LED gauges driving me nuts...
02-19-2009, 08:38 PM
#1
LED gauges driving me nuts...
*UPDATE*
Now, wtf? Based off experiences from others, and ReDMaX99SEL's 74 to 194 bulb conversion for 98-99 gauges, I chose the route and got the 194 Polarg Hyperwhite bulbs, model M-4, followed the step by step instructions, and NO LUCK! My gauges are now a bluish/green color, and NOT like what ReDMaX99SEL's writeup AND pictures portray! Anyone care to explain??? My gauges DO NOT look like the pictures below, and those are from doing the same mod I just completed! WTF...
***ORIGINAL THREAD BELOW***
Alright, obviously there is a TON of LED information out related to gauges. I've searched and educated myself. Now I have some questions...
Now, what I am looking for is a nice clean white LED gauge look for my 98 SE. I've seen VERY VERY few pictures of what I am looking for, and I do know it is hard to take a picture and have the true color show.
Here..
This is the look I am looking for..notice how nice and WHITE the lighting on the gauges are. This is from ReDMaX99SEL's bulb conversion writeup. Does the simple #74 to #194 bulb conversion actually work this well, and produce the "white" output as show on the picture?
Or even better..but I am not too sure what method was done on this Maxima.
Not the switches..but take a look at the GAUGE. Any suggestions on what was done here? Actually, this picture looks like the faces are black though. Regardless, the output is "white" and not "yellowish-white".
Now, wtf? Based off experiences from others, and ReDMaX99SEL's 74 to 194 bulb conversion for 98-99 gauges, I chose the route and got the 194 Polarg Hyperwhite bulbs, model M-4, followed the step by step instructions, and NO LUCK! My gauges are now a bluish/green color, and NOT like what ReDMaX99SEL's writeup AND pictures portray! Anyone care to explain??? My gauges DO NOT look like the pictures below, and those are from doing the same mod I just completed! WTF...
***ORIGINAL THREAD BELOW***
Alright, obviously there is a TON of LED information out related to gauges. I've searched and educated myself. Now I have some questions...
Now, what I am looking for is a nice clean white LED gauge look for my 98 SE. I've seen VERY VERY few pictures of what I am looking for, and I do know it is hard to take a picture and have the true color show.
Here..
This is the look I am looking for..notice how nice and WHITE the lighting on the gauges are. This is from ReDMaX99SEL's bulb conversion writeup. Does the simple #74 to #194 bulb conversion actually work this well, and produce the "white" output as show on the picture?
Or even better..but I am not too sure what method was done on this Maxima.
Not the switches..but take a look at the GAUGE. Any suggestions on what was done here? Actually, this picture looks like the faces are black though. Regardless, the output is "white" and not "yellowish-white".
Last edited by tcaughey; 06-15-2009 at 10:24 PM.
02-19-2009, 09:04 PM
#2
Does the simple #74 to #194 bulb conversion actually work this well, and produce the "white" output as show on the picture?
my guess he either prob added multiple white leds throughout the gauges or added 194 led bulbs but those are prone to hot spots...depending on the lighting distribution type of the LED
02-19-2009, 09:34 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jersey
Posts: 92
hey ive been wonderin bout this too and ive done some reseach on the forums bout hookin up my own leds, than i came across this thread and saw the idea of just replacin with a hyper white bulb, which of course never crossed my mind
so anyways i went lookin round for bulbs, pre much googled it
and i came across this, http://superlumination.com/74.htm
now i didnt no wat bulb is inside there, but i figured it was the 74 based on wat tcaughey said
im just wonderin will these leds work? like just plug em in?
given maybe a resistor or somethin, idk this stuff too well, my friends the electrian lol
but if this would work i think i rather take this road, ratherin than solderin and wat not
so anyways i went lookin round for bulbs, pre much googled it
and i came across this, http://superlumination.com/74.htm
now i didnt no wat bulb is inside there, but i figured it was the 74 based on wat tcaughey said
im just wonderin will these leds work? like just plug em in?
given maybe a resistor or somethin, idk this stuff too well, my friends the electrian lol
but if this would work i think i rather take this road, ratherin than solderin and wat not
02-19-2009, 10:25 PM
#4
I believe the #74 to #194 should do what you are looking for, but as G4 said they are prone to hot spots sadly. If you were to find some wide-angle LEDs and sand the tops of them, to dipurse light even more, that could give you what you are looking for. But you still may just have to do it the hard way and run multipule LEDs to every guage. Which can take a very long time, a friend of mine did it, and it took him 7 hours. But if you have more experience with LEDs it would not take that long.
Personally, i just deal with the hot spots for now, i struglled with the same problem and just got tired of it. haha
Personally, i just deal with the hot spots for now, i struglled with the same problem and just got tired of it. haha
02-20-2009, 08:19 AM
#6
I do know about LED modding, so that is not a huge deal for me.
