red guage cluster needles how to.. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

HyperTek · 07-03-2004, 12:23 PM

So I did this with a spare cluster using a Red Sharpie marker, is this right? I didnt want to do it to the cluster in my car just incase this red marker affects light quality. But it doesnt look like it would. It looks pretty cool on the stock black face s13 cluster with red needles. I just want to know if thats the same way others have done this before I do it to the one in my car.

twitchy · 07-03-2004, 12:52 PM

I used a sharpie marker for the tips of the needles and some accenting

its dark at first but after a week or so it fades and looks way better

I originally put blue lights behind the cluster but they turned white before too long..I might try green this time

see attachment...now all i need is the nismo 300 kph speedo and my instrument cluster will be perfect!

HyperTek · 07-03-2004, 01:03 PM

Yah I got red bulb condoms on mine so it shines red at night, just didnt know if with the red needle trick if I wont be able to see the needles at night.

I like how you did the 3k mark in red hehehe.

Demik · 07-03-2004, 01:23 PM

how about those "things" (the glow needle kits) from import intelligence.. how do u install those?

twitchy · 07-04-2004, 02:24 AM

i think youll be safe if coloring the whole needle, only use 2 coats of marker, max and give it a little time to wear off..that pic doesnt really do it justice but you can see right through it before long.

i did the 3kRPM mark to help me save gas.. its the economy redline!

nightwalker · 07-04-2004, 02:27 AM

hey guys, where did you get the red bulb condoms. I've been looking for some.

HyperTek · 07-04-2004, 02:34 AM

I got mine at a local Speedometer shop, ran by a bunch of old fart hot rod guys hehee. Made by VDO.

nightwalker · 07-04-2004, 02:39 AM

hahaha, I know exactly where one of those are around here. Thanks.

twitchy · 07-04-2004, 01:16 PM

"speedometer shop??"

TheTimanator · 07-04-2004, 01:30 PM

guage cluster is white by day and red by night! Red needles with a white numbers would look funny to me IMO. I got red bulbs from the rice isle at pep boys and got little red sleeves for the smaller bulbs at a local electronics surplus store.
Nightwalker you can get different color bulb sleeves at autozone or pepboys...cept there like $3 instead of $0.15.

andrave · 07-04-2004, 03:21 PM

you can use any kind of transparent paint, a light coat of fingernail polish, or (and this works good) taillight paint for model cars.

Also, as far as making the cluster red, the whole point of making the needles red would be so they contrast and are easier to see. if you make it all red... whats the point?

citizen · 07-04-2004, 03:25 PM

red light doesn't stimulate the rods in your eyes, other wavelangths stimulate both cones and rods. Rods are used for night vision, so when you look at red wavelangth light it doesn't mess it up. So its good to have red instrements because your eyes don't have to adjust to them during the night. that's the point.

TheTimanator · 07-04-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citizen

red light doesn't stimulate the rods in your eyes, other wavelangths stimulate both cones and rods. Rods are used for night vision, so when you look at red wavelangth light it doesn't mess it up. So its good to have red instrements because your eyes don't have to adjust to them during the night. that's the point.

yeah, uh, what he said

To me the red needles would be a lot darker than the than the white so they would stand out less. But that's just me....

twitchy · 07-04-2004, 03:46 PM

and you cannot use LEDS in the cluster right...something about it not working properly. I think OLD S13 did something to that effect but its probably a total nightmare fab job

MasterOFDrift · 07-05-2004, 03:16 AM

you think it would hurt they eyes to compeltely make the instrument panel blue?

also how many bulbs are in the instrument panel!!??

*Grant* · 07-05-2004, 06:32 AM

3 bulbs (there is a 4th one on s13's i think.. but doesnt affect the cluster much).

AlexAtPerformanceNissan · 07-05-2004, 07:56 AM

BMW runs red gauge cluster lighting on pretty much all of their cars... so i'm pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with the fact that it's red on red.... But it does look kinda wierd to see a 240 with a cluster that stands out that much.... i always loved the IntelliGlow needles.....very sweet looking and also very klean.. ;-) Klean with a "K."

-Alex B.

