Official LED Conversion Thread: How To's, Ques, Answers, Etc.

[blancovich]

really... one fast search.... hundreds http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-GRE...QQcmdZViewItem
you should try the search function...lol

thank you
thank you
thank you sir!!!

but honestly I know squat about LEDs, i did came up into this add but the 37/74 (did not know what it meant). but thanks, if you know about it, then you just cleared one of my doubts.
now to the other question... what the hell is daisy chain vs parallel, basic circuitry knowledge explains the parallel concept where voltages are the same across each lead(considering each as a resistance), that is OK, but then how are the leds linked to each other? only saw one resistor, did not see the others, I guess there is no need for more resistors after the first one since the voltage drop is regulated after one and then all the other leds are after that one resistor so the current simply divides evenly across all parallel leds (current divison theory).

just want to be certain, in theory that is the principle, but in practice if I don't know I ask the experts. LOL

[michaelvanle]

The resistor is hidden in the back of the AC Unit. You need one resistor for each set of light you do. I do my work very neatly, so when it all fits together there is no fitment issues. You can't even tell it's been modified looking at it from the outside. Some other people may have wires sticking out all over the place.

I don't have any more pics besides the ones that are up.

[jdc0589]

Michael,

Thanks for the great write up. I read through it before I started the project, but the only difficult part was getting the damn bulb bases figured out. Looks great now though!

I know you said no PM's about the conversion, but this isnt about the actual conversion process. I have a 'logistics' question for you I dont really want to post up. Shoot me a PM if its alright.

Thanks,
Davis Clark

[michaelvanle]

Sure try me if I can answer it.

I just don't want people PM me on basic questions that can be answered here or "do you still do LEDs" or anything stupid.

Just pm me

[NinetyFiveNA]

Has anyone attempted the factory radio? I'm thinking of starting my LED conversion soon and was just wondering about the radio.

[twinturbosupra94]

Im going to try and use 3mm wide-angle viewing LEDs

[Eric95TT]

Has anyone attempted the factory radio? I'm thinking of starting my LED conversion soon and was just wondering about the radio.

I did the radio last year. It is easy to pry open and access the main panel. On it you will find nothing but surface LEDs. They are small rectangular blocks, for lack of a better term.

I removed the old ones by touching them with a soldering iron and literally flicking them off. this left enough solder to attach a new one. I placed it on, touched both ends and viola...light (make sure + and - are correct!)

in the actual lcd screens you have this white plastic that diffuses the LED light. for the part where the FWD, REV arrows and play and pause etc all show, it is easy, you pry up the panel and change the LED's

For the actual radio freq display and cd info part you can't just bend it up. it is attached by wires to both sides. I melted the plastic affixing the wires to the glass, pried it up, changed the LED's and then reassembled it.


The result was blue lights for all the info, white lights indicating what was currently on, and white lights behind the display (this looks the BEST of all)

I have one or two to fix so i can take some pictures later, when I get to it.

Buy the surface mount LED off EBAY. it really is easier than anything because it is all plug-n-play, no resistors, no funny positioning, just replace.

[NinetyFiveNA]

Thanks man, I'll be digging into mine shortly.

[Jayr0071]

Are there any member that have done this mod with different led color? Can you please post some pics and which led you used. Still trying to decide what color i want.

Thanks

[michaelvanle]

What color combo are you looking for? I have done most of them...

[Jayr0071]

These are the different LED combo's for idea's people want to use.

Here's the motherload

What i'm trying to do is decide with which color combo to use. For example, the blue led are awesome on the dash but i'm not quite feeling it on the gauges, tach, speedometer, gas, etc. The white color led, I see there there's two type, a really bright one and a dimmer one, which I think both are bad ass. And there's the red LED, which I think will look pretty bad ass, but would like a picture like the one titled "motherload" so i can pick which ones to go with.
Q. I see that you changed the led lighting on your greddy gauges, can you do this to any gauges?
The reason i'm trying to look at pics is because i want to buy some new gauges and i want them to look similar. These are the gauges i plan on buying. So can you help me out with some pics or suggestions?

[Kite]

Great write up!

How did you manage to chagne the GReddy´s backlight? I thought you couldn´t get it changed since the meters background is green?

[thedarcsage]

long shot...but how do i convert the bulb over the keyhole for the ignition where you use the key?

i can get to it and replace the bulb, but the connection is bad and i can only plug in the bulb one way

i've searched for keyhole, ignition, key, bulb

but "key" is too short of a word to search...

[suprat95]

hi micheal
are you vietnamese , this tuan i have read your led post , i have one question and need your help if you don't mine, at this point i dont known how to place the bulb llow and hi of AC control there any away you can heelp me to finish this job , i have order 3mm led from ebay 1700cmd is that rights one,
thanks micheal

[michaelvanle]

long shot...but how do i convert the bulb over the keyhole for the ignition where you use the key?

i can get to it and replace the bulb, but the connection is bad and i can only plug in the bulb one way

i've searched for keyhole, ignition, key, bulb

but "key" is too short of a word to search...

You have to cut a lot of plastic out in the back, and find a way to make it fit. Here was an idea of what I did.

[HotSupra93]

my ac control lights burned, ill try this led conversion right away . did you check the supra tails led conversion thread? maybe you can post how to get that done, thanks

[MSBTTSUPRA]

with the key hole light, all i did was trim the LED, since theres a lot of room on the top of the LED glass. fits fine,

i also pulled back some plastic on the socket, this allowed the bulb to go all the way in.

