Center Dash LED conversion
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 
i use 15.5v as the total, since the alternator DOES put out this much on colder days for the first 5-10 mins the car is on. will cause a good hit of damage to the leds if they're on
ok i just got a number not sure if its right heres what i typed in
Total LEDs= how many are hooked in series (usually from 1-7 depending on color)
LED Voltages= forward voltage of ONE led. for red its usually 2v, blue can be around 4v, and white around 5v. do not guess, the led seller should have this info.
LED Current (mA)= all 5mm standard leds are 20mA, if you are using OEM superflux, then it is 70mA
Total Voltage= how much your alternator outputs (range from 12-15.5v)
Series REsistor = how much resistance you need based on the above to not blow your leds. goto radioshack and find the one you need. can also hook multiple resistor together and add the values together.
fyi, you can only connect a certain amount of led in series. once their combined forward voltage exceeds the total being supplied, they will start to dim considerably. for example, you can hook many red led together since its 2v each, if you hook 7 leds that is 7x2 = 14v required, then you still need a lil resistor for them. but for white which is around 5v, you can maybe have 3 connected max and not need a resistor.
ok i just got a number not sure if its right heres what i typed in
Total LEDs= how many are hooked in series (usually from 1-7 depending on color)
LED Voltages= forward voltage of ONE led. for red its usually 2v, blue can be around 4v, and white around 5v. do not guess, the led seller should have this info.
LED Current (mA)= all 5mm standard leds are 20mA, if you are using OEM superflux, then it is 70mA
Total Voltage= how much your alternator outputs (range from 12-15.5v)
Series REsistor = how much resistance you need based on the above to not blow your leds. goto radioshack and find the one you need. can also hook multiple resistor together and add the values together.
fyi, you can only connect a certain amount of led in series. once their combined forward voltage exceeds the total being supplied, they will start to dim considerably. for example, you can hook many red led together since its 2v each, if you hook 7 leds that is 7x2 = 14v required, then you still need a lil resistor for them. but for white which is around 5v, you can maybe have 3 connected max and not need a resistor.
Last edited by gearbox; Feb 6, 2007 at 03:46 PM.
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From: Austin Freaking Texas
Rep Power: 0 hey hey, i know the 04-05 gauges "cant" be disassmbled to do that - but i have an 04 VP, which i believe has the same gauges as the 01-03's
(no tach, just gas, temp., and speed-o)
can these be taken apart to do what you did to yours?
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From: Chattanooga, TN
Rep Power: 257 dont say the 04-05 cant be taken apart. i took my 05 lx cluster apart. you just have to be very careful. there is a little probe between each needle and the cluster. if you pull it off with the needles, youre f'ed. im doing another cluster in about a week or so and im going to do a full diy on it. it will be an 05 as well.
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From: Cali, in the valley
Rep Power: 248 hmmm... now i wana do this with red! i found the DIY but i cant see the pics. what do u put the leds in? is there a plastic piece u have to buy, or does it come from the car?
Last edited by metalviper; Feb 6, 2007 at 07:57 PM.
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 well if you do red, all you gotta do is take the cluster apart and use acetone and qtip to clear the rear of the face so the paint comes off. then the numbers will be clear. now for red, since the stock bulbs output most of the color at red/yellow wavelength, you just need to get some red taillight repair film and apply to the back of the gauges. do two layers for a deep red and one for light red. then put it back and use stock lighting. i did one for another member and it turned out great. you just keep the needles stock too.
and yes all dx/vp clusters can be taken apart no problem. i wouldnt risk it with 03-05 lx/ex there is alot that can go wrong and then goodbye cluster.
here is pic of the red tape cluster with stock bulbs. i also had to even out the light by using pieces of office paper directly behind the spots where the bulbs are otherwise it will look brighter in some areas (hot spots). this is due to the stock paint on the back having a graded filter to even the light and you remove that. the guy was happy with it, and i fired it up before sending to have some pic. they are really dark RED and a lil brighter than stock.
and yes all dx/vp clusters can be taken apart no problem. i wouldnt risk it with 03-05 lx/ex there is alot that can go wrong and then goodbye cluster.
here is pic of the red tape cluster with stock bulbs. i also had to even out the light by using pieces of office paper directly behind the spots where the bulbs are otherwise it will look brighter in some areas (hot spots). this is due to the stock paint on the back having a graded filter to even the light and you remove that. the guy was happy with it, and i fired it up before sending to have some pic. they are really dark RED and a lil brighter than stock.
