A really nice looking mod, and a fix for all those with burnt out A/C lights

[azazel61]

after how many km (not miles) do the A/C lights start to burn out? Just trying to figure out how many km my car has actually done as mine are almost all out. My bs odo reads 68,000 lol. (Jap Import)

[Thomas Anderson]

Thats what I am hoping for is the glow of the needles and the deep blue of the controls. If the needles look weird I think I will just pick up a few 3V reds for them.

The 5000mcd Whites are very crisp and clean white light not that semi-lavender white that the 3000mcd make. I wish I had a digital camera, got one for my girl and now I don't get to use it because I am two hours away.

[Eric95TT]

I bought the blue filter from matrix-orbital and am in the process of replacing the odo plastic. I noticed there is a plastic cover directly on the vfd. Do i remove this as well or just leave it?

thanks

[Thomas Anderson]

It is gonna take me another go at it to finish. I have to add LEDs to the circuit. Just repacing the original bulbsisn't bright enough with the UV LEDs so I am going to parallel a few more LEDs to the existing ones. Next weekend I will post picks of the new setup. Right now it is too dim to see with the camera so I will take a pic and stuff when the extras are added.

[BLKMGK]

Originally posted by Eric95TT
I bought the blue filter from matrix-orbital and am in the process of replacing the odo plastic. I noticed there is a plastic cover directly on the vfd. Do i remove this as well or just leave it?

thanks

The brownish filter? Remove it and save it someplace. Then just glue the blue to the hood.

Thomas - what resistor is in the circuit now? It might be too high a resistance and if so could be replaced with a lower resistance piece to brighten them up.

I've not gotten back in there to finish mine up but when I install my RLTC, CF shift boot, and GTS wheel I will get to it. Lots of interior tweaks goin' on!

[KReddy05]

Hey guys, I'm waiting on you to pick out my gauges

Hopefully it will work! If Neo is THE one, then hopefully I can get the Defi BF to go white/red.

Otherwise, its all on you black, if your blue turns out nice, then Apexi EL it is!

[Eric95TT]

Originally posted by BLKMGK
The brownish filter? Remove it and save it someplace. Then just glue the blue to the hood.

That's what I thought. There is clear plastic cover over the display in addition to the brown plastic.

Thanks

[BLKMGK]

Weird, my Odo only had just the one brown filter! Ah well, my Odo came out nice - wish my clock looked as nice but I didn't do anything with it.

Oh, and I confirmed that the blue plastic is NOTHING special - it's not polarized. Grr! Buy whatever color you want from wherever

[KReddy05]

i say screw your other interior stuff and get crackalackin' on this light project, for the good of all other supra owners, of course

[Thomas Anderson]

KReddy05, patience is an essence I want this mod to look awsome.

BLKMGK, I am using a 390 ohm and running a single UV LED for each of the original bulbs. This keeps the LEDs running between 20mA and 30mA when the car is on. I don't want to over do it and burn the LED's filaments which could cause a slow color change over time. Since that doesn't do it for me I am going to parallel more UV LEDs from the resistor to keep them all at 20mA and 3.4V and just use heat shrink to cover the legs and aim each LED into the little backlight windows above each button.

When using the stock bulb loocations the LEDs aren't aimed towards the buttons. They just shine on the back of the housing for the indicator LEDs. It shouldn't be hard to fix. I also need to get me some 3mm LEDs for the indicator LEDs. Those will be no sweat once I get them. It is the back lighting that is a little tricky.

Where is a good place to get the filter plexi for cheap? All we need is a sample size to change the odo and clock. I will look into this from a photography supply store. The filters for backdrop and stage lights should work right?

[BLKMGK]

Backlighting isn't too bad, I'm thinking some reflective foil to help spread the light on my car is worth a shot. running too much current would indeed be "bad" so if you're at the limit now don't go further. I don't know where else to get the blue plastic but Matrix Orbtial is WAAAAY expensive for what you get. Photo or lighting filters ought to work perfectly if you can find the right color.

[jasonlee]

bump

[BLKMGK]

Originally posted by jasonlee
bump

My RLTC shows up this week, I'll be tearing into the dash again when it shows up and finishing my A/C lites. They ARE too bright right now so a few resistors and it ought to be good

[nj94supratt]

I am very interested in doing this job. I have most of the tools required but I am still learning basic electronics.
In the post many people are saying to use different things.
could someone give us beginners a list of everything we need. parts wise to do the whole inside of the car and where to get them. ]
thanks alot the more descriptive the better
matt

[rocked]

I'm curiosu on the UV LEDs. if someone can post some pics?

[dan]

ok i've been having some fun with this mod so far so good - except the cigarette lighter light? how in the *hell* does this thing pop out ? I see two grey tabs on the side of the lighter - but i cant press them in at all? i've tried pressing that little black tab thats recessed on the side of the cylinder...no luck - ive tried removing the little washer on the end of the cylinder - all it does it pop out the terminal...ok so any ideas here? i don't want to break the thing...so dunno...

thanks
-dan

[BLKMGK]

I ended up having to trash part of th eCig lighter socket, drilled it out and everything. Try doing a half turn to remove it - I cannot exactly recall how it came out...

[supratter]

hey BLKMGK, I'm sorry to bother you but I really need to know what can I do ,I followed your instructions on how to do the blue conversion and it is pretty simple , only one question (I'm using 4000mcd ultra blue led's ) by replacing the a/c bulbs with led's do you get everything to light up good ?? my question is because I bought the led's with the resistors to make them work with 12v and I get almost everything to iluminate except for the a/c button and the first one from left to right , seems like I need another led to light up these two (btw on the top a/c controller I replaced the one bulb as well and the off button and rear defroster are not getting any lighting at all)

any thoughts??

should I just get any higher mcd led's??

also I replaced the light bulbs on my greddy boost gauge and it looks awesome , thanks for the tips

[BLKMGK]

Check your PM. I think point lite sources like the Superbrite LEDs might be too focused. Something more diffused might be better. For now I'm leaving mine but if anyone finds an LED that's BRIGHT AND DIFFUSE I'm interested

[MKIV1jzswap]

ok i have hated the color of my interior lites since the first day a bought my mkiv, so whoever figured this out is a god. i love the idea but i would also love to see a detailed write up with pics...

[Supra TT Myster]

Just finished off doing my mates car, this one i have done red and its all done with LEDs even the gauge cluster!

[Supra TT Myster]

even the blitz id metres i have changed!

[piwko4]

i just did the uv leds in my car. they are a little to much on the purple side for me. i think im going to change it to blue or maybe mix it up a little, like leave the def uv and the rest blue, or do the buttons blue and the activation lights uv. i dont know, please leave some feed back.

ps, i didnt do the buttons yet cause i didnt get the resistors. yet. ill also do a write up on how i did it if anyone is interested.









the night pics dont look purple but are. the day pic is purple.

[AtomicFabio]

It would be great if you could post a step by step review on how to do it!

Awesome job!

[JS4KIKZ]

Originally posted by AtomicFabio
It would be great if you could post a step by step review on how to do it!

Awesome job!