ULTIMATE 89~94 240sx Climate HVAC LED Conversion [18 large pictures]

[djdryon]

(I POSTED THIS ON 240SX FORUMS A FEW DAYS AGO AND THOUGHT YOU GUYS AT ZILVIA MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK)


I saw the other Climate LED conversion from NICO and started it. Due to the POOR light output, I decided to engineer a better LED conversion. it takes more work, time, and effort, but it is completely reversible, and doesn't require soldering (but CAN be soldered if you want). The way I did it allows complete customization in case you want to things like color fades or whatever else fits your fancy. For my car I used all red LEDs except the 7th one, which is UV (to match the bulbs in my cluster)

First, Disassemble your Climate Control Unit (directions: FAQ/Write-up: S13 HVAC/climate control and dash switch light bulb replacement.: 240SX Forum / 180SX Forum / Silvia Forum: Nissan Forums / Infiniti Forums - NICOclub (http://www.240sxforums.com/forums/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.nicoclub.com%2Fzerot hread%3Fid%3D282768))

Tools required:

7 12v LEDs w/ decently long wires (if you buy frosted tip LEDs you can skip the sandpaper)
Wire Strippers (or Scissors ^_^)
X-ACTO Knife or razor blade
Sandpaper (any grit is ok, but I used 100)
Electrical Tape
and most importantly, your HVAC/Climate Control Unit

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/05.jpg


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NOTE: if you are starting this project from scratch, skip to step 4
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1. If you followed the other LED conversion ( Another HVAC LED thread with pics for those interested: 240SX Convertible Forum: Nissan Forums / Infiniti Forums - NICOclub (http://www.240sxforums.com/forums/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.nicoclub.com%2Fzerot hread%2F174340) ) you should have something similar to this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/01.jpg

2. if you notice, I did not solder the bulbs, but instead opted to use the existing holders (mainly because I was too lazy to go to my parents to get my iron) it was pretty easy and looked similar to stock:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/02.jpg

3. the first thing i did was disassemble the bulb. afterwards i had this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/03.jpg

I was keeping the bulb, but if you soldered the bulb the leads might be too short.

4. Cut your LED wires in 3 different lengths (you'll find out why later)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/06.jpg

5. Thread the longest wire through the bulb hole as shown, and if you are using the bulb-holder method, cut it down until you have something like below. (if soldering, skip to step 8):

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/07.jpg

6. Stick the leads through the holes at the base of the bulb holders, then wrap the leads around the head of the bulb holder like this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/08.jpg

7: Twist the bulb holder back into place making sure the power is on the right side (the power sides face eachother, and the grounds face towards the front and rear of the unit respectively) I wrapped the wires in tape at the head of the bulb holder just to make sure they stayed in there securely.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/09.jpg

you can see that from the top, it looks almost completely stock:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/10.jpg

8. Use the X-ACTO or razor to cut a section of insulation off of the wires so that you can splice into them for the other two you will be using:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/11.jpg

afterwards, you should have something like this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/12.jpg

9. splice the wires in and wrap them with electrical tape, then put the bulbs into place, after which, you should have something that looks like this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/13.jpg

10. Now, plug the Climate Control unit into your car to make sure the lights work and you like where they are located. (and that when you push the buttons they wont fall out)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/14.jpg

another picture showing the brightness compared to my head unit (which is pretty freaking bright, even with the dimmer on)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/15.jpg

11. Now, follow steps 4-10 with the other bulb hole (to balance the load) the 7th wire you want to keep full length, so you can put it in the lower space to illuminate the slider display.


12. Put everything back together and you are almost finished! yaay!!! If you did the bulb method your unit should look like this:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/16.jpg

13. Now its time to put the Climate Control back in the car and enjoy your BRIGHT LED unit. it is bright enough to not be drowned out by my deck.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/17.jpg

you can see from the following picture that they are bright enough to be seen with the interior lights on:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/LEDHVACDIY/18.jpg

feel free to post questions, comments, and YOUR CUSTOM CREATIONS!!!!!!!!



Oh, and I'm thinking of making an easy-install kit available in any color(s) let me know if any of you might be interested.

