Write-up for the Hyperite gauge mod (white backlighting)
12-27-07, 10:26 AM
#54
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I tried blue but it causes the needles and redline to turn purple
if you don't mind that part, then it does look cool
also I have thought of doing all red LEDs, that way there would be no need to take apart the gauges and needles
just replace the stock bulbs with red LEDs
the red should be intense enough to drown out any orange tint
if you don't mind that part, then it does look cool
also I have thought of doing all red LEDs, that way there would be no need to take apart the gauges and needles
just replace the stock bulbs with red LEDs
the red should be intense enough to drown out any orange tint
12-27-07, 12:02 PM
#55
first off, I think it would look so good if you even took off the amber film behind the kmh readings. Second, if you wanted any other color, why can't you place that color bulb everywhere except at the redline and gauge needle bulb locations. Just place white behind those 2 spots.
12-27-07, 05:41 PM
#56
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There are really only about 7 bulbs lighting up the whole panel - 1 for each small gauge and 2 for each of the larger gauges
you'd have to see how it is lit up, you'd be surprised it lights up at all
you'd have to see how it is lit up, you'd be surprised it lights up at all
12-27-07, 10:55 PM
#60
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Me...
"I have a 1994 RX-7 and I sanded the amber coloring off the back of my gauges. I put some LED lights in so they would be bright white, but there is nothing to disperse the light evenly on the back of the gauges so they are really bright in some areas and dim in other areas. I was wondering if there was something already made, or if it would be possible to make something similar to indiglo gauges. A piece that lights up but you can lay it behind the stock gauges instead of in front of them, so that light comes through evenly? Do you guys have anything like that or do you know of someone who does? Thanks sir/ma'am."
Them...
"Yes, there is el film available but it is very expensive and would be difficult to use in the RX7 gauge cluster because of the 3 small gauges. We have only ever used it once in a case where the customer just had to have it. We do have an led kit that will eliminate the hot spots. It works with our gauge faces, but it may also work with the modified stock faces. The problem with that is simply that it’s a pita to make, so we’ll need $125 for it. It consists of 5 small circuit boards plus a few more of supplemental light. One circuit bard installs at the center of each gauge and the stock bulbs are not used at all. We also have pieces to change the color of the lcd display lighting, but installing that requires cutting out the lcd display, so there is a risk of damage. I have one – very bad – photo of the led lighting in red, using our custom faces. We’re working on another set right now, and a new camera is on the way, so we should have better photos just after the holidays. It really does look much better in person. I can’t comment on how the lighting would look using the modified stock faces, but we can supply faces to work with the white led light for the regular $99. Please let me know if you have more questions. Thanks!
Alex
Black Cat Custom"
12-28-07, 11:04 AM
#63
I have a 1994 RX-7 and I sanded the amber coloring off the back of my gauges. I put some LED lights in so they would be bright white, but there is nothing to disperse the light evenly on the back of the gauges so they are really bright in some areas and dim in other areas.
12-28-07, 11:31 AM
#64
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from what I can tell, it is painted on or a coating
if it were plastic then the ELO would not dissolve it
ELO does not attack plastic, so it is not a film
if it were plastic then the ELO would not dissolve it
ELO does not attack plastic, so it is not a film
12-28-07, 11:37 AM
#66
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I talked to Black Cat Customs, here was our conversation...
Me...
"I have a 1994 RX-7 and I sanded the amber coloring off the back of my gauges. I put some LED lights in so they would be bright white, but there is nothing to disperse the light evenly on the back of the gauges so they are really bright in some areas and dim in other areas. I was wondering if there was something already made, or if it would be possible to make something similar to indiglo gauges. A piece that lights up but you can lay it behind the stock gauges instead of in front of them, so that light comes through evenly? Do you guys have anything like that or do you know of someone who does? Thanks sir/ma'am."
Them...
"Yes, there is el film available but it is very expensive and would be difficult to use in the RX7 gauge cluster because of the 3 small gauges. We have only ever used it once in a case where the customer just had to have it. We do have an led kit that will eliminate the hot spots. It works with our gauge faces, but it may also work with the modified stock faces. The problem with that is simply that it’s a pita to make, so we’ll need $125 for it. It consists of 5 small circuit boards plus a few more of supplemental light. One circuit bard installs at the center of each gauge and the stock bulbs are not used at all. We also have pieces to change the color of the lcd display lighting, but installing that requires cutting out the lcd display, so there is a risk of damage. I have one – very bad – photo of the led lighting in red, using our custom faces. We’re working on another set right now, and a new camera is on the way, so we should have better photos just after the holidays. It really does look much better in person. I can’t comment on how the lighting would look using the modified stock faces, but we can supply faces to work with the white led light for the regular $99. Please let me know if you have more questions. Thanks!