TheTimanator · 07-05-2004, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexAtPerformanceNissan

BMW runs red gauge cluster lighting on pretty much all of their cars... so i'm pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with the fact that it's red on red.... But it does look kinda wierd to see a 240 with a cluster that stands out that much.... i always loved the IntelliGlow needles.....very sweet looking and also very klean.. ;-) Klean with a "K."

-Alex B.

http://www.importcarpartsplus.com/Needles.htm
and exspensive!

I think that's overkill. I don't see how you can call that clean though, cept it uses factory needles. Reminds me of something I'd see in superstreet.....

Superstreet

240meowth · 05-22-2006, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexAtPerformanceNissan

BMW runs red gauge cluster lighting on pretty much all of their cars... so i'm pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with the fact that it's red on red.... But it does look kinda wierd to see a 240 with a cluster that stands out that much.... i always loved the IntelliGlow needles.....very sweet looking and also very klean.. ;-) Klean with a "K."

-Alex B.

actually, it's more orange than red, sort of amber. It's what I did w/ mine. Raining outiside don't want to go and take picture. I just painted the bulbs w/ transparent paint and BAMN done.

Also a note on the LEDs, it will not work because LED's light angle is not wide enough. Basically, the bulb lights up around the bulb, and the LED lights up more in one direction. Since the instrument panel is designed for the regualr bulb, when you chuck a LED in there, it'll be complete failer.

AllenRPS13 · 05-22-2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240meowth

actually, it's more orange than red, sort of amber. It's what I did w/ mine. Raining outiside don't want to go and take picture. I just painted the bulbs w/ transparent paint and BAMN done.

Also a note on the LEDs, it will not work because LED's light angle is not wide enough. Basically, the bulb lights up around the bulb, and the LED lights up more in one direction. Since the instrument panel is designed for the regualr bulb, when you chuck a LED in there, it'll be complete failer.

yes, i have tried to put LED bulbs on the gauge... it just seems very dim...

axiomatik · 05-22-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240meowth

Also a note on the LEDs, it will not work because LED's light angle is not wide enough. Basically, the bulb lights up around the bulb, and the LED lights up more in one direction. Since the instrument panel is designed for the regualr bulb, when you chuck a LED in there, it'll be complete failer.

Actually, LEDs work fine as long as you get wide-angle LEDs. The pictures I posted above with the blue lighting are all LEDs, and the color is completely consistent across the IP. The LEDs that I purchased have an inverted cone molded into the top of them, so that the light is scattered all around instead of focused. With the analog cluster, things may be different, due to the different placement of the bulbs, but I doubt that it will be much different. It is also just as bright as stock lighting, though I had been hoping that it would be brighter, since stock is a little dim for my tastes. The brightness that you get also depends on the color you choose. Certain color LEDs, due to the materials used to acheive that color, are inherently dimmer than others. Also, I've noticed that the blue lighting is just hard for my eyes to focus on. It looks cool, but isn't terribly practical. I plan on changing to white LEDs. They are brighter, and it should be easier to read. Because of the blue tinting on the back of the gauges, they will still be a little bluish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy9ceguy

hey the lights for the AC control unit and window switch doesnt shine, is there a bulb that makes it shine so i can replace it with the LED bulb?.

The HVAC controls do have a bulb, actually two bulbs for illumination. However, because of the way it is designed, you can't just replace it with an LED bulb for lighting. The stock lighting system only uses the light that comes out of the sides of the bulbs (perpendicular to the axis of the bulb), so even wide-angle LEDs wouldn't work. Also, the bulbs are tiny. I have actually converted my HVAC unit to LED lighting, but you have to disassemble it, pull out the stock bulbs and lighting prism, and replace it with a small circuit of LEDs. I have been meaning to post pictures with a how-to for a while, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll try posting it tonight or tomorrow. I have also put LEDs in the buttons around the steering column (headlights up/down, cruise, hazards etc.) Those were difficult to do, but it looks pretty slick to me, and all the bulbs were burned out on my car. I'll post pics of those as well.

Kid Zelda · 07-05-2004, 01:55 PM

TYYYPE XX OONNEEELLY

citizen · 07-05-2004, 02:09 PM

So uh kid zelda, do you operate a lumber mill in your car or something, cuz thats a lot of dust in there. as to making to panel blue, it won't matter much as long as its not too bright. Of course it still is best to have red.

