Quick led question

[madsav]

ok when putting LED`s into the dash cluster do i have to have a resistor on the leds before i put it in the standed holden twist clips? or will it work if i just put the led in without a resistor?
Also is it better to use SMD leds or the bulb type leds?
my guess from abit of research is the SMD`s.

[wrx884]

it will work 4 mayb a second or 2 if they r lucky b4 the 12V burns them out lol so yeah u must use resistors.

[madsav]

lol cheers mate thanks,
for the whole cluster should i solder them to the cluster or try and wedge them in the standed holders?

[oska]

you have 2 options

1. you can fit T5 leds with resistors built in and you"ll get hot spots you'll lose any red markings and if you needles are orange you wont see them
2. and this is what i'm doing i've done all other interior lights including the HVAC blue but, i'm going to fit a custom dash face that lights up blue instead of green using the standard bulbs and looks original, from ebay for $75

best option in my opinion

EDIT: you have file down LED's and angle them so they scatter light to fill what you're displaying, otherwise the are like a torch and are very focussed

[madsav]

do you happen to have any pics or links to the T5 leds with build in resistors? also was it hard to do the Air-con dials?

[oska]

something like this might work better than what others are offering

2pcs T5 High Power LED (Spark Blue) Dash Wedge Bulbs | eBay


but you still have to angle them for best coverage, i added a white one to keep the red in the heater dial

[madsav]

now i know what ya mean mate cheers for that, if you can slap afew pics up id like to see how it looks cheers

[oska]

iphone pics

[wrx884]

iphone pics

Has ur shifter got a blue LED in it? if so take out the green filter so it doesnt have that green tinge 2 it. same with the heater dials remove the green film and ud b good 2 go 2 match with the rest of the blues

[oska]

there's no green they are all nicely lit blue.

that's why i said iphone pics

[johnno010684]

you dont have to file down the led's if you get wide angle led's. i didnt have to file off the green backing on the speedo dials, although i took off all the needles and sanded the orange off of them otherwise they're barely visible at night.