radio, hvac color change

[z(+)diac]

Alright, need some help.

I don't have the energy nor time to go through each of the pages on this thread, not to mention those threads linked through this thread.

Basically the two of my A/C controls lights went out and I need to replace them. What bulbs will I need? Can I get them at an Advanced Auto Parts / Pep Boys / Auto Zone / etc.?

Also I was thinking about maybe adding a different color to them, can I get the very same bulbs at an auto parts supplier?

Need some help

[dancetiludrop]

The best place to get those bulbs is at your local Honda dealer....dont' worry there not too expensive :D

[wastedonanime]

Originally Posted by z(+)diac

Also I was thinking about maybe adding a different color to them, can I get the very same bulbs at an auto parts supplier?

Need some help

You could purchase the old bulbs and then color them with some glass stainer or even try using a sharpie marker (as it was suggested earlier). For vibrant color, the best way is to with an LED conversion but to do this with the HVAC controls is much more involved and time consuming than doing the gauge cluster. The bulbs you need for the HVAC controls are placed in a 'custom' plastic housing which you can get from Honda. That's the easiest way anyway. I mean if you really wanted you could replace the bulbs yourself by pulling them out and inserting new bulbs, but honestly it's probably not worth it unless you intend to do the LED conversion. To change the bulbs is fairly easy. Basically you just have to pop off the center console, disconnect the plugs that attach to the HVAC controls and the hazard switch and with a flathead screwdriver unlock the twist bases which you can see on the back of the HVAC controls. They will fall right out. Pop the new ones in, twist lock them and you should be set to go.

[NerdBox]

Hi

Is there a "definitive" guide for changing the lights on clusters and HVAC? Or is this thread it?

I had a few other questions:

How Many LED's do I need for the Cluster?
Are they all supposed to be #74 size?

What is the easiest way to replace the lights in the HVAC with LEDs?

Thanks,

[soopa element]

Originally Posted by NerdBox

Hi

Is there a "definitive" guide for changing the lights on clusters and HVAC? Or is this thread it?

Pretty much this thread is it :D

Originally Posted by NerdBox

I had a few other questions:

How Many LED's do I need for the Cluster?

Last time I checked, it was nine (9)

Originally Posted by NerdBox

Are they all supposed to be #74 size?

Originally Posted by NerdBox

What is the easiest way to replace the lights in the HVAC with LEDs?

Um.... there was a DIY post somewhere on Car Domain. If I find it, I will post the link here for you.

Originally Posted by NerdBox

Thanks

You're Welcome

[NerdBox]

thanks very much for the great info!

I think I found the link you were talking about:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/807962/1

I also wanted to know if the lights for the Odometer are #74's and if there is any special instructions for that change.

[wastedonanime]

Nerdbox, here's a copy of a PM I sent to another member a few weeks ago concerning the instrument cluster.

Originally Posted by Wastedonanime's Private Message

Good evening! This is a fairly easy mod. Here is what you need to know...

At the cardomain site, stop reading after "After removing the connectors look at the back side of the cluster and you will see 9 sockets that require removal. " The rest of the directions are outdated. What you will do from here on out is with a small flathead screwdriver, twist each of the bulb holders until they unlock and become loose (either a 1/4 or a 1/2 turn). Pull them out using a pair of needle nose pliers or simply turn the housing upside down and shake them out. They should just fall out. Take the old bulbs and pull them out of the plastic holder. Take your new LED's and push them in all the way. You may experience some resistance at first but with slow steady pressure it should slide all the way in. Reinstall the bulbs the same way you took them out and reverse the whole procedure.


Here are a few additional things you need to know as well:


1. Purchase "Tristar #74 LEDs" from superlumination. The distribution of light with these will give you a even distribution of light with no bright/dim spots. You may want to consider purchasing an extra one since sometimes you can get a bad cluster or accidentally F one up.

2. You need 9 bulbs total for this mod. You can change the color of the odometer/trip computer w/o bleeding by simply installing two of a different color in the appropriate spots (once you see the back it's very easy to pick out).

3. Color choice: some people say blue is too dim. Personally I have them and they are bright enough considering. I can see the gauges clearly w/o a problem so if you're thinking about it, I can vouch for it. "Hyperwhite" is actually going to appear light blue (or white with a tint of blue if you will). All other colors should appear as they are advertised. Technically red is supposed to be the best color since your eyes need minimal adjustment with red light at night (less strain on your eyes basically). The needle color will remain red since it has it's own independent light source and the other red markings should remain the same.

4. Bulb installation: LED's only work one way unlike the current incandescent bulbs (in terms of electrical current). So, if you install your LEDs and some are not illuminating, try reversing the contact points and it should work. What I mean by that is the method in which the bulbs are connected to the circuit board. They are sitting in plastic housings which has leads which contacts the board inside the odometer. It can be 'screwed' in one of two ways. So, if it does not work the first time, don't remove the bulb and turn it around. Just take note of the direction the visible part of the holder is (bottom with an indent for a flathead screwdriver, you can see some kind of landmark like a small circle) and turn it around. It should click in either way.


