2 replies to this topic

[timslib]

Time to do something a little different, to prove it's even possible. 

What needs to be done:-

1. Removal of CCFL backlighting.

Not a difficult task by any measure, the CCFL backlight is held in by tabs and the ballast by screws. Where the CCFL sits inside the cluster is where the strip would go. Standard RGB strips operate with 4 18ga wires. A level of concern comes with whether or not that will adversely affect the dimming controls, subject to testing. 

2. Removal and modification of gauge needles. 

This one will take a little bit of time, but nothing intense. It's mainly a case of removing the paint or coating that was used to make the needles red and change it to white. White, because it will reflect any colour required. Ideal for a vivid all blue, all red, all white lighting scheme. Subject to user choice. 

3. Ring illumination. 

This is a slightly more difficult one, because, if it to be fully synchronised RGB lighting, this requires every LED to have 4 wires going from each ring to the other, then for it to be fastened into place. Hot glue or something similar would do the job. 5mm diffused LED's with RGB would do the job easily. A lot of tiny soldering lol. 


Wiring LED's. 

This is primarily theory for the moment, but there are a few methods of changing the colour of the LED's. 

Each LED has 4 pins for anode and the 3 cathodes. 

Assuming similar voltage output for each cathode is measured from whatever LED strip and controller I select to replace the CCFL, wiring that together should be easy. 

A minor complication is that, on start up (turning the car to on), the BFM ceremony sees the rings and needles illuminate before the CCFL sparks. May need to check the circuitry and see if I can emulate that with multiple LED controllers or just run the lot off one. They're LED's, the draw is nothing. 

Will post pics and updates once I get a spare BFM and some LED's and can start playing around.

Tim
 

[El_Freddo]

This should be interesting! I hope you’re taking pics to share once it’s done

Cheers

Bennie

[timslib]

Haven't scored a spare BFM to play with yet.  

Tim