Who wants brighter gauges on a 02-03? Step inside...
02-24-2005, 12:41 PM
#1
Who wants brighter gauges on a 02-03? Step inside...
I am currently working on this ingenious idea, and should be done in approx 1-2 weeks. Very little effort will be needed on your part to install this. I am currently running a series of tests at this point, and will not release any updated information/pictures until I deem them worthy. I ran out of LED's, so I am awaiting my next shipment.
Disassembling the gauges will not be required at this time, unless I feel that it is completely necessary, or if you want a very bright white gauges. The reason for this, it that there is a blue coating under the gauges that make the color of the gauges look blue when you put a white light behind it.
I am doing my best to get these done ASAP for you guys, and if they come out good enough, I will sell them at a very fair price, depending on how many leds I use. Probably about ($20-$30)
I will post Pictures within the week, keep your eye out for this thread.
-Chris
Disassembling the gauges will not be required at this time, unless I feel that it is completely necessary, or if you want a very bright white gauges. The reason for this, it that there is a blue coating under the gauges that make the color of the gauges look blue when you put a white light behind it.
I am doing my best to get these done ASAP for you guys, and if they come out good enough, I will sell them at a very fair price, depending on how many leds I use. Probably about ($20-$30)
I will post Pictures within the week, keep your eye out for this thread.
-Chris
02-24-2005, 12:42 PM
#2
Originally Posted by silvermax2k2
I am currently working on this ingenious idea, and should be done in approx 1-2 weeks. Very little effort will be needed on your part to install this. I am currently running a series of tests at this point, and will not release any updated information/pictures until I deem them worthy. I ran out of LED's, so I am awaiting my next shipment.
Disassembling the gauges will not be required at this time, unless I feel that it is completely necessary, or if you want a very bright white gauges. The reason for this, it that there is a blue coating under the gauges that make the color of the gauges look blue when you put a white light behind it.
I am doing my best to get these done ASAP for you guys, and if they come out good enough, I will sell them at a very fair price, depending on how many leds I use. Probably about ($20-$30)
I will post Pictures within the week, keep your eye out for this thread.
-Chris
Disassembling the gauges will not be required at this time, unless I feel that it is completely necessary, or if you want a very bright white gauges. The reason for this, it that there is a blue coating under the gauges that make the color of the gauges look blue when you put a white light behind it.
I am doing my best to get these done ASAP for you guys, and if they come out good enough, I will sell them at a very fair price, depending on how many leds I use. Probably about ($20-$30)
I will post Pictures within the week, keep your eye out for this thread.
-Chris
02-24-2005, 12:58 PM
#4
Originally Posted by Sammzway
I'm not a 5.5 gen member, but do i still count?
02-24-2005, 01:12 PM
#7
Originally Posted by Sizzo718
I'm interested... however, i want to see results before deciding.
I certianly understand this concern. I am just gathering intrest at this point, and if it is popular enough, then I will post the outcome. stay tuned.
02-24-2005, 01:21 PM
#8
Originally Posted by silvermax2k2
Hmm... I am not sure. I would have to do some research for you. If not, then I will spend some more money and see if I can find an old 00-01 gauge cluster and find out if it is set up the same. But I will do that after I first finish this current project, then I will attempt another year.
02-24-2005, 08:09 PM
#14
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
Where do we have blue in our guages? I'd like to see it done though.
Just for you polak... here are a few pics of the blue in the gauges you wanted to see. Be patient guys, and keep showing interest, and I will have more pics in no time.
Just some sample pics. This cluster was bought off another org member. The unit was not in the best of condition, but it does not matter. This is just a dummy unit I am using so I do not have to be without my car this whole time I am working on it. I will keep all of you updated, and hopefully the new shipment of leds will arrive shortly so I can get working on this again.
-Chris
02-24-2005, 08:32 PM
#15
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
whoa! that blue "film" is on OUR gauges?? i would have never guessed...i can tell that its on the 5th gen, cuz they have that blue look on the edges, but ours are all...not really white...halogen colored i guess you could call it...
!!!! Im def interested. 
02-25-2005, 05:27 AM
#20
Yes, the blue undercoating is what makes it so dim. You need to strip it away in order to make it brighter. I used 194-bulbs, I was not so thrilled how it turned out with LEDs. The LEDs to produce as much light output and will leave you with a localized lightint effect. In short, I'd be VERY impresssed to see if LED would work...I know I could not make them work. Here's how mine turned out, HOW-TO can be found on my cardomain page.
HOW-TO HERE!
HOW-TO HERE!
02-25-2005, 05:31 AM
#21
Originally Posted by Max20SE00
I have a 2000 but I would be interested if you could do it for that year alos. Keep us posted!
