I'm trying to get my F2 gauges in for the spring and I was looking at indiglow or reverse el. Blue LED's might be a pain in the ass like 16 hour project and custom work involved. I'm not scared of that I just don't want to break anything and take my entire gauge out when I need my car. LED's always have the potential to fuse out... Here's my idea:

Buy Reverse El gauges from ebay like this:

1. rub out markings with solvent.
2. trace and cut out the shape of indiglo gauge to shape of our gauges.
3. fit the Indiglo gauge panels behind our panels so they overlap.
4. hook up indiglo gauge to the power source

I think it can work and look professional. You think this is worth a shot?

 

hmmm. maybe. dont wreck the f2 gauges trying though. sounds like it would be alright

 

nah.. don't do that. some are laminated and impossible to remove the imprints without damage... instead i'd recommend this..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Electroluminescent-Tap...VQQcmdZViewItem



or this...



http://cgi.ebay.com/Internal-blue-EL-strin...1QQcmdZViewItem



you can just pack that stuff back behind your cluster and glow the needles with LEDs.

 

the shape of the EL sheets on those indiglow panels prolly wont be shaped properly.

leds will last longer than any other light source you could put back there if installed properly.

 

The inverter that they send is ment for a regulated 12V power supply. You may want to buy one of these too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EL-GLOW-GAU...081656928QQrdZ1



that's the best inverter availble on ebay. don't even look at the car names they're all the same







It shapes great. I'm running the 1/2" tape in my computer right now. It works good, it would require alot more work though. The EL string would be a better option. I've never tried it though.



but Panels might be a good idea. they CAN be cut to any shape.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-x-2-Electroluminesce...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

i knew you two would be on here! yeah led's might be the best option because of their beam and brightness, but damn if one of them ever goes out it would be a hassle to go back into it...

DTN i never knew such a thing existed! how do you mean the tape would be a hassle? and why would i need an inverter, to have the correct wattage? the string looks really good thanks for those links!


and is it possible that i can do it behind this? it seems like the plastic is orange, anyway i can get it clear or anything i can do to make it shine through for the best effect?

 

i posted that like 15 seconds after you posted your DTN. wink1.gif

it was aimed at hkc. i might pick up some of that tape to see if i can do anything with it.

 

^ hahaha!!!! you're still #1 in my book, but DTN has it on paper wink1.gif

yeah thanks dtn, it looks like it could really be a good solution. so you think that inverter is a must to get this to work?

 

for any kind of EL material, you need to step up the voltage. thats what the inverter does. to get those neon colors the voltage has to be like 3000.

you will need some type of inverter for the el tape. im sure it comes with one.

 

hmm. i'll probably be ordering the string to try and mess around with it... but do you think the inverter will be easy to hid somewhere? i read that it requires 12V powersource like from the lighter.