ALTRNTV · 07-06-2004, 12:58 AM

on mine, i just used a red Sharpie on the tips of the needles, just like Twitchy, it looks cool, i'll post pics later

nightwalker · 07-06-2004, 02:27 AM

Thanks for the extra info guys. I pulled out a gazillion bulbs from other 240s at junkyards when I was DOHC guage cluster hunting. That, and the rest of the instrumentation in my car is amber. Just need to make the cluster match now.

HyperTek · 07-06-2004, 07:37 AM

I soo wanted the kouki guage cluster since its digital and its just rare, but the wiring harness is different on it.

Anyways, I think the kouki cluster lights up red too? and it has red needles.

HyperTek · 07-06-2004, 07:41 AM

almost forgot...

can you spot whats* red?? heheh

cdlong · 07-06-2004, 08:30 AM

kid zelda, how do those look at night? got any pics? and did you use a sharpie or something else?

or is that a stock jdm cluster?

the head · 07-06-2004, 09:11 AM

hyper tek how did you change the color of your clock

anyone know where on the net i can get those red bulb condoms for the gauge cluster i dont have any shops around here that carry VDO

Ghettokracker71 · 07-06-2004, 10:22 AM

Yeah Hypertek how the ***** did you do that?

07-03-2004, 12:23 PM	#1
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	red guage cluster needles how to.. So I did this with a spare cluster using a Red Sharpie marker, is this right? I didnt want to do it to the cluster in my car just incase this red marker affects light quality. But it doesnt look like it would. It looks pretty cool on the stock black face s13 cluster with red needles. I just want to know if thats the same way others have done this before I do it to the one in my car. __________________ Keep it Classy

07-03-2004, 12:52 PM	#2
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I used a sharpie marker for the tips of the needles and some accenting its dark at first but after a week or so it fades and looks way better I originally put blue lights behind the cluster but they turned white before too long..I might try green this time see attachment...now all i need is the nismo 300 kph speedo and my instrument cluster will be perfect! __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

07-03-2004, 01:03 PM	#3
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Yah I got red bulb condoms on mine so it shines red at night, just didnt know if with the red needle trick if I wont be able to see the needles at night. I like how you did the 3k mark in red hehehe. __________________ Keep it Classy

07-04-2004, 02:24 AM	#5
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i think youll be safe if coloring the whole needle, only use 2 coats of marker, max and give it a little time to wear off..that pic doesnt really do it justice but you can see right through it before long. i did the 3kRPM mark to help me save gas.. its the economy redline! __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

07-04-2004, 02:27 AM	#6
nightwalker Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay area Age: 46 Posts: 2,146 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey guys, where did you get the red bulb condoms. I've been looking for some. __________________ In life, we often cast the line of hope fishing for the best possible opportunity. Sometimes with enough effort, the things we catch are nothing short of amazing.

07-03-2004, 01:23 PM	#4
Demik Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cali Posts: 739 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	how about those "things" (the glow needle kits) from import intelligence.. how do u install those?

07-04-2004, 02:34 AM	#7
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I got mine at a local Speedometer shop, ran by a bunch of old fart hot rod guys hehee. Made by VDO. __________________ Keep it Classy

07-04-2004, 02:39 AM	#8
nightwalker Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay area Age: 46 Posts: 2,146 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hahaha, I know exactly where one of those are around here. Thanks. __________________ In life, we often cast the line of hope fishing for the best possible opportunity. Sometimes with enough effort, the things we catch are nothing short of amazing.

07-04-2004, 01:16 PM	#9
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	"speedometer shop??" __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

07-04-2004, 01:30 PM	#10
TheTimanator Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nashville Age: 41 Posts: 2,535 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: TheTimanator Feedback Score: 1 reviews	guage cluster is white by day and red by night! Red needles with a white numbers would look funny to me IMO. I got red bulbs from the rice isle at pep boys and got little red sleeves for the smaller bulbs at a local electronics surplus store. Nightwalker you can get different color bulb sleeves at autozone or pepboys...cept there like $3 instead of $0.15. __________________ 89 S13 hatch/////98 Subaru 2.5RS

07-04-2004, 03:21 PM	#11
andrave BANNED Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burton WV Posts: 2,350 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you can use any kind of transparent paint, a light coat of fingernail polish, or (and this works good) taillight paint for model cars. Also, as far as making the cluster red, the whole point of making the needles red would be so they contrast and are easier to see. if you make it all red... whats the point?

