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Wanting a Red Backlit Speedometer and Tach.
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SL12572
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:36 pm    Post subject: Wanting a Red Backlit Speedometer and Tach. Reply with quote

The combination of being mildly obsessive compulsive and also being in aviation, I'm really wanting to make red backlit gauges for the van. I've been researching electroluminescence, but it seems that you can only get a blue glow.

Anyone with ideas to get red backlighting? My Audi A4 had all red gauges, which I loved. How do they do it? Is it only done with leds?



Thanks!


Scott
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SCM
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can swap out the dash lights with different colored LEDs. Here's some old crossreference I saved http://cabby-info.com/OldBlue/files/VanagonLEDCrossReference.pdf

somewhere on the samba are some photos of some dashes with different colored lights installed.
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1fin
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about this tach upgrade? Looks really cool except the speedo is in Km/H and the needle is not backlit. Although I saw that someone else on the forum here had installed the same and used a UV/Blacklight dash led to accentuate the stock white needle when lights are turned on. It was a recent posting (last 2 weeks probably) you can probably search around and find a picture.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/PLASMA-TACHO-Tachoscheiben-...3311wt_929
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SL12572
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The post you are referring to is from Syncroincity and his diesel syncro conversion. It's close to what I'm looking for, but would like all red lettering, and they only offer the speedometer in kmhs. It would be great if I can figure out how to get the red backlighting in a DIY project. I may use my spare instrument cluster for experimenting.

Thanks

Scott
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Syncroincity
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You'll have to make your own faces, but here's a red panel...

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10801

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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a914622
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

how about swapping out the hole cluster and pod for an audi one??


jcl
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SL12572
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Syncroincity wrote:
You'll have to make your own faces, but here's a red panel...

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10801

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Jerry, you are the man....Thanks! I contacted a few el panel stores and they all told me that there is no such thing as a red el panel. I can make the gauge faces.

Can't wait to try this out.


Scott
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James 93SLC
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oooooo.... keep us posted! I'd totally rock red backlit gauges Cool
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