So after COUNTLESS HOURS OF SEARCHING I think I've finally made a shopping list of LEDs to buy for some interior light modding.

I have a 2004 instrument cluster on the way already and it's slated to arrive Friday for the weekend disassembly & modding session that I have planned.

So... next step is the lighting. I figure I will need the following to do my HVAC and my cluster:

8 - 194 LEDs
4 - 74 LEDs

Please don't start on "how difficult" the cluster will be... I know all too well that it's going to be an all-out war to get it to look right.

Now, here is where I need some advice.
I was checking out Autolumination.com today and I noticed that there are a new type of bulb. The Superstar LEDs that are specifically made for gauges.

Here's my question:
Should I stick with two 194 Matrix bulbs for the HVAC?
Or should I try these new Superstar LEDs in both the HVAC and the cluster?
Has anyone tried using the Superstar LEDs yet? They look like they would cure hotspots in the gauge face completely (comparing them to traditional LEDs).

Also, what bulb is needed for the Foglight/Cruise Control switches?
Window switches?
I want everything to match my blue radio & Nexus gauges that are on their way.

those preassembled wedge LEDs never work very well, and they're expensive as hell.

i haven't tried superstar LEDs, but if you want to spend the crazy amounts of money on them, they might be worth it.

If I were you, I'd order from LSDiodes.com or LEDtronics.com ... they have a much better price on a package of LEDs that you can solder together with resistors to fit your individual application. have you seen my posts in the color change thread? if not, do some more research on it. lots of people think that those base-fitted led 'bulbs' are just not good for the cluster or interior, their viewing angle is too narrow and they throw too narrow a cone of light, so you get really blotchy output.

good luck though!

oh, and the window switches and fog/cruise have green filters that are incredibly hard to get to, you'll have to disassemble the switches fully which is a pain.

Thanks!
I'm searching for your posts now... anything relating to a color change without using bulb condoms would be great.

As for the Superstar LEDs I am VERY tempted to try them out, but yes they are expensive.

as an example of what you can do,... refer to my accord pics of my blue hvac mod:

http://community.webshots.com/album/258944157aqpDmD

http://thumb1.webshots.com/t/28/29/5/43/79/258954379GliQnD_th.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/1258954379030290561GliQnD)

never did finish the entire dash, due to a bent crankshaft...

Nice! Looks good Zalthras!

Be careful with the cluster if you are doing any other color besides red!

The needles in the cluster are essentially a red filter that blocks all the light wavelengths except red. The problem with using white or blue LED’s is there is no visible infrared light being emitted. The needles will block ALL the light and will not be illuminated one single bit. The needle also uses a “light pipe” to pickup light sources as the needle sweeps through its range. An LED typically has a very narrow light beam pattern and will not light up the pipe very well.

I’ve experimented with MANY different LED combinations in the cluster and I’ve always gone back to a filament style bulb. :(

The best color results I’ve had with the cluster is to simply put a colored film behind the gauge face after the initial coating has been removed. I know this is not what you want to hear, but I’m trying to save you the headaches that I’ve already gone though.

Bayley - I have heard of using stage gels as you have described. Honestly, I want the BEST LOOKING uniform color, and therefore I'm still dragging my feet.

I do know that I will have to scrape off that ugly green back film, but I was just wondering... Do you have any pics of using the stage gel material?
I'd be interested to see how it looks.

I am worried about the visability of my needles, but have been thinking about experimenting with seperate white lights focused on the lightpipe for illumination.

I won't know what to attempt to try until my cluster arrives on Friday.

yeah, wait till you have a backup.

i have red LEDs and decided to try the stage filters anyways. it gives a better output and i use tissue paper behind the gel to diffuse the light. it's more even and a little bit more uniform.

in my experience the light tubes don't really work so well, they're more like light gatherers.

I wonder though, what about fiber optics based on the needles to keep them red with blue lettering and such around them?

Just a thought... although the expense and the wiring would probably make my cry... ;)