[S-Nation S13]

looks good man i like the led light setup!!!

BTW im interested in the easy kit in amber but whats the cost gonna be like ???

[94_240sx]

Mine is so dim and looks terrible, but I'll DCC swap pretty soon. That's my winter project.

[josephin510]

these seem pretty cool not for me doe

[roplusbee]

A kit sounds interesting. I am willing to entertain the idea. How much?

[burnsauto]

ooo, and you can get new buttons from the dealership, so the thing would look so fresh and crispy.

fun colors.

I'd get a "kit"

[djdryon]

hmm. i'm thinking about 20 for the kit. that's about $6 for the bulbs, $10 for time and testing and $4 for packing materials... you'd have to use your own bulb base though, unless someone knows where I can get hookup for bulk bulb bases. I can cover shipping for the first few as long as its not too expensive to where you are.

as far as buttons are concerned, I dont believe the dealer sells them individually. if i'm wrong, I could do the full installation plus the cost of buttons, minus installation time but you have to mail me your unit and cover shipping

[dat411kid]

Hmm cool...I would be down for a kit...

[johngriff]

What is your heat performance like?

Any flickering?

Why no resistor in your circuit?

[djdryon]

What is your heat performance like?

Any flickering?

Why no resistor in your circuit?

no flickering whatsoever. no visible heat problems. I've used the same LEDs for the rest of my dash lights and so far no problems whatsoever.

the resistors are built-in where the LED posts are soldered to the wires, so 0% current problems.


@dat411kid: email me [email protected] with information.

[240sxvaj]

this is really nice

[Martino]

Just what I've been looking for!

Mine have started acting up in my 180.
They've got PMS and work when they want...

[P_856]

nice im going to try this one day, off topic but did u make that ashtray cupholder or did u buy it?

[sidewaysonmy180]

thats cool. and the colors are dope. have you tryed the led version for your dash?

[djdryon]

thats cool. and the colors are dope. have you tryed the led version for your dash?

yeah. i converted all the dash lights (minus the idiot lights) to LED. all my switches/buttons are red and the gauges are purple with red needles..


nice im going to try this one day, off topic but did u make that ashtray cupholder or did u buy it?

i bought it on ebay from carbon_os (http://myworld.ebay.com/carbon_os/). he makes a lot of unique parts and i figured i'd try him out. quality for him is inconsistent, but if something he makes you breaks or is defective he's totally down to remake it for you free of charge. last thing i thought of getting of his was a carbon fiber arm rest... but i decided i'm just going to go to the garage to make one myself. we have a full shop and plenty of carbon, but i dont want to use up all of the team's resources making random stuff for myself haha.

[sidewaysonmy180]

dude snap some pixs of your dash. i kinda did it. the big lights i just got some pep boys led it looks cool. not really bright kinda just changed the color of the dash to white instead of the yellowy stock bulbs.

[Ceepo]

thats a bad ass cup holder :P

[djdryon]

thats a bad ass cup holder :P

yes it is. you have one?


here's the pic of my dash. i didnt have all the buttons in when i took this, and i've been too lazy to take another pic. colors are a tad off cause my cell doesnt have the best white balance. i guess i'll get off my lazy butt tonight and try to take a pic with my dSLR

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/1031090005.jpg

[djdryon]

more pictures with all the buttons in.

this is during the day.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/1117090003.jpg

and this is during the night.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n204/dryonsphotos/1117090004.jpg

im extremely pleased with how everything looks.

[cjmirabal1]

sorry to revive old thread!

just wondering if u were still making kits???

[djdryon]

sorry to revive old thread!

just wondering if u were still making kits???


Sorry for the late reply. Yeah, I'm still making kits, but I'll be in Japan until the first week off March. If you're willing to wait, I can hook you up with free shipping, provided its not epically far. I'm going to start making kits for the digital climate as well, as I plan to swap.

[usdm180sx]

You should include a writeup for the DCC

[boyou2]

Just a question, I think I didn't miss it : you put the bulbs 'into' the buttons that's right?

THX.

[brndck]

You should include a writeup for the DCC

+1. make a kit for DCC. i'm lazy, i'll buy it.