used these in the oil and volt guages and they worked well. http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_60&products_id=525 They claim 0.35w. Was each strip 30cm?
larryo340
02-14-2009, 02:05 PM
I used these in the oil and volt guages and they worked well. http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_60&products_id=525 They claim 0.35w. Was each strip 30cm?
I'll bet the inverted LED worked well in the oil and volt gauges because they are in such a small housing.
Yes each strip was 30cm long, for more information take a look at the ebay auction for the strips by clicking on the link in my above post.
BigCars4Ever
03-04-2009, 05:57 PM
I ordered the leds in the attached image today. They are 96cm long. That will be enough to go around the periphery of each gauge and under the "MARAUDER" writing on the speedo. The only concern I have is that there is a large circuit card under the 3 & 4 of the tach. That's why they are always dim. I may have to add leds that point directly at that area. Will post pics once I get them in and try them.
BigCars4Ever
03-17-2009, 06:15 PM
Got the leds. They aren't quite what I pictured. They are very thick and tall. In an effort to get them to bend where I needed them the strip broke. Before that I had them test fit and had some dim areas and the "Marauder" did not light up much at all. I have another plan to use small clusters of 3 led's. It's nice not to be in a rush!
Richy04
03-18-2009, 05:32 AM
I use this calculator to make single LED lights for radio restoration. There are several different types of LEDS, diffused and front firing are the most common. A diffused has a light patina on it to spread the light out. A front firing is directive and has a focus lens on the front. There are many others but you must pay careful attention to the voltage and current supplied to it. You can make your own lights, but you must pick the right bulb for the right application as well. 194's in led style generally make light from the side and not the top so they stink for dash use.
A nifty little trick is to buy some cheap mini flashlights and remove the reflector from it and insert the LED thru it, this will spread the light out more, based on the position of the LED in the reflector, so in essence you can tune it to give you the light right where you want it. If you go on line, there are LED only sellers that have super bright LEDS and you can buy them in bulk, build the LED(s) into a 194 socket with the appropriate resistor and have plenty of light, it just takes a little patience..
LED calculator for single LEDs (http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz)
ckadiddle
03-18-2009, 06:51 AM
For those of you that have switched to LEDs for gauge light, cluster lighting etc - do the LEDs dim and brighten with the thumbwheel just like the OEM bulbs did?
BigCars4Ever
03-18-2009, 09:30 AM
Yes they do.
larryo340
03-20-2009, 08:18 AM
for those of you that have switched to leds for gauge light, cluster lighting etc - do the leds dim and brighten with the thumbwheel just like the oem bulbs did?
yes they do.
^^^^^^ +1
Dumb question but where is the benefit in installing leds in cluster?
BigCars4Ever
03-23-2009, 12:27 PM
Just a more modern looking light where it leaks through for the odometer and around the gauges.
larryo340
03-23-2009, 01:36 PM
Dumb question but where is the benefit in installing leds in cluster?
For me it's that they're brighter than filament bulbs
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