Anyone change dash lights with led's?

[Kibokojoe]

Has anyone ever changed the dash lights with leds?

[Qube]

In theory, you could: http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=9420&highlight=dash+bulb+led

Of course even wide angle LEDs will not be as bright or even as good ol' incandescents.

Replacement bulbs: http://autolumination.com

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

but the LEDs are too focused to properly illuminate evenly.

I tried sanding and reshaping the LED, but still too narrow of beam.

I still have two running in the OBC sides, but I pulled the rest because either they had hot spots or would not illuminate the light pipes.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Why?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Because

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Fluffy dice and under neons as well?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

replace the incandescent lights in the instrumentation with long lasting white LEDs.

[Kibokojoe]

So just plain ole white leds? How about pulling the SCS bulb while I am in there? I get tired of seeing it flashing.


replace the incandescent lights in the instrumentation with long lasting white LEDs.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

you'll need to build LED replacement bulbs/mounts from old buld mounts adding in a tiny resistor to bring the voltage down to 5v.

I made a few to test and stopped after I found the LEDs beam too narrow to work.

[Kibokojoe]

Yes I have done the same on my XS650 but these worked ok. So it sounds like I need to purchase the plain ole incans.


you'll need to build LED replacement bulbs/mounts from old buld mounts adding in a tiny resistor to bring the voltage down to 5v.

I made a few to test and stopped after I found the LEDs beam too narrow to work.

[Boone.Msi]

Fluffy dice and under neons as well?

Not exactly, people have gotten better light ouptut doing this mod with a good write-up. Most parts that benefit from this are all your switches(windows, sunroof, gear select), the obc and gauge cluster.

If you purchase amber led's, you can have a restored brighter interior with a perfect OEM look.

I plan on doing this later down the road, it does take expert soldering and electrical skills though, not your typical DIY...

[Kibokojoe]

Is there a write up on making these leds?


Not exactly, people have gotten better light ouptut doing this mod with a good write-up. Most parts that benefit from this are all your switches(windows, sunroof, gear select), the obc and gauge cluster.

If you purchase amber led's, you can have a restored brighter interior with a perfect OEM look.

I plan on doing this later down the road, it does take expert soldering and electrical skills though, not your typical DIY...

[Kibokojoe]

here is the motorcycle write up. Think this will work for the bimmer?

http://650wiki.org/index.php/12.01._Bulb_to_Diode


Has anyone ever changed the dash lights with leds?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

conversion.

It's on someone's web site out there in cyberspace. there's a couple of the sites have, blue LEDs, mood lighting, disco balls and all sorts of goofy ricer stuff. but the install is the same.

I picked up a load of super bright LEDs with resistors off a Ebay for $20 from Hong Kong to fix some camping gear, and then moved on the the car, but
the instumentation gets tricky, so I just stayed with the ol' bulbs.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

here is the motorcycle write up. Think this will work for the bimmer?

http://650wiki.org/index.php/12.01._Bulb_to_Diode

did that with those little plastic bases, but the metal terminals can pop out, so it was easier to assemble.

[Kibokojoe]

You did this with plastic bases...Man no wonder you have to be an expert solderer.


did that with those little plastic bases, but the metal terminals can pop out, so it was easier to assemble.

[Kibokojoe]

Looks like it requires both 3 and 1.2 watt setups with 5 volts now the question is what size resistor I need


did that with those little plastic bases, but the metal terminals can pop out, so it was easier to assemble.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Looks like it requires both 3 and 1.2 watt setups with 5 volts now the question is what size resistor I need

the Ebay sellers usually include the right one to step down to 5v.

forget about wattage, look for output.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

http://nolimit.to/MYM3/interior_lighting.htm

[Kibokojoe]

A typical LED requires a current of 10 mA and has a voltage of 2 V across it when it is working. The power supply for the circuit is 12 V. What is the voltage across the resistor The answer is 12-2=10V. (The voltages across components in series must add up to the power supply voltage.)

You now have two bits of information about resistor: the current flowing is 10 mA, and the voltage across resistor is 10 V.

So its 10V/10mA = 1k ohms

The calculated value for the resistor is 1000 ohms. I would choice a resistor a little lower than 1000 ohms This would allow a current slightly greater than 10 mA to flow. Most LEDs are undamaged by currents of up to 20 mA, so this is fine.




http://nolimit.to/MYM3/interior_lighting.htm

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

amps verse volts?

