ChicksHateMe
Member
Isn't that a sensor, and not an LED? Or maybe both? I thought I read somewhere in the manual that that was the light level sensor for turning on the running lights or car lights? Or is that somewhere else?
coffin
- Thread starter bvz
- Start date
Isn't that a sensor, and not an LED? Or maybe both? I thought I read somewhere in the manual that that was the light level sensor for turning on the running lights or car lights? Or is that somewhere else?
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
It is the light sensor, but I don't get it. Lights are on in the day. Lights are on in the night. The only thing that sensor does is dim the gauge lighting. BFD right?
I didn't open it up, but it comes out really easily, and I'm sure swapping the LED wouldn't be hard for an experienced tweaker.
I didn't open it up, but it comes out really easily, and I'm sure swapping the LED wouldn't be hard for an experienced tweaker.
ChicksHateMe
Member
From the pic, it has 3 wires. Looks like +12vdc (yellow), ground (black) and the sensor's output. If you dare, I bet you could put a small LED and a resistor across that +12 and ground.
If you are daring, you could either replace that sensor with an LED, or leave it there and drill a hole on the other side of it, and splice the new LED in. Cost about $4.00 for the two parts.
You can find blinking LED's around cheap. I saw one that was 3.2v, 35ma at RadioShack. Just need to put a resistor in series with it.
IF it's 12vdc on yellow, 12v - 3.2 = 8.8vdc left for the resistor. 8.8v divided by .035 amps = 251 ohms. So, you want to go higher and get at least a 270 ohm resistor in series with the LED to make a proper load.
The LED I was thinking of was RadioShack Catalog #: 276-016. I guess the actual part # is MSGBB557TA and if you search google for "MSGBB557TA_7_Color_LED.pdf" you'll find a document to tell you how using an 800 ohm could make it cycle through the colors. Red, Green, Blue, RG, GB, RB, and RGB. But with something like the 270 ohm resistor, it would cycle through the colors only every time you power up the front sensor. I don't know if that's just when you power up the car, or if it's tied to the light switch somehow.
Another cool idea I saw while looking how to do this too, was putting LED's in the cars cup holders. That would be pretty cool with a simple switch.
I'm thinking now, I could change all my interior lights with blue LED's and a resistor. Those do get pretty bright. That would be pretty cool too...
Back to making R2D2 with a flashing LED, I just don't know if you'd get in trouble having red and/or blue flashing lights coming from your dash. Wicked cool idea for a mod though...
If you are daring, you could either replace that sensor with an LED, or leave it there and drill a hole on the other side of it, and splice the new LED in. Cost about $4.00 for the two parts.
You can find blinking LED's around cheap. I saw one that was 3.2v, 35ma at RadioShack. Just need to put a resistor in series with it.
IF it's 12vdc on yellow, 12v - 3.2 = 8.8vdc left for the resistor. 8.8v divided by .035 amps = 251 ohms. So, you want to go higher and get at least a 270 ohm resistor in series with the LED to make a proper load.
The LED I was thinking of was RadioShack Catalog #: 276-016. I guess the actual part # is MSGBB557TA and if you search google for "MSGBB557TA_7_Color_LED.pdf" you'll find a document to tell you how using an 800 ohm could make it cycle through the colors. Red, Green, Blue, RG, GB, RB, and RGB. But with something like the 270 ohm resistor, it would cycle through the colors only every time you power up the front sensor. I don't know if that's just when you power up the car, or if it's tied to the light switch somehow.
Another cool idea I saw while looking how to do this too, was putting LED's in the cars cup holders. That would be pretty cool with a simple switch.
I'm thinking now, I could change all my interior lights with blue LED's and a resistor. Those do get pretty bright. That would be pretty cool too...
Back to making R2D2 with a flashing LED, I just don't know if you'd get in trouble having red and/or blue flashing lights coming from your dash. Wicked cool idea for a mod though...
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
I enjoy having an R2 unit helping me out as I drive. Some folks get a plastic Jesus, some drive with the Force, I guess. Love the idea of painting it up, don't think I'm likely to actually change the LED color though. The sensor handles the light levels, not just the gauge but the headlights and taillights, since day one I have been completely confident that I can ignore the lights unless I actually want to bump up to high beams, which I rarely do; R2's got that. Only trouble is I sometimes forget that I don't have automatic headlights in my F150!
The headrests are reversible or even removable; I yanked all four of mine, which improves comfort and visibility and reduces weight, but I keep one in the trunk for those occasions when I have someone tall in the car who would like one. Figuring out how to bend the bars so you can have rests that are in between the forward (look at your belly button damn it, this is for safety!) and the reversed (there's a headrest back there somewhere, maybe if you look out the sunroof while you drive you can feel it) positions would be nice but I haven't seen anyone do it thus far.
The headrests are reversible or even removable; I yanked all four of mine, which improves comfort and visibility and reduces weight, but I keep one in the trunk for those occasions when I have someone tall in the car who would like one. Figuring out how to bend the bars so you can have rests that are in between the forward (look at your belly button damn it, this is for safety!) and the reversed (there's a headrest back there somewhere, maybe if you look out the sunroof while you drive you can feel it) positions would be nice but I haven't seen anyone do it thus far.
BjorkFanSoph
New member
Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas
I finally noticed the coffin after having mine for 2+ years. So now I just imagine Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas sleeping in it.
I finally noticed the coffin after having mine for 2+ years. So now I just imagine Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas sleeping in it.