HVAC LED Conversion - Submitted by Ilanpro
Tools and Materials needed:
Blue LEDS (13)
Red LEDS (4)
Resistors
Wide Angle 194 LEDS (3)
Foil Paper
Krazy Glue
Solder
Phillips Screwdriver
Soldering iron w/ fine tip
1. Remove the dash fascia. See this DIY if you need help with this.
2. Remove the four screws holding in the HVAC unit.
3. Unplug the various connections on the back of the unit.
4. Remove knobs by pulling them off.
5. Remove the original bulbs.
6. On the back of the unit remove the 4 Phillips screws on the corners to open the unit as well as the screw for the speed Potentiometer (middle) with a slight twist remove the Potentiometer.
7. On the top and bottom there are 4 tabs; carefully pry them with a small screwdriver to access the circuit board (once opened you have just voided the warranty!).
8. Without touching the circuit board unscrew it to totally removing it. Then put it aside.
9. The backs of the controls have some crystal-like plexy used to make the light spread evenly. Glue the blue LED's on the fan speed control bottom pointing towards the plexy and repeat this to the selector and same to the temperature control. On the temperature control place a red LED to the hot side making sure you keep the anodes pointing up and the cathodes pointing down.
10. Then in the middle of the plexy (pointing towards the knobs) drill a sinker hole to glue a red LED.
11. Solder your resistors in place with 2 LED's per resistor.
12. Place all the negative points together into a cable long enough to reach one of the holes.
13. Wrap the plexy with aluminum foil to make a better reflection (make sure you tape the leads from the LED's, the foil will conduct energy).
14. Assemble the unit and solder the wide angle LED's (194's) You don't need resistors on these. The positive (+) side is the bottom. Note: Be certain you've determined the positive side (+) before soldering!
15. Cut the cover to fit the LED's for assembly.
16. Reassemble the unit. And reinstall the unit and dash fasica.
Helpful pictures:
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