R33 Clock Mod *update With Pics

[tek_01]

Just got a second hand r33 clock that i want to mod so it has a blue lcd display instead of green to match the rest of my interior lights

now question is what sort of display is it? some form of 7 segment display? im pretty sure is microprocessor controlled and i see an IC under the display but ive never seen these displays before (i work as an rf tech for defence)

im guessing no one has done it so far?

anyhow any ideas would be good, how is the r32 clock? is it interchangeable coz i hear they have a bulb that gives them the light???

Edited September 22, 2007 by tek_01

[**JaR**]

this guy has done it...from what I remember there's some sort of tape/film that you put over it and it makes it blue...

[tek_01]

this guy has done it...from what I remember there's some sort of tape/film that you put over it and it makes it blue...

whos "this guy"? just a pic you found or someone from here??

looks good and would be easier to do

[Bliksem]

might be easier to change the 'condoms' on the little globe that illuminates is or fit blue led's.

I think places like dick smith, jaycar sell them

[stenve]

i had a look at this while doing my lights and came to the conclusion that you'd need to replace the screen. didnt think of uses a blue film though... that could work.

if you make any progress be sure to let us know, as im pretty interested in this also

[tek_01]

mintr33 it is not a globe it is some form of lcd display (i think 32's have a globe) so you cant change the globe or put condoms on there

i will take the clock into work tomorrow and hopefully one of the senior tech's will point me in the right direction

[cooks44]

Pretty sure it's vacuum flurescent - old school, but good (and bright!) Don't think you can change the colour of the clock easily; blue film sounds like the best idea.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

as above....i wacked some red film in cause i hate green and wanted red but got a grey/white result. im sure if i put a second red film it will turn red, just couldnt be arsed anymore..ha

[tek_01]

yes as stated above, its a VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) which can be changed but the prices of these things are $200+!!! so dont think ill take that approach

will instead be putting a peices of plastic/perspex infront of it... something they use already on some lcd displays etc

only thing is getting the correct colour to make it blue... will be going to plastix some time this week and getting some samples

will report back

[scooter_r33]

as above....i wacked some red film in cause i hate green and wanted red but got a grey/white result. im sure if i put a second red film it will turn red, just couldnt be arsed anymore..ha

nice...

what do you use as the "film"?

and did you just take the clock out and put it behind the clear lens?

I was thinking about changing mine blue also... to match the rest of my interior.

Its gotta add some kw too!

[CEF11E]

I did the same thing to my R32 climate control screen to change it from nasty green to red.

I used a red piece of cellophane called "gel" that is used in TV studios for changing the color of lighting.

it worked perfectly however it was so dark you couldn't see it unless it was dark. the VFD was green and putting red over it seemed to cancel out most of the light.

[scooter_r33]

I did the same thing to my R32 climate control screen to change it from nasty green to red.

I used a red piece of cellophane called "gel" that is used in TV studios for changing the color of lighting.

it worked perfectly however it was so dark you couldn't see it unless it was dark. the VFD was green and putting red over it seemed to cancel out most of the light.

lol why didnt i think of using a gel!

i have stacks of different colored gels. we use them for video productions sometimes.

theatre companies and stage companies usually have it too.

have to give it a go. i'll post up some pics when it's done.

[baron25]

I did the same thing to my R32 climate control screen to change it from nasty green to red.

I used a red piece of cellophane called "gel" that is used in TV studios for changing the color of lighting.

it worked perfectly however it was so dark you couldn't see it unless it was dark. the VFD was green and putting red over it seemed to cancel out most of the light.

It's a green light, so putting a red filter over it will stop the green light from coming through.

there's no red in green, so not much will pass through.

--> if you want a blue light, you'll need a blue filter, to remove the yellow component of the green.

[tek_01]

I went to plastix and bought a 3mm thick peice of coloured perspex, cant remeber the number probably 302

anyhow you can try it in there as they have sample peices.

perfectly blue clock and a/c panel

only thing is, it gets a little darker if u put it behind the existing tinted glass and if you replace the glass you can see the blue perspex in the daylight which doesnt look that good so its kind of a lose lose lol

anyhow its only dark in the bright daytime in direct sunlight but still readable.

FYI perspex cost $10 as it was the minimum purchase price and i got a sheet about 200x200mm so enought to do plenty lol

if i can be f**ked ill take a picture

[tek_01]

took some photos, these were in daylight

not too bad

[R334door(s2)]

took some photos, these were in daylight

not too bad

cool where can i get this stuff from to make it blue im in adelaide any help would be grate mate.

cheers Allan

[R334door(s2)]

any1?????

[Fry_33]

To find some perspex in your area either yellow pages perspex in your area/state or google the same.

I'm in Melb and went to a local plastics store and got some off cuts. Was trying to take some photos of the result of holding them over the clock and air con tonight to see the effect. Oh, taking photos of LED's just doesn't do them justice for some reason.

Ok, firstly here's a pic of the standard dash (R33)

Here is some 301 Medium Blue perspec, (my el cheapo tape measure says it's about 3mm thick)

Medium Blue (301) over the Clock results in this

Medium Blue (301) over Clock & AC looks like this (Could never get a goot photo of AC as it seems slightly darker.

This looked a little light so I tried using 2 layers of the Medium Blue 301 ( I don't know if there's room in the clock or AC to do this, just thought I'd try).

Medium Blue (301), 2 layers over Clock.

Blue 302 looks like this

Blue (302) over clock

I have an Apexi EL2 Analog Boost Gauge which has a blue light, I took a pic to compare one layer of Blue (301) over the clock. Tried to get them in the same pic to compare, came out quite dark.

I think I will buy some Blue Dash & AC LED's off of Dan and hopefully they will match one of these shades of blue.

Edited October 3, 2007 by Fry_33

[Craved]

Fry_33

awesome post mate

[Fry_33]

Ok, I finally bought some LED's off of 666Dan Link.

I went with blue and have taken some pics while I try to sort out colours for the clock and AC display.

Firstly here is the standard dash..

And with the new LED's..

I then took the clock apart..

Installed some 302 Blue Perspex over the screen.. and then put it back together.

I took the AC control apart next.

Then installed perspex onto this too..

Put them all back together and had a look.. This is with the lights OFF

Centre console with the lights ON

Here's one comparing the centre console to the dash with the lights ON

It is not fantastic and my Apexi Boost Gauge isn't as blue as it used to seem against the new lights. The Clock and AC screen get darker when the lights are turned on. I think the colour would match better if they didn't dim. My AC screen is darker than the clock and I am thinking of trying the 301 Blue perspex for that to brighten it up.

I was thinking the I could find out which wire gives power to the AC Controls to let it know the lights are on and cut it but that would probably mean the buttons wouldn't light up. Maybe there is a resistor on the circuit board that would be easy to swap over over or just replace with another or plain wire.

Just for those interested here's what the AC looks like without the shaded plastic infront of it.