8 replies to this topic

[Keaton85]

Just completed swapping out the incandescent bulbs with blue LEDs in my head unit. Looks better then the photo since I could not get the right settings on the camera for the life of me! Time will tell if the LEDs will hold up as the output voltage is about 3.6V and these LEDs I believe should rate around 3.2V forward at 20ma.



It's a lot more blue then the photo, worked out well I think! Now I just need to start working on the rest of the dash, I will likely just make all the T4 LEDs since they are way to expensive online!

[cheesecake]

that looks cool....any write up on how its done?

[Keaton85]

Everything is straight forward as far as installing the LEDs for everything EXCEPT on the display. You just take the head unit apart to get down to the PCB then desolder the bulbs and solder in LEDs. I wend with PLCC2 SMDs as they looked like the best option but I bet regular LED's would work as well. Maybe 5MM ones.

The display need to be desoldered and it's a major PITA unless you have the skills and tools to do it. You have to desolder about 50ish pins and then bend the display over on the other pins to get to the 4 lights behind it.

['12brotruckmofo]

Wow, that actually looks really classy!

[Serge]

Good work! I used OSRAM PLCC-2 LEDs for my climate control and trip computer. Best way to get it done, by far. Pics of the process?

[Keaton85]

Thanks!, it looks even better in person. I wish that I had a better understanding of my camera to get the correct color and light balance. It's not easy to take photos of LED's and get their true color and light output.

Serge, on 05 December 2011 - 09:23 PM, said:

Good work! I used OSRAM PLCC-2 LEDs for my climate control and trip computer. Best way to get it done, by far. Pics of the process?

First I used 1000mcd PLCC-2 LEDs but they were WAY to bright. So I went with OSRAM instead even though they were only rated at 150mcd, but even with that rating a figured it's a much more trusted manufacture.

Climate control on a 01-04 or on a 98-00?

I'm going to try and add two lights per location to get a slightly more even output so I can take photos then. It's really simple other then the display.

[Serge]

Climate control in a '95.

http://volvospeed.co...l-led-solution/

The OSRAM LEDs are awesome. Great even light with plenty of output. Not to mention it's a quality brand that will last.

[Keaton85]

I think I'm going to be doing the same thing on my climate control as you did. Ive been working on a few designs this week.

Much cheaper to make your own then buy the $5 dollar pre made units.

[Keaton85]

Just read through your first post. I am working on the same thing pertaining to having just runs of them instead of complete boards.

I am going to do a bunch of straight and square boards of 4 PLCC2s since this keeps the wattage requirements down for the resistor. Then I can make a bulk lot of them without much custom work. Afterwards place them in the areas that need to be lit.

I'm getting a voltage output of 13.2V so running the LEDs at 3.2v would allow me to use just a 20 or so Ohm resistor at 1/8watts.