White Face Gauge kit problem (series 1 speedo

[Pop's Z]

Dave, As usual...YOU ARE DA' MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

[Zs-ondabrain]

Thanks, but it's more like "DA' Cheap MAN" Just tired of spending money on things I know I can do myself. ya know?

It turns out that the lighting in the Speedometer was crappy, cause whoever built it in the first place, Painted half of the green lense when the inside was painted at the factory. Even after removing the grren plastic lense, painting the underside of the face silver chrome and installing the 2) LED's, the lighting still sucks.

I think the next thing I'll do is add 2 more of the LED's inside the Speedometer shell, aimed at the dark spots that are aparent in the 4th picture.

Thanks again, I'm going for a drive RIGHT NOW!!.

Dave.

[WingZr0]

Thanks, but it's more like "DA' Cheap MAN" Just tired of spending money on things I know I can do myself. ya know?

It turns out that the lighting in the Speedometer was crappy, cause whoever built it in the first place, Painted half of the green lense when the inside was painted at the factory. Even after removing the grren plastic lense, painting the underside of the face silver chrome and installing the 2) LED's, the lighting still sucks.

I think the next thing I'll do is add 2 more of the LED's inside the Speedometer shell, aimed at the dark spots that are aparent in the 4th picture.

Thanks again, I'm going for a drive RIGHT NOW!!.

Dave.

Ahh man, I was jus going to chime in and say I like how they're dark in the

middle with the light ring on the outside.

Coming to think of it I think my lights are kinda the same :cheeky:

Enjoy the drive :rambo:

[ktm]

"I think the next thing I'll do is add 2 more of the LED's inside the Speedometer shell, aimed at the dark spots that are aparent in the 4th picture."

I removed my lights completely and installed LEDs around the face of the speedo and tacho. They light up the faces very well.

[Zs-ondabrain]

I like the gauges well lit but also try and shy away from brite and annoying. Nothing worse than trying to drive with your gauges blinding you or distracting you from the road.

Like I said though, maybe 2 LED's, in the right place to slightly brighten up the dark areas only. Without over doing it.

I have to remove the Speedometer anyways cause it says I'm doing 50 when I'm doing 30. This could take a few try's to get it right again.

Dave.

[hls30.com]

Dave,

I bought a JDM version of the EL gage kit from Speedhutt, it had only one serious issue, the pointer rest-rather the lack of a hole to push it through. Did the MSA kit have the hole, or did you punch one or just eliminate the rest?

With the EL, punching one opens the EL membrane to the air, seriously shortening its life and altering its light characteristics.

Will

[Zs-ondabrain]

No hole, but it was easy to pull it from the back side enough to align the sticker, then release it and it peirced the vinyl.

It's a spring steel needle and there should be enough flex to pull it out of the way. But you're right about the EL being punctured by the needle but if it's punctured one and maybe a dab of silicone on each side before you poke it will stop the enviromental issue. But then again, the wire is grounded thru the chassis and may also cause bigger problems.

Tough call and I hate to see you waste one just to see if it would be a problem or not. But the whole Idea of the Stock Z gauges being EL would be Awesome.

I guess you need to find an EL specialist who can tell you if peircing it with a grounded needle would be a big issue or not. And if it is an issue, maybe a needle could be molded to the inner case and come to an end, resting on the face of the gauge.?? Maybe.

Dave.

[hls30.com]

It could be done, but the guys at Speedhutt want cookie cutter work-no changes. Because of the gage lighting issues and the fact that EL answers more than one of the problems I ran into with LEDS, I am focusing my gage project on El solutions-as with the LEDS, I have invested several hundred dollars in supplies, and am seriously close to a solution everyone will love or hate-with some surprises for other interior lighting as well!

Look for them just after the first of the year...

Will

[Go240Zags]

I am focusing my gage project on El solutions-as with the LEDS, I have invested several hundred dollars in supplies, and am seriously close to a solution everyone will love or hate-with some surprises for other interior lighting as well! Look for them just after the first of the year... Will

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have in mind. I think EL looks great and have always liked the red lighted dials in cars. Maybe it's because my vehicles have all had blue/green lighting. Gary D.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Sounds like Christmas After Christmas thing. Can't wait for Christmas to be over, for many reasons. But I always look forward to wills gifts.

Dave.

[ktm]

Dave, the illumination is actually not so bright that it is blinding. I used 5000 mcd LEDs with a 40 to 50 degree viewing angle. I used blue LEDs to soften the light. It came out fantastic but it was not as easy as your conversion.

[Ramses]

Dave,

How did you get your lights to be so bright? Everything looks beautiful. For the life of me I can not get my lights to be that bright.

Chuck