Author Topic: IC's Interesting LED Gauge Lighting (Read 59791 times)

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #100 on:** April 09, 2010, 08:40:21 AM »

Quote from: Industrial Cafe on March 31, 2010, 07:25:23 AM

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 · « **Reply #101 on:** May 09, 2010, 11:08:37 PM »

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 · « **Reply #102 on:** May 10, 2010, 05:26:38 AM »

Quote from: Formosa41 on May 09, 2010, 11:08:37 PM

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 · « **Reply #103 on:** May 10, 2010, 05:27:36 AM »

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 · « **Reply #104 on:** May 10, 2010, 02:36:19 PM »

Quote from: Zaipai on May 10, 2010, 05:26:38 AM

Quote from: Formosa41 on May 09, 2010, 11:08:37 PM
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 · « **Reply #105 on:** May 10, 2010, 02:41:17 PM »

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

Old75_ratafe · « **Reply #106 on:** May 10, 2010, 03:00:56 PM »

Quote from: BlindJoe on May 10, 2010, 02:41:17 PM

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 · « **Reply #107 on:** May 10, 2010, 04:42:31 PM »

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 · « **Reply #108 on:** May 10, 2010, 08:43:02 PM »

this might work......

Zaipai · « **Reply #109 on:** May 11, 2010, 04:42:39 AM »

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

.: Scott :.

Old75_ratafe · « **Reply #110 on:** May 11, 2010, 10:47:22 PM »

Hmmm I like it.

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #111 on:** May 12, 2010, 05:27:03 AM »

sweet lord, people!

Old75_ratafe · « **Reply #112 on:** May 13, 2010, 09:45:47 PM »

Quote from: Industrial Cafe on May 12, 2010, 05:27:03 AM

sweet lord, people!

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

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #113 on:** May 14, 2010, 08:06:22 AM »

jaguar · « **Reply #114 on:** May 14, 2010, 02:25:14 PM »

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

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #115 on:** May 14, 2010, 06:49:15 PM »

between the tank and the frame?

jaguar · « **Reply #116 on:** May 14, 2010, 06:58:28 PM »

not really sure how big the unit would be

do you think that the ccfl is that much better?

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #117 on:** May 15, 2010, 05:57:26 AM »

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

Old75_ratafe · « **Reply #118 on:** May 15, 2010, 11:34:21 PM »

Quote from: jaguar on May 14, 2010, 06:58:28 PM

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 · « **Reply #119 on:** May 15, 2010, 11:42:20 PM »

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 · « **Reply #120 on:** May 16, 2010, 07:33:30 PM »

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

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #121 on:** May 17, 2010, 06:46:26 PM »

same.

jaguar · « **Reply #122 on:** May 17, 2010, 07:48:03 PM »

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 · « **Reply #123 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:54:27 PM »

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 · « **Reply #124 on:** May 18, 2010, 02:08:58 AM »

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

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Author Topic: IC's Interesting LED Gauge Lighting (Read 59791 times)

Formosa41