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
Where do we have blue in our guages? I'd like to see it done though.
02-25-2005, 06:14 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,529
BustaReims!! you rock dude, that looks sweeeeeeeetttt!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted by BustaReims
Yes, the blue undercoating is what makes it so dim. You need to strip it away in order to make it brighter. I used 194-bulbs, I was not so thrilled how it turned out with LEDs. The LEDs to produce as much light output and will leave you with a localized lightint effect. In short, I'd be VERY impresssed to see if LED would work...I know I could not make them work. Here's how mine turned out, HOW-TO can be found on my cardomain page.
HOW-TO HERE!
HOW-TO HERE!
02-25-2005, 07:04 AM
#24
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
I have a 2003 SE and I don't have any blue in my guages 
Why does that one.
Why does that one.You sure about that? All 5th and 5.5 gen models have a blue underlay. Have you taken out the gauges and physically inspected the back? My gauges look that way from stripping the blue UNDERcoating. The gauges consist of 3 layers: The main face overlay (all the gauges, which in the case of an SE are silver & blue), the main substrate layer and finally the blue undercoating.
If my method is followed and and ALL SE gauges will turn out with the same results!
02-25-2005, 07:38 AM
#26
Originally Posted by BustaReims
Jesus, dude - what the hell did you do to remove the needles? You gauges looks scratched to $hit.
And did you calibrate your needles prior to removal???? 
Originally Posted by silvermax2k2
This cluster was bought off another org member. The unit was not in the best of condition, but it does not matter.
As per what I stated in my previous post, this is not my gauge cluster I used in my car. As you can see, this is from an automatic... I have a 6 speed. This is the condition in which I bought them, and once again like I previously noted, it does not matter to me since I will not be using them in my car... this is just for testing. Please read all comments before you start bashing. Thanks.-Chris
02-25-2005, 07:41 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,529
Originally Posted by BustaReims
Jesus, dude - what the hell did you do to remove the needles? You gauges looks scratched to $hit.
And did you calibrate your needles prior to removal???? LMAO...I tihnk those were just bought for testing by sil. I dont think he's useing them.
02-25-2005, 08:02 AM
#28
Originally Posted by silvermax2k2
This is the condition in which I bought them, and once again like I previously noted, it does not matter to me since I will not be using them in my car... this is just for testing. Thanks.-Chris
Just make sure you have them needles calibrated before you remove them on your. cluster...
02-25-2005, 08:11 AM
#29
Originally Posted by BustaReims
Dammit - BustaReims =
Just make sure you have them needles calibrated before you remove them on your. cluster...
Just make sure you have them needles calibrated before you remove them on your. cluster...
Indeed. I have done gauges many a time, I know how to set them.
02-25-2005, 07:57 PM
#32
I just spoke with the person i deal with for LED's. He is located in hong kong, so shipping takes 1-2 weeks. 
i am doing my best to see if he can offer me a faster shipping rate so i can get this done for you guys, and post up some pics. just an update.
i am doing my best to see if he can offer me a faster shipping rate so i can get this done for you guys, and post up some pics. just an update.
03-27-2005, 07:51 PM
#36
Sorry guys, I have been meaning to update the thread, but things have been busy over here. I got the new batch of LED's in, and did some test placements. My orig. idea didn't pan out. I was rather upset. However my dreams are not completely shot down as of yet, I still have yet another idea on how to get this to work.
I have been working a lot, and been rather "down" lately, so I haven't been in the mood to work on projects. I am also working on another TV project for my car... which does take some presidence over the LED project. However I will devote more time to this project as you are still showing intrest in this.
I do apologize, and i will be more considerate of you all from here on in, good news or bad.
-Chris
I was rather upset. However my dreams are not completely shot down as of yet, I still have yet another idea on how to get this to work. I have been working a lot, and been rather "down" lately, so I haven't been in the mood to work on projects. I am also working on another TV project for my car... which does take some presidence over the LED project. However I will devote more time to this project as you are still showing intrest in this.
I do apologize, and i will be more considerate of you all from here on in, good news or bad.
-Chris
03-28-2005, 05:35 AM
#38
Originally Posted by makavelisk
Thats for the update Chris.....keep at it and keep us updated. Im going to try working on getting mine brighter without fuking anything up.
No problem man. see, the main problem I keep running into is the "user friendly" portion of this project. I want it so you all can just get the produt i made, and plug it in. but it is much harder then it sounds.
taking apart the gauges is a PITA because you need to re-calabrate them once you put them back together. I don't want to deal with it, and i am sure others feel the same way i do. If i was only making this for myself, then i'd be done a long time ago. 
but i will devote this tues, or next sat to working on them.
