Date:         Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:57:46 -0800
Reply-To:     John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Using the "extra" LEDs in the instrument cluster
Comments: To: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@IP-SOLUTIONS.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <ro4s1ssnbyfwk4tk9yc2a706.1327791348008@email.android.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I did use a diesel glow plug LED for other purposes on Steve Dolan's old '80 Westy when he installed a bit T4 in it.  I actually installed the cluster to use the diesel water temp gage in the clock, right down to the flashing LED as a head temp gage.  Used a stock L-jet head temp sensor installed over on #1, and as I recall using a simple voltage splitter with some 1% resistors to get it in calibration range where I wanted it.  Made a nice little unit for air cooled van, calibrated for a nice 200-450F range and blinked at about 350-375F as I recall.  We used the yellow glow plug LED for an idiot light for something else.  So if you got spare LEDs, by all means go for it, sky is the limit for your uses.  I do seem to recall (and this is 10+ years ago, so I'm not sure) that there was something odd or interesting about the VW LEDs.  I even want to say that whatever it was had changed between the '80 cluster and the '83 diesel cluster, but I really am
 going out on a limb there.  Perhaps some had a built in drop resistor and some didn't, I really don't recall, but something odd about the ones at least out of one cluster.  I remember that I wanted to do an LED linear voltmeter for an O2 sensor, and that I decided the factory LEDs were somehow unsuitable, or perhaps just I figured the mounting unsuitable, or number available in a row there insufficient or something.  I ended up putting it up on top instead anyway using my own LEDs.  Undoubtedly buried in a post either on vanagon or type2 depending if we had split by then or not...
 
John
 

________________________________
 From: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@IP-SOLUTIONS.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:55 PM
Subject: Using the "extra" LEDs in the instrument cluster
  

Hi All,

Has anyone utilized the unused LEDs in the instrument cluster and done a write up on it?

I'd like to use one for my check engine light but am a bit afraid to go messing with the ribbons.

Cheers,
Harry 

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