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From: Cali, in the valley
Rep Power: 248 well im talking about doing the center console (heater, fan, temp control and buttons) sorry. i have an 05 and i like my red gauges! gona order leds for, will it be a darker red?
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From: Denton, TX
Rep Power: 252 for anybody that wants a basic lesson on electricty as it applies to leds, and resistors take a look at this..
MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!
and this page will help with resistor values and can even show you how to wire them up.
Resistor calculator for leds from MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!
MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!
and this page will help with resistor values and can even show you how to wire them up.
Resistor calculator for leds from MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!
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From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 296 hey gear, i need ya to update that DIY i made a LONG time ago with pictures... send me an email.. patrykf@gmail.com and ill send them to you, i know its an old DIY and not that g8 but people are still asking me for pictures and help and I havn't been on there for ages so I think it would be a great idea to update them 
ya thats it.. enjoy... here one of mine
ya thats it.. enjoy... here one of mine 
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: california
Rep Power: 0 hey gearbox i have a "?" u mention that to do this on a 05 civic is more difficult than the 01-03 and i was wondering if you have made this on a 05 civic with the upgraded stereo that the special edition come with?? i really wanna do this to my car and also my needles... but i wanna know what im getting myself into before i do anything..thanks for any help!!
here are some pics of what im talking about sorry for the quality!!
here are some pics of what im talking about sorry for the quality!!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 i tried, but the cluster ended up in trash poor cluster. what a waste of time and leds. im not doing the dash leds again either sorry, it took way too long and frustrated me. but the result is nice. i suggest trying it yourself once you understand the wiring. only way is to try, i didnt know anything at first either but you learn.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 okay lemme go dig for pics. i just used epoxy to hold the circuit. and i soldered them to the stock bulb holes so i could just plug the piece in and have it work. gotta try one way and if it doesnt work, switch the polarity. the hardest part is doing the buttons, cause you have very little room. i ended up drilling alot of hole and running wire, and still the buttons became a bit firmer to press. but they still work so its good. and i forgot to change the indicator lights so now i still have the stupid green ac light. oh well i hardly use it anyway. also i used sandpaper to make the led tops flat instead of domed. it spreads the light better. and i cut a piece of office paper and put it behind the dials in place of the stock colored films, to spread the light more. it looks very even, and with the leds mounted so close like this you can see them very clearly when it starts to get dark. and they dont wash out under streetlamps. that last pic was during the day, they were at first blinding at night so i had to add even more resistor to the red power wires going into the dash pieces since i didnt wanna take it apart again.
Last edited by gearbox; Feb 8, 2007 at 11:27 PM.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 hot glue is fine so is epoxy. just something that doesnt conduct electricity. you dont need to use a strong adhesive, just something to hold the leds in place. make sure everything is soldered well, it would suck if one thing came loose and ruined everything.
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From: Cali, in the valley
Rep Power: 248 ok so im running 4 LEDs (red) in a series connection with the LED's having a 30mA current. will a 180 Ohm resistor be fine in the circuit? or should i use a higher reisitor (like 220 Ohm)?
Last edited by metalviper; Feb 13, 2007 at 11:11 PM.
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From: Charlotte
Rep Power: 292 use 20mA for the calculation. that way they won't be super bright. sure it looks cool, but it will suck driving at night.
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From: Charlotte
Rep Power: 292 Registered!!
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From: Cali, in the valley
Rep Power: 248 Well i bought them off ebay. they are 3mm cause i heard the 5mm were too bright. and they are going into the center console not the dash. the max continuous current is rated at 30mA so should i just use 20mA? it doesnt give anything but the maxes.