If you have any other questions or problems, feel free to PM me. If you're thinking of doing the HVAC controls to match the instrument cluster...

It's possible and I have done it but it was a nightmare comparatively. Its slightly more complicated due to the nature of the LED's and the limited space you have to work with. However, I can give you a complete run down if you're interested in attempting it.

As for the HVAC controls: it is no where near as easy and I found it to be fairly complicated but maybe you'll have better luck with this advice:

1. You need two kinds of LED bulbs: 5mm and 3mm. The 5mm are for the dial faces while the 3mm are for the buttons. You are also looking for the following characteristics for both:

• 12v Ready
• 5mm: Has a wide angle of light (135° is recommended for at least the dial faces otherwise you will have more of a chance for uneven light distribution)
• Contains an integrated or supplied with external resistors (I strongly recommend integrated resistors for ease of installation)
• All leads are solid metal and fairly long (at least 2")
• Has significantly high light output. The LED's I used could project a focused beam onto a surface from about 1-2 feet away with distinguishable color. Basically: they are bright.

You may want to invest in several of these. I destroyed about 10 through experimenting and trying to get the finished product.


2. Remove the center dash trim piece that has the HVAC controls attached. Disconnect the plugs for the unit so you can take the piece away from the dash. Remove the unit by removing 4 screws on the back end (key for later on when you're testing it out). On the back side of the HVAC unit you will see the same thing you saw with the instrument cluster - twist lock posts. 1/2 turn and it should come out... sometimes with a little upside down shaking.


3. Analyze the things which came out and take note of how the metal wraps around the bottom of the post. You will have to do this later on since this is how they make contact with the circuit board. Straighten the metal and pull the bulb straight out with the leads. The general idea is to install the LED's the same way the bulbs were oriented. Make sure when you install the LED's that they are pointing straight.

If you purchased LED's with integrated resistors and solid metal leads which are long enough to wrap around this will be fairly easy. In the event that they will not fit (too long with the LED in the post) simply cut the post down bit by bit until it fits. You can also do this if your leads are not long enough. They just need to be able to reach the top of the base to make contact. Now: unlike the old bulbs, LED's have a + and a - end so simply placing the newly modified post back into the HVAC unit does not mean it will work right away. Place it in, plug in the controls and try it out. If it does not light up, then try rotating the post 180° and try it again. It should turn on either the first or second time. Now you know why you separated it from the dash piece.




In the event you have external resistors, you will need to do the following:

1. Determine which is the positive side and which is the negative side of the LED. Wrap the resistor around one lead and attach it to a 12v source. If it does not turn on, try it the other way. If it still does not turn on, then the resistor must be placed on the other lead. Test again. Take note of which side the resistor must be on. Usually the LED will have some kind of 'landmark' so you can determine this simply by looking at it.
2. Take your post and feed the resistor through one hole so the bulk of the resistor is at the bottom. Wrap the other 1/2 of the resistor around the base so it makes contact with the circuit board when installed. Depending on how much slack is on the other end coming out of the post, you may want to break some of it off. Insert your LED with the positive end sharing the resistor. Do a quick test fit with the first one. Cut down the post as necessary. Once it is at a suitable height, feed the LED through the hole with the positive end sharing with the resistor (you may have to cut off a majority of the positive lead) and solder a point of the positive side for a secure connection. Wrap the negative lead around the base and test it out. If it works, repeat 3 more times and use the original as a height guide. Try to keep the bulbs straight. It will be more difficult with this approach but if you mount them on an angle, you will see uneven distribution on the dial faces.

Good luck. PM me if you need help. Oh, yeah - "Hyperwhite" is white with a tint of blue... almost like a light blue BTW.

[soopa element]

Originally Posted by NerdBox

thanks very much for the great info!

I think I found the link you were talking about:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/807962/1

That's the one

Originally Posted by NerdBox

I also wanted to know if the lights for the Odometer are #74's

Originally Posted by NerdBox

and if there is any special instructions for that change.

Nope same as the other bulbs in the cluster.

[Chubs12385]

for the HVAC controls.. what are everyones thoughts on these?



go to http://autolumination.com/74.htm its about half way down the page.. they look like type A's or B's to me. just guessing though

[Chubs12385]

i decided to try the stained glass paint idea. seeing some people say they werent happy with how it turned out i tried to work with it in a way to improve on just painting the bulbs. so i actually did the inside of all* the buttons and knobs as well as the bulbs themselvs

*the only bulb i did not paint was the center hvac knob bulb so i could retain the blue and red color on the knob itself


heres the end result.. i still have a little more to do. and i have to replace one of the hvac bulbs.. i broke it, haha