Harmon Kardon and gauge color change
#1
12-01-2017, 07:52 PM
Harmon Kardon and gauge color change
Just making this post to put a little information out there for the next guy, it's NOT a how-to. I couldn't find any info on what diodes were needed to change to color in the stock radio.
The gauges are simple enough, worst part is disassembly. There's a reasonable video here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffP1...ature=youtu.be ) to get them apart. Once apart it's 5 PLCC2 diodes in your color of choice for each gauge face. 2 more for the odometer display and 3 for each of the needles. If you want to change any of the other indicator diodes, you'll need PLCC4 diodes. I chose to leave them alone.
The radio comes apart pretty easy, faceplate is held on with clips only then a few screws to pull the circuit board out. 4 tabs hold the display to the board then you can swing it out of the way to see the 26 leds that illuminate it. The 15 leds that illuminate each button are very easy to change.
The LEDs required for the radio buttons are: https://everlightamericas.com/round-...pl3527wa3.html
The LEDs required for the faceplate illumination are: https://www.mouser.com/search/Produc...WY87CT1U13K8LZ
You can obviously choose a different color, though I'd make sure they're at least as bright (mcd rating) as the ones I listed. The faceplate leds I used are 560mcd and I'd prefer a little brighter. I'm happy with my turnout, but I might try these next time. I didn't buy them based on the very high color temperature but I think they could be good.
Again, just putting some info out there as I had to tear into my radio and then do some google-fu to find the diodes I needed.
The gauges are simple enough, worst part is disassembly. There's a reasonable video here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffP1...ature=youtu.be ) to get them apart. Once apart it's 5 PLCC2 diodes in your color of choice for each gauge face. 2 more for the odometer display and 3 for each of the needles. If you want to change any of the other indicator diodes, you'll need PLCC4 diodes. I chose to leave them alone.
The radio comes apart pretty easy, faceplate is held on with clips only then a few screws to pull the circuit board out. 4 tabs hold the display to the board then you can swing it out of the way to see the 26 leds that illuminate it. The 15 leds that illuminate each button are very easy to change.
The LEDs required for the radio buttons are: https://everlightamericas.com/round-...pl3527wa3.html
The LEDs required for the faceplate illumination are: https://www.mouser.com/search/Produc...WY87CT1U13K8LZ
You can obviously choose a different color, though I'd make sure they're at least as bright (mcd rating) as the ones I listed. The faceplate leds I used are 560mcd and I'd prefer a little brighter. I'm happy with my turnout, but I might try these next time. I didn't buy them based on the very high color temperature but I think they could be good.
Again, just putting some info out there as I had to tear into my radio and then do some google-fu to find the diodes I needed.
Last edited by caulk04; 12-01-2017 at 07:53 PM.
#2
12-02-2017, 01:59 PM
Stellar HDF Member
#4
12-03-2017, 08:32 PM
It's not that awful bad if you've done soldering before and are comfortable. I'm far from an expert and my tools are a cheap adjustable iron with fine tips, fine flux core solder, solder sucker and the most important, GOOD fine tweezers. I've done my whole Grand Cherokee dash in white LED also which was much the same process so the $40 or so in tools has paid off.
#5
12-05-2017, 03:05 AM
#6
12-05-2017, 05:07 AM
#7
06-04-2018, 11:43 AM
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Leds....
It's not that awful bad if you've done soldering before and are comfortable. I'm far from an expert and my tools are a cheap adjustable iron with fine tips, fine flux core solder, solder sucker and the most important, GOOD fine tweezers. I've done my whole Grand Cherokee dash in white LED also which was much the same process so the $40 or so in tools has paid off.
i have done the gauges blue with white needles and installed aftermarket radio but would like to go back to original radio.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated......Stuck in a rabbit hole! 😂
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#8
06-05-2018, 04:41 PM
Stage II
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: new jersey
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Just making this post to put a little information out there for the next guy, it's NOT a how-to. I couldn't find any info on what diodes were needed to change to color in the stock radio.
The gauges are simple enough, worst part is disassembly. There's a reasonable video here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffP1...ature=youtu.be ) to get them apart. Once apart it's 5 PLCC2 diodes in your color of choice for each gauge face. 2 more for the odometer display and 3 for each of the needles. If you want to change any of the other indicator diodes, you'll need PLCC4 diodes. I chose to leave them alone.
The radio comes apart pretty easy, faceplate is held on with clips only then a few screws to pull the circuit board out. 4 tabs hold the display to the board then you can swing it out of the way to see the 26 leds that illuminate it. The 15 leds that illuminate each button are very easy to change.
The LEDs required for the radio buttons are: https://everlightamericas.com/round-...pl3527wa3.html
The LEDs required for the faceplate illumination are: https://www.mouser.com/search/Produc...WY87CT1U13K8LZ
You can obviously choose a different color, though I'd make sure they're at least as bright (mcd rating) as the ones I listed. The faceplate leds I used are 560mcd and I'd prefer a little brighter. I'm happy with my turnout, but I might try these next time. I didn't buy them based on the very high color temperature but I think they could be good.
Again, just putting some info out there as I had to tear into my radio and then do some google-fu to find the diodes I needed.
The gauges are simple enough, worst part is disassembly. There's a reasonable video here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffP1...ature=youtu.be ) to get them apart. Once apart it's 5 PLCC2 diodes in your color of choice for each gauge face. 2 more for the odometer display and 3 for each of the needles. If you want to change any of the other indicator diodes, you'll need PLCC4 diodes. I chose to leave them alone.
The radio comes apart pretty easy, faceplate is held on with clips only then a few screws to pull the circuit board out. 4 tabs hold the display to the board then you can swing it out of the way to see the 26 leds that illuminate it. The 15 leds that illuminate each button are very easy to change.
The LEDs required for the radio buttons are: https://everlightamericas.com/round-...pl3527wa3.html
The LEDs required for the faceplate illumination are: https://www.mouser.com/search/Produc...WY87CT1U13K8LZ
You can obviously choose a different color, though I'd make sure they're at least as bright (mcd rating) as the ones I listed. The faceplate leds I used are 560mcd and I'd prefer a little brighter. I'm happy with my turnout, but I might try these next time. I didn't buy them based on the very high color temperature but I think they could be good.
Again, just putting some info out there as I had to tear into my radio and then do some google-fu to find the diodes I needed.
did you have to change resistors?
#10
07-03-2018, 10:43 AM
https://www.digikey.com/products/en/...=1&pageSize=25
Look through that search for your button illumination, try applying a filter by the color you want.
Look through that search for your button illumination, try applying a filter by the color you want.
Last edited by caulk04; 07-03-2018 at 10:54 AM.