There are LEDs available from some sources that have the biasing needed
for 12V operation built into the LED itself. Theory: it is probably not
a resistor inside, but a current regulator that will keep the LED the
same brightness within it's rated operating voltage. Hoever, that aspect
may be undesirable if you like to dim the lights out completely
someitmes.

RonAgon

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Roger Reynolds
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 1:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Blue LED instrument lighting

That is very similar to what I have been running in my Westy for a few
months now, but, I have a couple of issues that I'm still trying work
out before I put the info out.

But, if you do decide to try this, I would suggest that you go with the
"horizontal" mounting of the resistor instead of the "vertical"
orientation so the resistor doesn't touch the formed plastic sheet that
covers the instrument cluster.  This causes the light to flicker on and
off with vehicle movement.  Also, the resister that is pictured looks to
be of the same wattage rating that I had tried first and found to get
warm enough to eventually melt a hole through the formed plastic sheet.

I'm also experimenting with a few different LEDs and mounting depths to
get the light pattern to cover the entire instrument face.  When I
mounted mine as the one shown on the web site, the light was
concentrated in spot that only covered about the top 2/3 of the face
making it impossible to read the odometer numbers.

I just purchased a digital camera and will now be able to get some
photos ready for a future posting.

I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to finish this project and
write-up but my Vanagon has had higher priority problems and I've been
distracted by them.  I put a new motor in it this past weekend, so, I'm
hoping that I'll be able to get back to the LED project soon.