My DIY guage LED's
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,082
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I had an off day yesterday and tackled a project i have been wanting to do for a while. 
I ordered some PLCC-2 size blue LED's a while back.
So, i got out the soldering iron & went to work!...
I have very limited experience with any soldering & absolutely none directly on a circuit board, but i figured worst case scenario if i jacked em up too bad i've have an excuse to buy a set of blue Dakota Digital gauges. But that would cost me $1200, so i took i tried to be careful!...
Those lil boogers are tiny! And i tested em after each one, so it took me most of the day. Here's a few pics:
I ordered some PLCC-2 size blue LED's a while back.
So, i got out the soldering iron & went to work!...
I have very limited experience with any soldering & absolutely none directly on a circuit board, but i figured worst case scenario if i jacked em up too bad i've have an excuse to buy a set of blue Dakota Digital gauges. But that would cost me $1200, so i took i tried to be careful!...
Those lil boogers are tiny! And i tested em after each one, so it took me most of the day. Here's a few pics:
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
That's a great job. I think I will do this when I pull the inner to be painted.
How many LED's did you use on the 4 gauges? From the pics it doesn't look like you replaced the bottom red LED right?
Thanks
How many LED's did you use on the 4 gauges? From the pics it doesn't look like you replaced the bottom red LED right?
Thanks
Last edited by Bowhunter61; Feb 1, 2011 at 11:24 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: N Dak
Yeah we need some more info here. This looks great and I am thinking something that can be done at home. Where did you order from? Which ones exactly did you change? What did you solder with. Adjustable iron? Great job
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Backwoods, Alabama
On the Speedo, there were 2 for odometer, one for red for logo, 4 for outer ring, & 3 for needle.
On tach, there were 7 for outer ring, 3 for needle, one for logo
I had 2 bad ones, and messed up a couple when i first started, so order a few extra!...
And the small gauges use 194 wedge base type bulbs, just get LED replacements. Easy plug & play on those. Look for bulbs that are SMD type LED's They are brighter.
Last edited by thomasbynum; Feb 1, 2011 at 01:45 PM.
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From: Backwoods, Alabama
I started with an el cheapo electric one. Tip was too big & wire was gettin in my way. Makin me even less unsteady.
I went & bought a pencil type butane powered one. Much better, and i could hold it closer to the tip, so my hands shook less. It took a little getting used to because it has a hole where the heat escapes on the tip, so i had to be careful which way it was pointing.
I'll take a pic in the morning. (I'm @ work now for 24 hour shift)...
I started to just post this!...
I went & bought a pencil type butane powered one. Much better, and i could hold it closer to the tip, so my hands shook less. It took a little getting used to because it has a hole where the heat escapes on the tip, so i had to be careful which way it was pointing.
I'll take a pic in the morning. (I'm @ work now for 24 hour shift)...
I started to just post this!...
Last edited by thomasbynum; Feb 1, 2011 at 01:18 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Backwoods, Alabama
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_1808wt_905
And yes, adjustable butane solder gun.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Backwoods, Alabama
I got mine off ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_1808wt_905
Here's another link for orange ones:
http://netsemi.com/p-647532-standard...ge-sprbrt.aspx
Just search for "PLCC-2 led's" and whatever color you want.
I would have ordered from oznium.com , but they only had 13 blue ones in stock. I've used them for other LED's before and have always been pleased.
Here's their site: http://www.oznium.com/plcc-2
Last edited by thomasbynum; Feb 1, 2011 at 01:56 PM.