DIY White Gauges -- part 4?
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DIY White Gauges -- part 4?
i dunno where we left off [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] but, for now, i'm kinda stuck...
Before Install
as you can see here, the gauges would (and do) look PERFECT during the day. these are a new set i printed the other day, which actually replace the originals. i scanned my original gauges and then re-created everything on top so i can add stuff, change colors, etc.
Night Illumination
now, at night, things get ugly. i knew the lighting was gonna be ghetto until i could come up with SOME solution... but i'm still working on finding that solution! what you see is 6 high-intensity 3000mcd red LEDs shining through 4 holes in the black visor part of the cluster. a layer of hot glue diffuses the light so it illuminates evenly across the tach and speedometer. and the camera captures pretty damn close to what it looks like to the eye -- so yes, it's THAT bright! the lights are wired to the 12v/lighter socket, so unfortunately they come on whenever the car is. conclusion: i'm not satisfied yet.
Night - Cruisin'
from where i sit, i can't see the actual LEDs -- until i hit a bump or slouch a little bit. then they become annoying as hell -- i keep thinking some warning light is on or whatever! the rice factor is pretty high -- you may be able to see the "TURBO" and "TCS" (traction control) indicators i added to the warning light panel, and everyone notices you because your face is bathed in a warm red light. (and the recent addition of the "invisible intake" -- removal of the resonator -- may contribute to the overall riceyness as well [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] but anyways, there still is a lot of work to be done. for now, i might just print up a new set of gauges, though this time white text on black background to use the stock illumination. but, as always, stay tuned... i WILL be back!
Before Install
as you can see here, the gauges would (and do) look PERFECT during the day. these are a new set i printed the other day, which actually replace the originals. i scanned my original gauges and then re-created everything on top so i can add stuff, change colors, etc.
Night Illumination
now, at night, things get ugly. i knew the lighting was gonna be ghetto until i could come up with SOME solution... but i'm still working on finding that solution! what you see is 6 high-intensity 3000mcd red LEDs shining through 4 holes in the black visor part of the cluster. a layer of hot glue diffuses the light so it illuminates evenly across the tach and speedometer. and the camera captures pretty damn close to what it looks like to the eye -- so yes, it's THAT bright! the lights are wired to the 12v/lighter socket, so unfortunately they come on whenever the car is. conclusion: i'm not satisfied yet.
Night - Cruisin'
from where i sit, i can't see the actual LEDs -- until i hit a bump or slouch a little bit. then they become annoying as hell -- i keep thinking some warning light is on or whatever! the rice factor is pretty high -- you may be able to see the "TURBO" and "TCS" (traction control) indicators i added to the warning light panel, and everyone notices you because your face is bathed in a warm red light. (and the recent addition of the "invisible intake" -- removal of the resonator -- may contribute to the overall riceyness as well [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] but anyways, there still is a lot of work to be done. for now, i might just print up a new set of gauges, though this time white text on black background to use the stock illumination. but, as always, stay tuned... i WILL be back!
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Roseville, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Love the gauges... but I totally agree, the lighting needs some work.
Here's an idea... well something you might consider using. The trick will be figuring out how to use it.
Neon Tape... Came across this stuff a few months back and by the looks of it, it might be an awsome way to illuminate your digits, etc. It's 12v and no heat. It's flat (0.020 inches thick) and totally bendable and customizable.
Now, any ideas how to use it to light up the numbers and stuff?
Here's an idea... well something you might consider using. The trick will be figuring out how to use it.
Neon Tape... Came across this stuff a few months back and by the looks of it, it might be an awsome way to illuminate your digits, etc. It's 12v and no heat. It's flat (0.020 inches thick) and totally bendable and customizable.
Now, any ideas how to use it to light up the numbers and stuff?
Registered!!
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From: Tucson, Arizona, US
Rep Power: 0 To solve your problem about the led's coming on when you turn the car on, you should just tap the power wire(s) for the led's into the wire harness for the guage cluster. Just tap into the same ones that people have used for their indiglos. That way they will only come on when you turn your lights on.
Also, what did you print those on? If it is just paper you printed on, that may warp and also not give you the best illumination from behind. Maybe you should try printing on some acetate sheets. That way the indicator/warning lights will be very clear when lit from behind.
What kind of ink is that? I only ask this because the color may fade from long-term exposure to sunlight. It would suck to have gone and done all this work only to have to print new ones all the time because the sun faded them.
Other than that, the gauges look awesome man. Good Job!! I am way to lazy to even attempt to do something like that.
Also, what did you print those on? If it is just paper you printed on, that may warp and also not give you the best illumination from behind. Maybe you should try printing on some acetate sheets. That way the indicator/warning lights will be very clear when lit from behind.
What kind of ink is that? I only ask this because the color may fade from long-term exposure to sunlight. It would suck to have gone and done all this work only to have to print new ones all the time because the sun faded them.
Other than that, the gauges look awesome man. Good Job!! I am way to lazy to even attempt to do something like that.
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: San Antonio, Texas
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Yeah, it can't be just some photo quality paper. It has to be something very transparent. You should probably look around for something like that. Oh yeah, love the last picture.
DIY King
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From: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, US
Rep Power: 419 Are you spending all this time doing this because you want to sell these in the future? I would. All you need is a way to illuminate them and you will have a really nice product. Do you know how much you stand to make if you get it right? A ton! Especially if you come up with a bunch of designs.
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,883
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From: Murrieta, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Are you spending all this time doing this because you want to sell these in the future? I would. All you need is a way to illuminate them and you will have a really nice product. Do you know how much you stand to make if you get it right? A ton! Especially if you come up with a bunch of designs.
Yonk... my idea now... haha. j/k. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] Besides the light it looks good dude.
Yonk... my idea now... haha. j/k. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] Besides the light it looks good dude.
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