Alex
Black Cat Custom"
Me...
"I have a 1994 RX-7 and I sanded the amber coloring off the back of my gauges. I put some LED lights in so they would be bright white, but there is nothing to disperse the light evenly on the back of the gauges so they are really bright in some areas and dim in other areas. I was wondering if there was something already made, or if it would be possible to make something similar to indiglo gauges. A piece that lights up but you can lay it behind the stock gauges instead of in front of them, so that light comes through evenly? Do you guys have anything like that or do you know of someone who does? Thanks sir/ma'am."
Them...
"Yes, there is el film available but it is very expensive and would be difficult to use in the RX7 gauge cluster because of the 3 small gauges. We have only ever used it once in a case where the customer just had to have it. We do have an led kit that will eliminate the hot spots. It works with our gauge faces, but it may also work with the modified stock faces. The problem with that is simply that it’s a pita to make, so we’ll need $125 for it. It consists of 5 small circuit boards plus a few more of supplemental light. One circuit bard installs at the center of each gauge and the stock bulbs are not used at all. We also have pieces to change the color of the lcd display lighting, but installing that requires cutting out the lcd display, so there is a risk of damage. I have one – very bad – photo of the led lighting in red, using our custom faces. We’re working on another set right now, and a new camera is on the way, so we should have better photos just after the holidays. It really does look much better in person. I can’t comment on how the lighting would look using the modified stock faces, but we can supply faces to work with the white led light for the regular $99. Please let me know if you have more questions. Thanks!
Alex
Black Cat Custom"
If they can make circuit boards of LEDs then that would be ideal
I thought about doing that but it is very hard to find the right size to fit in our clusters
The LCD would actually be very simple as it just pops out
I have changed mine to red just by replacing the bulb behind it with a red LED, that way it matches my cluster better (no orange)
12-28-07, 11:47 AM
#67
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If you really look at your stock gauges lit up, it is not all that even
Incandescent bulbs shine with less intensity but more of a glow than LEDs, giving the gauges more even lighting but less contrast
LEDs have more of a beam pattern, although different styles do attepmt to imitate the light dispersal of incandescents
LEDs give that sharp, intense light, but because of this, the light cannot be evened out over a large surface
The key is just more LEDs distributed evenly behind the gauges - this is how cars with stock LED clusters do it
12-28-07, 02:06 PM
#69
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Originally Posted by FDNewbie
And how would a simple coating (that obviously must be translucent) be able to show such a uniform distribution of light on the gauge face?
BTW Ramy, did you get my email?
Originally Posted by BOTTLEFED
Alex at black cat is great, I've been in contact with him about a kit for the Viper
If they can make circuit boards of LEDs then that would be ideal
I thought about doing that but it is very hard to find the right size to fit in our clusters
The LCD would actually be very simple as it just pops out
I have changed mine to red just by replacing the bulb behind it with a red LED, that way it matches my cluster better (no orange)
If they can make circuit boards of LEDs then that would be ideal
I thought about doing that but it is very hard to find the right size to fit in our clusters
The LCD would actually be very simple as it just pops out
I have changed mine to red just by replacing the bulb behind it with a red LED, that way it matches my cluster better (no orange)
I forgot to mention, I also removed the little orange covers over the tiny lamps behind the buttons on each side of the gauge cluster, for the cruise control or whatever and the one for the headlights on the other side. I never found a replacement LED so it's still real dingy, but it's white.
12-28-07, 10:04 PM
#72
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Originally Posted by AHarada
Has anyone come across a really white incandescent bulb? If such a thing exists, then there wouldn't be any problem.
12-30-07, 10:14 PM
#73
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Alex at Black Cat Customs said they were going to start working on something for us, should know something within the next few weeks. Just to let you guys know there may be another option soon.
12-30-07, 10:16 PM
#74
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a
lol i was going to see if i could get black faces with blue leds from black cat to match my defi gauges also does anyone know how to convert the odometer over to blue i would like to keep the same color throughout the car