I've heard about the hyperwhite bulbs, but would I run into the "bluish-white" problem due to the blue overlay on the backside of the gauges? I know members have discussed the problem with white LEDs, but I have not found any info regarding the hyperwhite bulbs.
Also, members have complained that the output of the plug-and-play 194 LED bulbs are too dim to give off a nice effect. There is a thread where someone used blue 194 LED bulbs, and the output looked so much dimmer than his stock 194 bulbs. He hated them, and wished he would have rigged up individual LEDs instead.
So is it true that rigging up individual LEDs are brighter and work so much better than the replacement LED bulbs? If the Hyperwhite 194 bulb will give me the results I am working for, I am all in!
Hopefully someone who has used 194 hyperwhites in 98+ gauges will chime in!
I've heard about the hyperwhite bulbs, but would I run into the "bluish-white" problem due to the blue overlay on the backside of the gauges? I know members have discussed the problem with white LEDs, but I have not found any info regarding the hyperwhite bulbs.
Also, members have complained that the output of the plug-and-play 194 LED bulbs are too dim to give off a nice effect. There is a thread where someone used blue 194 LED bulbs, and the output looked so much dimmer than his stock 194 bulbs. He hated them, and wished he would have rigged up individual LEDs instead.
So is it true that rigging up individual LEDs are brighter and work so much better than the replacement LED bulbs? If the Hyperwhite 194 bulb will give me the results I am working for, I am all in!
Hopefully someone who has used 194 hyperwhites in 98+ gauges will chime in!
Last edited by tcaughey; 02-20-2009 at 08:26 AM.
02-20-2009, 08:52 PM
#7
First, there is no such thing as a 'true WHITE' LED, they're getting much better, but it's not currently possible to produe a true white light.
If you're picky and that's what you want, forget the LEDs. Most people wont notice or mind the Hyperwhites, etc. they are very white, but if you are picky and look you'll notice colour.
My suggestion would be to install 194 bulbs in stock locations, and add a couple, buffing the tip of the bulbs will help eliminate hot spots, and the more you install evenly across the gauges the more even it will be.
Don't expect perfection, or you'll be disappointed, but I guarantee you'll like what you come up with better than stock, and you'll be proud of what you've done.
green led's and green 194 bulbs:
If you're picky and that's what you want, forget the LEDs. Most people wont notice or mind the Hyperwhites, etc. they are very white, but if you are picky and look you'll notice colour.
My suggestion would be to install 194 bulbs in stock locations, and add a couple, buffing the tip of the bulbs will help eliminate hot spots, and the more you install evenly across the gauges the more even it will be.
Don't expect perfection, or you'll be disappointed, but I guarantee you'll like what you come up with better than stock, and you'll be proud of what you've done.
green led's and green 194 bulbs:
02-22-2009, 02:01 PM
#9
IMO the white smt (5 PER BULB) would do fine for your white gauge look, as for the needles you will have to add some red leds behind each gauge with the led facing the center near the needle AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT INTERFERING THE OPERATION OF THE NEEDLE.
02-22-2009, 02:10 PM
#10
I do know about LED modding, so that is not a huge deal for me.
I've heard about the hyperwhite bulbs, but would I run into the "bluish-white" problem due to the blue overlay on the backside of the gauges? I know members have discussed the problem with white LEDs, but I have not found any info regarding the hyperwhite bulbs.
Also, members have complained that the output of the plug-and-play 194 LED bulbs are too dim to give off a nice effect. There is a thread where someone used blue 194 LED bulbs, and the output looked so much dimmer than his stock 194 bulbs. He hated them, and wished he would have rigged up individual LEDs instead.
So is it true that rigging up individual LEDs are brighter and work so much better than the replacement LED bulbs? If the Hyperwhite 194 bulb will give me the results I am working for, I am all in!
Hopefully someone who has used 194 hyperwhites in 98+ gauges will chime in!
I've heard about the hyperwhite bulbs, but would I run into the "bluish-white" problem due to the blue overlay on the backside of the gauges? I know members have discussed the problem with white LEDs, but I have not found any info regarding the hyperwhite bulbs.
Also, members have complained that the output of the plug-and-play 194 LED bulbs are too dim to give off a nice effect. There is a thread where someone used blue 194 LED bulbs, and the output looked so much dimmer than his stock 194 bulbs. He hated them, and wished he would have rigged up individual LEDs instead.
So is it true that rigging up individual LEDs are brighter and work so much better than the replacement LED bulbs? If the Hyperwhite 194 bulb will give me the results I am working for, I am all in!
Hopefully someone who has used 194 hyperwhites in 98+ gauges will chime in!
Last edited by maxprivate; 02-22-2009 at 03:46 PM.
02-22-2009, 03:48 PM
#12
02-22-2009, 06:59 PM
#13
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 21
sorry this is kinda off topic, in the first picture it shows the odometer mileage illuminated. Is that a stock light or aftermarket. I bought my 99 maxima about 4 weeks ago, and can't stand that the odometer does not light up at night...
