Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 10:02:34 -0700
Reply-To: "Mike D." <md03@XOCHI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Mike D." <md03@XOCHI.COM>
Subject: Quick Mod : Blue LED for Refrigerator
In-Reply-To: <20030811040343.4D94C5B7A2@smaug.dreamhost.com>
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I can't take credit -- saw the idea here :
<http://mywebpages.comcast.net/bl.bachman/vanagon.html> but note the
link is broken.
Last night I replaced the green refrigerator LED with a blue one. It
was a very easy procedure (detailed below) and has two benefits:
The blue light stands out from the other red,green,yellow colors, so
it's easier to tell at a glance if the fridge is on, and secondly,
the blue LED is so much brighter than the old green one that you can
actually see variations in the pilot flame strength. For example, I
can now tell if the flame is going to die out after lighting it when
I release the gas button. With the old green LED I couldn't see
those variations.
Time: about 1/2 hour
Cost: about $3 for a blue LED.
Tools: screwdrivers, soldering iron.
Instructions: (this was on an 85 Westy Full camper, YMMV):
1. Under sink cabinet there is a white electrical connector that
connects the monitor panel, Gently disconnect it.
2. Remove two screws from monitor panel.
3. Pull monitor panel out.
4. The black strain relief clip on the back can be removed with a
small flat blade screwdriver. It can be re-used, so be gentle.
5. Remove the circuit board. Look closely inside the green LED that
you are to remove. Inside you will see an asymmetrical pattern of
connections. Remember which one is on top.
6. Hold the LED in one hand, applying gentle pressure away from the
circuit board. Using a soldering iron, heat each of the connecters
on the back of the board while pulling. The LED should pop free.
7. Cut the leads on the new blue LED to match.
8. Look inside the blue LED and (remember step 5?) figure out which
side goes up.
9. Re-insert the blue LED into the holes, and while heating the
solder from the other side apply gentle pressure. It should go right
back in.
10. Install as the reverse of removal.
Note: most blue LEDs should not require that you change the resistor,
although be aware that modern LEDs are much more efficient than the
1985 models, so your new Blue one may be much brighter than the old
one.
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