Changing IC LED's

[metallimonster]

So I was browsing through ebay and I saw these LED's

They replace the LED's in the instrument cluster.  This is something that I have been wanting to do.  As anyone done anything like this?  Seems a little to good to be true.  I am good at soldering but I would not want to mess up my IC.  The auction also says I would have to remove the amber colored paint which seems like a big deal. 

I hate the amber colored lights in my IC and would love to get bright white which I think would be easier to see.  Any info would be appreciated.

[CairnsDuc]

At the end of the day, it's not rocket science working on a PCB, but it can be a little risky, I have never had a close look at the board in the instrument cluster, Some boards use through the board components, some are surface mount, the through the board style components are (generally speaking) easier to remove and replace, surface mount can be a little tricky.

If you have never worked on/soldered on a PCB before, I would suggest getting hold of an old PCB and practice, you have to be quick and precise to make sure you melt the solder, but limit how much heat you put into the component and the board.

Drop the Ebayer an Email,
Ask them how hard is it for an average person to do?
Are you removing bulbs and replacing them with LED's?

Hopefully another DMFer has performed this operation before. 

[metallimonster]

I've worked on PCB's before and I have a friend who pretty much does it for a living that I would probably have do it.  I think that you have to replace the LED's and get rid of the paint on the back of the cluster face.  I am going to drop the ebayer an email and see if I can get the instructions to see what all is involved.  I am really hoping someone on here has done this before and can give me details.   Probably the only way I am going to attempt it is with someone's guidance.

[Heath]

bluegauges.com will do it for $65 + shipping.  Something to think about.
You have to have  a very steady hand to do smd led's like this.  I have done smaller and messed up a couple. Glad you linked this though I am temped to try it myself.

I also sent a message to the guy asking to clarify the removing of paint.  I have a feeling he means from the needle.


Here is a couple pics for ya.



Below is highres image of the same picture.  3.88MB    3888x2592
Right Click > Save As
http://www.mikemo.org/bikes/MonsterGauge.jpg

[OverCaffeinated]

One thing that might not be mentioned, you might have to take the needles off there pins. And getting them back in the same position is impossible. I did something similar to my bmw to get rid of the orange, but now I can't trust any of my gauges.

[metallimonster]

Wow, the blue guages option looks like it might be the way to go.  The extra 50 bucks is way worth the professional installation.  So here is my next question.  I do not have the Red Key or Card.  Do I want to be unplugging my cluster?  Is unplugging it going to make it loose its coding to the ecm or will I be fine?

After checking out the website it says that the needle can not be changed.  I hope that means it will stay orange.  The contrast will make it easier to see.  If anyone has this please let me know. 

[Heath]

I looked at my gauges tonight and I see the orange they are talking about.  The orange on my needle is already changed to red, I did that a while ago.  I have unplugged my cluster several times.  I think the only thing I had to reprogram was maybe the time.  I never had it off for very long though.

[metallimonster]

I just got some answers from the guy at blue guages and they seem very proffesional.  I am going to send my cluster out as soon as it gets too cold to ride.  Hopefully having it off for an extended period of time will not affect the Immobilizer.  I'll probably pm ducvet to see if he knows.

I am going go with all white LEDs except for the immobilizer light which I will either leave orange or change to red.  I love having that light on there.  Most people think it is for some sort of alarm.  I've had several people walk up to check out my bike and jump back because they think an alarm is going to go off.

[Heath]

I am going to chance it myself and change mine to white.  The immobilizer will get changed to blue or white.


LED's ordered :]   Going to do white back lighting, white immobilizer and leave the warning lights untouched.

[MaxPower]

I am going to chance it myself and change mine to white.  The immobilizer will get changed to blue or white.


LED's ordered :]   Going to do white back lighting, white immobilizer and leave the warning lights untouched.

Would be very interested in a 'How-To' on this....  Not so much a 'How-To' as a 'How-Not-To-make the beast with two backs-This-Up-Bigtime'

 

[Heath]

Would be very interested in a 'How-To' on this....  Not so much a 'How-To' as a 'How-Not-To-make the beast with two backs-This-Up-Bigtime'

 

I will be sure to take pictures.  I won't get the LED's until after the 13th because the guy is out of town.  I didn't order from that eBay auction by the way. 

[DucHead]

I will be sure to take pictures.  I won't get the LED's until after the 13th because the guy is out of town.  I didn't order from that eBay auction by the way. 

Any update on this?

[mmakay]

Have you seen this thread?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14188.msg245531#msg245531