[Kibokojoe]

Naw I am just a geek

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

that offer a Ohm calculator for the LED installation.

the amps for the LED is not the big concern, it's getting your 12v down to 5v so you don't pop the LED.

[shogun]

pics from the German 7-forum
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1394/erstesergebnis9ly.jpg
To get a good display in the cluster he installed 14 Leds in 3mm + 5mm
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/355/p32305300nr.jpg
replacement of original bulb against LED
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/7854/p21801419kb.jpg
left side bulb, right LED
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/9388/p21801436nh.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3836/p33105688xt.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1394/erstesergebnis9ly.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/355/p32305300nr.jpg
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/7854/p21801419kb.jpg
speed and RPM meter
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/9603/p31103872ia.jpg
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6845/p31103943rh.jpg
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9773/p31204084yq.jpg

[pingu]

Most LEDs are rated to ru with up to 20mA of current.

Also, the voltage across the LED when it's working depends on the colour of the LED. Red LEDs need about 2V. Blue LEDs need about 3.2V so if you're using blue ones then you'll need a resistor of lower resistance than if you're using red LEDs.

[Boone.Msi]

alright hold on maybe i missed it, but what is involved in replacing our gauge/obc/hvac lights with 3mm/5mm LED'S? Meaning if i got these 3mm LED's what would i have to do, to get them to work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/30x-5000mcd-3mm-Orange-LED-Ultra-Bright-Free-Resistors_W0QQitemZ300110067970QQihZ020QQcategoryZ 66950QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is there a write-up or link that shows more detail/steps?

[shogun]

Just have a look at my pics above, that is it what you have to do.
I only know that the guy in Germany who made his one with the many LED's in the cluster, IHKA control, OBC, window switches etc. worked on it for about 2 months till he got it lighted out correctly.

[E34-520iSE]

Just have a look at my pics above, that is it what you have to do.
I only know that the guy in Germany who made his one with the many LED's in the cluster, IHKA control, OBC, window switches etc. worked on it for about 2 months till he got it lighted out correctly.

I was thinking about the best way to light up my spare dials, when I get a decent black fascia for them:-

http://www.geocities.com/stereowizard2004/whitedials.JPG

Dunno whether to use coloured bulbs or buying three of those 12v LED's that are supposed to be a direct swap-in:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2pcs-501-W5W-Inverted-LED-Spark-Blue-Dash-Wedge-Bulbs_W0QQitemZ200106262195QQihZ010QQcategoryZ7223 3QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What d'you reckon chaps? Sorry to hijack the thread!

Cheers,

Shaun M

[shogun]

Shaun,
these 12 V LED's are not a direct swap-in, see the pic, left side the original bulb, right side the soldered in LED
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/7854/p21801419kb.jpg

[RallyD]

i like to be able to control the brightness of my cluster for late night highway cruising. LEDs would be more of an on or off.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

[shogun]

There is a dimmer switch and a light sensor in the cluster, at least in my E32, so it should also be in the E34.
The light sensor is between the speedmeter and the RPM meter
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/dash_bulbs/removeClusterScrews.jpg

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Shaun,
these 12 V LED's are not a direct swap-in, see the pic, left side the original bulb, right side the soldered in LED
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/7854/p21801419kb.jpg

What I did for the OBC, just sand the LED to spread the light.

try it! It's a real finger tip burner putting all those tiny parts together.

[E34-520iSE]

Ah, there's a similar thing on my e34 dash. Does it actually do anything? I'll have a fiddle with it next time I'm in the car.

Cheers,

Shaun M

[E34-520iSE]

Shaun,
these 12 V LED's are not a direct swap-in, see the pic, left side the original bulb, right side the soldered in LED
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/7854/p21801419kb.jpg

Would you believe it - I have a bag of approx 20 UV LED's with the correct resistors. Let's see what i can come up with.

Cheers,

Shaun M

[Kibokojoe]

What resistor did you use?

[E34-520iSE]

Here's a good resistor calculator:-

http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/?p=zz.led.resistor.calculator

Remember to put in a higher supply voltage than 12v - 14v is a safe figure.
Voltage drop across the LED - check your LED's data sheet
Desired LED current - approx 20mA but check the data sheet

HTH,

Shaun M

[Boone.Msi]

please post pics when you get done, id love to see the upgrade. What color are you going with?

[Kibokojoe]

This is really great