Topic: IC's Interesting LED Gauge Lighting

[Industrial Cafe]

 

The ring is powered by 12v that goes into eight 129 ohm resistors (dropping 12v to 9v) each
resistor powers a group of three 3v LEDs.

[Formosa41]

I have a related question....I had to take the mph gauge apart anyway because one of the little black screws vibrated out and the face was sitting at an angle. So since I was in there anyway I would like to print up a new face for it......Only thing is, I have no  idea how to pull the needle off so I can take the face off to scan. I tried to pull it off but it seams pretty firmly attached. Is that all I need to do is pull harder? Its for a cb350f if that makes a dif.

[Zaipai]

I have a related question....I had to take the mph gauge apart anyway because one of the little black screws vibrated out and the face was sitting at an angle. So since I was in there anyway I would like to print up a new face for it......Only thing is, I have no  idea how to pull the needle off so I can take the face off to scan. I tried to pull it off but it seams pretty firmly attached. Is that all I need to do is pull harder? Its for a cb350f if that makes a dif.

What many do, and it worked pretty nice for me once, is use two spoons, and put one on each side of the needle and pry up. They are not held on by much so its probably just some friction holding it down. Using the spoons is nice because it tends not to bend the needle.

.: Scott :.

[Industrial Cafe]

just pull harder.  I pinched mine off.

if you're worried about bending it take a pair of cheap little tweezers and center them up under the strongest part of the needle so you can have a stronger object to pull on.

[Old75_ratafe]

I have a related question....I had to take the mph gauge apart anyway because one of the little black screws vibrated out and the face was sitting at an angle. So since I was in there anyway I would like to print up a new face for it......Only thing is, I have no  idea how to pull the needle off so I can take the face off to scan. I tried to pull it off but it seams pretty firmly attached. Is that all I need to do is pull harder? Its for a cb350f if that makes a dif.

What many do, and it worked pretty nice for me once, is use two spoons, and put one on each side of the needle and pry up. They are not held on by much so its probably just some friction holding it down. Using the spoons is nice because it tends not to bend the needle.

.: Scott :.

God I idea I do see one potential problem though... I know it would be my luck if I did the spoon thing it would just fly across the room and the gnomes who steel my screws and stuff that fall would immediately grab it and run off... damn gnomes

[BlindJoe]

lay a cardboard box on its side with a towel in it and do it in there

[Old75_ratafe]

lay a cardboard box on its side with a towel in it and do it in there

True.... But gnomes can get through cardboard... although the towel might slow them down enough... 

[Zaipai]

You dump some important looking screws in the corner under a bench, and while the gnomes are busy grabbing them remove the needle and pick it up. Works for me!

Course that could be the beer talking..

.: Scott :.

[BlindJoe]

this might work......

[Zaipai]

I like it Blindjoe, can I just pick that up at any Home Depot? 

.: Scott :.

[Old75_ratafe]

Hmmm I like it.

[Industrial Cafe]

sweet lord, people!

[Old75_ratafe]

sweet lord, people!

What ya act like we jacked your thread to discuss our terrible gnome problem 

[Industrial Cafe]

  

[jaguar]

if you were to use the ccfl set up where would you mount the inverter/power supply?

[Industrial Cafe]

between the tank and the frame?

[jaguar]

not really sure how big the unit would be

do you think that the ccfl is that much better?

[Industrial Cafe]

i don't know, I think it would outlast the individual Chinese LEDs.

[Old75_ratafe]

not really sure how big the unit would be

do you think that the ccfl is that much better?

Most of the ones I've seen are pretty small.  Say 3" L x 1" W x 1/2" thick.

[cameron]

I have been reading this thread lately...
and then I went for a ride last night, and both of my gauges were totally dark!

Since I have to get into them anyway... I ordered a pair of halos.

Thank you for the wonderful idea.

[jaguar]

what size ring would you use in a set of cb350F gauges?

[Industrial Cafe]

same.

[jaguar]

wasent sure as i thought that the CB350F gauges are smaller

the box on the ccfl lights is 2.75x1.1  not sure of the third demetion...lol

they also said that one inverter can light both rings




Now i need to figure out how to get new faces in my gauges.

[Kframe]

I've been googling and reading up on various options, and one thing that's pretty interesting is flexible, cut-able electoluminescent panels.  They're more $$$ than LED rings, but give even cool lighting, and would look awesome I think.

http://www.luminousfilm.com/el_lamp.htm



ebay link

Search for "EL backlight" and you'll find gobs of info.

I'm still trying to find ready made circular ones, would seem a better option than cutting rectangular pieces.
-K

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I've been working with these flexible LED strips lately.  I haven't put one onto a gauge yet, but the 9-inch looks to be about right.  They can also be cut in groups of three.

http://www.oznium.com/led-flex-strips