Micheal i have 2 issues....

are the license plate bulbs supposed to be kinda loose, or are they supposed to be tight tight????

the ashtray light does not turn on, doesnt matter what bulb i use, does sumthin have to be connected other than than that harness to have it working (the dash is all ripped out). it worked before

[HotSupra93]

the license plate bulbs are supposed to be really tight, at least mine are.

everything sounds easy until it gets to the resistor adding part, what are the colors of the resistors used for the A/C ? how do you connect them? will i need resistors for other dash parts? thanks

[TSILBER]

Is there anyone in Connecticut area that is proficient with this project, perhaps come over for a day and get it done? I'll pay WELL for a full conversion (93 auto)

-Tsilber

[supratter]

great Mike !! I have done this conversion like 4 years ago but never got around to add the additional LED's for all the buttons on the ac .. needless to say my ac panel at night it's missing 4 or 5 "functions" LOL .. now that I check this thread I will re do all of my leds, odo and clock and then I'm done

[michaelvanle]

I'll try to answer a few questions on top of my head if I can remember.

When dealing with the #37 LEDs, I used a solder gun to burn the two sides down so it would fit into the sockets.




------------------

You will need to use a resistor only if you are using the 3mm LEDS (assuming you are not running it in series). If you are running it in series there's no need to use a resistor. A series should consist of 4 LEDs.

12 volts / 4 LEDs = ~3 volts each

----------------------

On the AC Unit, the way I added the resistors was a neat trick I found, after many trial and errors. Because I did a number of LED Conversions for the members on here, my work progressively got better (sorry for the first few people, but I did gave them great prices to try diff colors and whatnots on their stuff ).

I'm not sure if I still have any LEDs or whatever left. If I do, I'll try to mock up how I soldered in the resistors and take different angle shots. I doubt I'll have spare time to do it, so one of these days I might.

-------------------------

I would love to see some of the people that are attempting this take picture of the inside of their instruments as a guideline for other members here.

Some people have pmed me to ask how to do this and that so that they can charge other members for this service. It is all great, but I would like everyone to share information openly instead of trying to "capitalize" on it.

[Deltron Zero]

Hi!

This is a great place to get high quality LEDs

What is the largest bulbs that can be used for the back up lights? Also, what kind (the Sylvania bulb guide is junk)

Thanks!

[blancovich]

I'll try to answer a few questions on top of my head if I can remember.

When dealing with the #37 LEDs, I used a solder gun to burn the two sides down so it would fit into the sockets.




------------------

You will need to use a resistor only if you are using the 3mm LEDS (assuming you are not running it in series). If you are running it in series there's no need to use a resistor. A series should consist of 4 LEDs.

12 volts / 4 LEDs = ~3 volts each

----------------------

On the AC Unit, the way I added the resistors was a neat trick I found, after many trial and errors. Because I did a number of LED Conversions for the members on here, my work progressively got better (sorry for the first few people, but I did gave them great prices to try diff colors and whatnots on their stuff ).

I'm not sure if I still have any LEDs or whatever left. If I do, I'll try to mock up how I soldered in the resistors and take different angle shots. I doubt I'll have spare time to do it, so one of these days I might.

-------------------------

I would love to see some of the people that are attempting this take picture of the inside of their instruments as a guideline for other members here.

Some people have pmed me to ask how to do this and that so that they can charge other members for this service. It is all great, but I would like everyone to share information openly instead of trying to "capitalize" on it.

I may sound "corny", but I applaud you on the last statement. I have to support your comment sir. I am one of many in the process of getting this done. I have not started yet due to lack of time. I hope I can get this done and contribute. This is one of the nicest better mod out there for the do it yourselves guys/gals.
Let us share, and share, and share! Learn, and learn and learn!

[HotSupra93]

I'll try to answer a few questions on top of my head if I can remember.

When dealing with the #37 LEDs, I used a solder gun to burn the two sides down so it would fit into the sockets.



------------------

You will need to use a resistor only if you are using the 3mm LEDS (assuming you are not running it in series). If you are running it in series there's no need to use a resistor. A series should consist of 4 LEDs.

12 volts / 4 LEDs = ~3 volts each

----------------------

On the AC Unit, the way I added the resistors was a neat trick I found, after many trial and errors. Because I did a number of LED Conversions for the members on here, my work progressively got better (sorry for the first few people, but I did gave them great prices to try diff colors and whatnots on their stuff ).

I'm not sure if I still have any LEDs or whatever left. If I do, I'll try to mock up how I soldered in the resistors and take different angle shots. I doubt I'll have spare time to do it, so one of these days I might.

-------------------------

I would love to see some of the people that are attempting this take picture of the inside of their instruments as a guideline for other members here.

Some people have pmed me to ask how to do this and that so that they can charge other members for this service. It is all great, but I would like everyone to share information openly instead of trying to "capitalize" on it.

thank you and i agree with the last statement, i will do this mod and i will post pics and info

[HotSupra93]

To make it easier on yourself, just use the 3mm ones. It works out to be the same. That way you only have to buy one type.

3mm leds dont fit the white plastic where the square leds are, at least mine dont fit through the hole and they are really small.

heres something elsei did regarding the bulbs but i have not tested yet.



thats a #37 led , i wraped the negative and positive legs around the plastic holder, it fits perfectly, do you think it will work? im assuming the bulbs work in 12 v just like the 37 led right? maybe the lighting wont be that good anyways