DIY:Boost Gauge Mod To Defi D-Series

[firstars]

Ive been using the DEFI D series boost gauge for a few years and love how it matches the interior and lights up nice and bright. The only problems I had with the gauge is it lights up amber and reads about 3 psi too high. (sits at 3 when car is off) I am now determined to fix both these problems. If all goes well I will have a gauge that reads properly and matches the interior red lighting.

Here it is stock.


They don't make this gauge anymore so im attempting this with no space gauge or parts.


Here it is all taken apart.


Rather then using a red LED like other boost gauges I've seen this one uses 3 bright white leds soldered onto the board and transparent amber backing on the face plate. It lights up very bright and even. Im planning on sanding off the amber section and either spraying it with a red tint or using red acetate gels cut to size. I work in a photo studio so there are plenty of different red gels lying around. I think I may go this route or at least try it first. It would allow me to change the red density by adding or removing gels.



The faceplate is very thin so I must be careful when sanding it down. Once this is done im going to paint the outer ring black with dupicolor and dremel my vent to fit it. I'll then have a steering wheel pod for sale if anyone wants it!

wish me luck![O_O]

[firstars]

Got the old amber sanded off the back. The red gel idea isn't going to work. The white parts still look amber. I think I should replace the white LED's with 3 red ones. Anyone know where to get very bright red LED's to match the 99.5 interior? This would look great as is on a white backlit interior but I want red!

[t1demont1]

Radio shack?

[firstars]

true dat. i was just wondering if anyone had first hand experience with ones that match well and are bright so i wouldnt have to experiment. I know when ppl upgrade the VDO leds.

[Russell2686]

VDO leds are way diffrent than those. The ones in your gauge look like surface mount leds

LED in my vdo

from 42 draft designs

[firstars]

:(

[k0mpresd]

http://mouser.com should have leds that type.

i just modded my cable modem with those same types of led's. but they were from a 2006 vw passat gauge cluster. and blue.

very good luck with your project.





b5 related: i also did a profec b boost controller. but the red i used was too bright. and they were smaller than leds you have.

[firstars]

thanks buddy

[firstars]

heres some shots after the surgery, everything turned out great. Dremeled the vent very carefully this time around and it came out perfect. Painted the ring black, got rid of the plastic ring on the boost gauge and after trying 8 different leds found a perfect match for the audi red interior (I mean spot on color and brightness) PM me if you want the brand and part number of the LED's I have them on a receipt. I know they were bright red but not hyper red, possibly made by kingston. The photos make my interior look speckled.




also did the yellow fog thing and painted my rings and trim with plasti-dip and aluminum colored rustolium. Way better then chrome.

[k0mpresd]

congrats.

[Russell2686]

sweet sticker on the window dude