07-04-2004, 03:25 PM	#12
citizen Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,240 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: citizen Feedback Score: 0 reviews	red light doesn't stimulate the rods in your eyes, other wavelangths stimulate both cones and rods. Rods are used for night vision, so when you look at red wavelangth light it doesn't mess it up. So its good to have red instrements because your eyes don't have to adjust to them during the night. that's the point.

07-04-2004, 03:46 PM	#14
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	and you cannot use LEDS in the cluster right...something about it not working properly. I think OLD S13 did something to that effect but its probably a total nightmare fab job __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

07-05-2004, 03:16 AM	#15
MasterOFDrift Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: WA Posts: 604 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you think it would hurt they eyes to compeltely make the instrument panel blue? also how many bulbs are in the instrument panel!!??

07-05-2004, 06:32 AM	#16
Grant Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: 聖地牙哥 Posts: 2,647 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Grant Feedback Score: 0 reviews	3 bulbs (there is a 4th one on s13's i think.. but doesnt affect the cluster much).

07-05-2004, 07:56 AM	#17
AlexAtPerformanceNissan Leaky Injector Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Duarte, SoCal Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	BMW runs red gauge cluster lighting on pretty much all of their cars... so i'm pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with the fact that it's red on red.... But it does look kinda wierd to see a 240 with a cluster that stands out that much.... i always loved the IntelliGlow needles.....very sweet looking and also very klean.. ;-) Klean with a "K." -Alex B. __________________ PERFORMANCE NISSAN AIM: NeedsMoSpeed MyNismo.com

07-05-2004, 01:55 PM	#22
Kid Zelda BANNED Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,347 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	TYYYPE XX OONNEEELLY

07-05-2004, 02:09 PM	#23
citizen Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,240 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: citizen Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So uh kid zelda, do you operate a lumber mill in your car or something, cuz thats a lot of dust in there. as to making to panel blue, it won't matter much as long as its not too bright. Of course it still is best to have red.

07-06-2004, 12:58 AM	#24
ALTRNTV Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Western Conference Posts: 9,429 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	on mine, i just used a red Sharpie on the tips of the needles, just like Twitchy, it looks cool, i'll post pics later

07-06-2004, 02:27 AM	#25
nightwalker Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay area Age: 46 Posts: 2,146 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the extra info guys. I pulled out a gazillion bulbs from other 240s at junkyards when I was DOHC guage cluster hunting. That, and the rest of the instrumentation in my car is amber. Just need to make the cluster match now. __________________ In life, we often cast the line of hope fishing for the best possible opportunity. Sometimes with enough effort, the things we catch are nothing short of amazing.

07-06-2004, 07:37 AM	#26
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I soo wanted the kouki guage cluster since its digital and its just rare, but the wiring harness is different on it. Anyways, I think the kouki cluster lights up red too? and it has red needles. __________________ Keep it Classy

07-06-2004, 07:41 AM	#27
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	almost forgot... can you spot whats* red?? heheh __________________ Keep it Classy

07-06-2004, 08:30 AM	#28
cdlong Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 44 Posts: 1,865 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: cdlong Feedback Score: 0 reviews	kid zelda, how do those look at night? got any pics? and did you use a sharpie or something else? or is that a stock jdm cluster? __________________

07-06-2004, 09:11 AM	#29
the head Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: in a dark room mastering the art of typing with one hand Posts: 2,164 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	hyper tek how did you change the color of your clock anyone know where on the net i can get those red bulb condoms for the gauge cluster i dont have any shops around here that carry VDO __________________ I never knew you could do that with an eggplant

07-06-2004, 10:22 AM	#30
Ghettokracker71 Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Don't look now... Age: 38 Posts: 3,327 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah Hypertek how the ***** did you do that?