Those who did LED swap in stock cluster...
02-04-2013, 07:10 AM
#1
Those who did LED swap in stock cluster... Question for you - I'm in the process of updating my '00 SS cluster with LEDs. I am using "warm white" 194 replacement "bulbs" from a large online company - they have 6 SMD LEDs on them. Needless to say, they are very crisp and "super bright".
I am liking the look - the only problem I am having it they seem to be bleeding over and very lightly illuminating the idiot lights - for example, the Service Engine text is slightly illuminated. It's not too bad, but it's definitely enough to be able to clearly read the text in the dark.
Did anyone else who's swapped run into this? Any solutions? I thought about trying to seal off the "compartments" in the housing better, but if I remember correctly, the clear backing that the gauge faces sit on (the thing the stepper motors are mounted to) also covers right over those idiot light compartments - my guess is some of the light is bleeding through from that clear backing.
I am liking the look - the only problem I am having it they seem to be bleeding over and very lightly illuminating the idiot lights - for example, the Service Engine text is slightly illuminated. It's not too bad, but it's definitely enough to be able to clearly read the text in the dark.
Did anyone else who's swapped run into this? Any solutions? I thought about trying to seal off the "compartments" in the housing better, but if I remember correctly, the clear backing that the gauge faces sit on (the thing the stepper motors are mounted to) also covers right over those idiot light compartments - my guess is some of the light is bleeding through from that clear backing.
02-04-2013, 10:07 AM
#2
Wanted to update in case someone else has a similar problem and finds this in a search...
Looking at various pictures online, it looks like that clear "backing" does NOT go over the idiot light "compartments". I think if I could find some type of flexible opaque material to seal between the compartment and the back of the gauge face, I'd have no light bleed. I am sure I can come up with something. Another potential solution is to paint or otherwise color the edge of the clear backing near the idiot lights to block light from passing through. Heck, maybe I'll layer electrical tape around the edges and see if that works.
Looking at various pictures online, it looks like that clear "backing" does NOT go over the idiot light "compartments". I think if I could find some type of flexible opaque material to seal between the compartment and the back of the gauge face, I'd have no light bleed. I am sure I can come up with something. Another potential solution is to paint or otherwise color the edge of the clear backing near the idiot lights to block light from passing through. Heck, maybe I'll layer electrical tape around the edges and see if that works.
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02-10-2013, 09:53 PM
#8
its MUCH brighter than the pic shows.....the bezel is off so you see red at the top........white LEDs tend to wash out the red film in any of the interior lights so its better to use red for any LED choice
i used a 5 SMD in the dash lights......i feel its a much better choice than the 6 SMD some others recommend ......IMO
02-11-2013, 01:33 AM
#12
its MUCH brighter than the pic shows.....the bezel is off so you see red at the top........white LEDs tend to wash out the red film in any of the interior lights so its better to use red for any LED choice
i used a 5 SMD in the dash lights......i feel its a much better choice than the 6 SMD some others recommend ......IMO
I will agree with the 5 SMD choice however
02-11-2013, 07:03 AM
#13
It's not ridiculous, but it's enough I can easily read the lettering...kind of a silverish color due to the warm white bleeding through.
I have 1 more trick I am going to try, otherwise, I am done. I have been messing with the cluster for far too long!
02-11-2013, 10:08 AM
#14
TECH Enthusiast
another for white with no bleeding into the dummy lights.
he was able to do red because he has a pontiac which has a red film behind the gauges. camaros have a blue film behind them. if you wanted red you would have to take the overlay off the face of the gauges and take the film off behind it.
he was able to do red because he has a pontiac which has a red film behind the gauges. camaros have a blue film behind them. if you wanted red you would have to take the overlay off the face of the gauges and take the film off behind it.
Iis there a step by step on how to do this mod i love the white LED on the stock over lay!