02-23-2009, 03:45 AM
#14
Im pretty sure that the light you see in the pic is not aftermarket. the bulb for the odometer probably went out. I wish I could give you more detail but I own 97 nondigital.
02-23-2009, 08:33 AM
#15
The 98-99 maximas have their own bulb for the digital odometer. It comes on when the key is turned on...so its prone to failure quicker than the rest of the cluster lights.
04-06-2009, 07:49 PM
#16
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 127
First, there is no such thing as a 'true WHITE' LED, they're getting much better, but it's not currently possible to produe a true white light.
If you're picky and that's what you want, forget the LEDs. Most people wont notice or mind the Hyperwhites, etc. they are very white, but if you are picky and look you'll notice colour.
My suggestion would be to install 194 bulbs in stock locations, and add a couple, buffing the tip of the bulbs will help eliminate hot spots, and the more you install evenly across the gauges the more even it will be.
Don't expect perfection, or you'll be disappointed, but I guarantee you'll like what you come up with better than stock, and you'll be proud of what you've done.
green led's and green 194 bulbs:
If you're picky and that's what you want, forget the LEDs. Most people wont notice or mind the Hyperwhites, etc. they are very white, but if you are picky and look you'll notice colour.
My suggestion would be to install 194 bulbs in stock locations, and add a couple, buffing the tip of the bulbs will help eliminate hot spots, and the more you install evenly across the gauges the more even it will be.
Don't expect perfection, or you'll be disappointed, but I guarantee you'll like what you come up with better than stock, and you'll be proud of what you've done.
green led's and green 194 bulbs:
After i put back my dash and everything back together, I noticed that now my temp gauge goes halfway just on start up alone. after driving a couple of minutes, the temp gauge would max out. Does anyone know how I can fix this? I didn't pay attention when placing the needle back on, so I was thinking I could remove the dash, take off the needle, and out it back all the way on C (cold). Fortunately, I think my fuel gauge is ok. I remember where it was before it came off and it seems to calibrated right. Any ideas on the temp gauge? ANyone ever have this problem?
04-06-2009, 08:18 PM
#18
sorry that happen to you with the needles, thats why I always stayed away from messing with them.. I messed up an extra speedo head I had trying to see how easy it was to take them off and it was tuff. My advise would be to get a new gauge and be done with it.
04-06-2009, 08:57 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 127
I'm gonna try to avoid that at all cost. I hate to have to mess around with the digital odomoter and what not. I'm fortunate that my tach and speedometer needles did not fall off. Like I said, it's just my temp gauge. I would assume I just need to take them off again, plug my gauges back in (with the needles still off), then put the needles back on starting at C (cold level). Hopefully ,this fixes it.
04-06-2009, 09:29 PM
#20
I'm gonna try to avoid that at all cost. I hate to have to mess around with the digital odomoter and what not. I'm fortunate that my tach and speedometer needles did not fall off. Like I said, it's just my temp gauge. I would assume I just need to take them off again, plug my gauges back in (with the needles still off), then put the needles back on starting at C (cold level). Hopefully ,this fixes it.
04-06-2009, 09:34 PM
#21
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 127
Thanks! I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction regarding the how-to for removing the needles. I tried the , FAQ, but found nothing.
04-07-2009, 06:25 AM
#22
wish I could help you but the link for removing them doesn't seem to work anymore. When I tried removing one just for fun I messed it all up.. like I stated earlier my speedo head went bad so I had an extra when to play with.
06-16-2009, 08:00 AM
#26
07-12-2009, 11:52 AM
#29
^^^
It's cheap, but time consuming. FYI, in the Maxima, there is NO WAY to make your gauges the pure white color, as shown in the very first post. I've tried every single method, with LED's (different sizes, outputs), hyperwhite bulbs, 194 and 74 sizes, combinations of the two sizes, etc. Hence, the title of this thread. What happens is due to the blue filter, you get a very light blueish output. It's not bad, but NOT white. My theory is, the digital cameras that took the pictures in the first posting made the output "appear" more "white" than they really were.
Now changing your color to blue, green, or even red (weak output), works great. White is impossible, and I've given up. I'll just stick with the light blue.
It's cheap, but time consuming. FYI, in the Maxima, there is NO WAY to make your gauges the pure white color, as shown in the very first post. I've tried every single method, with LED's (different sizes, outputs), hyperwhite bulbs, 194 and 74 sizes, combinations of the two sizes, etc. Hence, the title of this thread. What happens is due to the blue filter, you get a very light blueish output. It's not bad, but NOT white. My theory is, the digital cameras that took the pictures in the first posting made the output "appear" more "white" than they really were.
Now changing your color to blue, green, or even red (weak output), works great. White is impossible, and I've given up. I'll just stick with the light blue.
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