Depending on where you get them, some LEDs will come packaged with the proper resistor. If you get the LED from an automotive website or store, in most cases they come with the resistor to make it work with the "standard 12volt" car. I know oznium.com sends the proper resistors with the LED if you select "yes" when you order.

 

for the 3mm LEDs from 1500-5000mcd anywhere from 100-200 ohm resistor is fine in most cases, for the 5mm ones i personally used a 470 ohm resistor on each led, you could use more LED on one resistor but i rather do it right the first time an not have to do it again...ever

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=26207

I'm telling you, this guy is great to deal with.

He gives you the resistors in most of his auctions, and you can't hardly beat his price.

About the only LED's that come with the resistors in them already are the plug and play style, like www.SuperBrightLEDs.com 's 194 plug in style.

For everyone that doesn't think they need a resistor/wants to see why you need a resistor - ever - just give the LED strait power - and either cover your eyes, or don't do it for long.

 

So what's a good viewing angle to get? And what size is a good size? I see there is a 3mm and 5mm. And a viewing angle from 15-60 degrees.

 

ive done this.. not easy trust me.. i have a 97 camaro.. i used 3mm leds.. whereever you order the leds from will tell you whihc resistors to use.. cut off your ****e lights entirely and just use those wires to wire the leds..

i used white leds but they still show up blue due to a film in the controls..

i went all out.. i did the lights in the doors to light up the window switches, the SGS and fog light switchs, the a/c area and the healdight control ****.. i also added 194 led bulbs behind the gauges and made some custom clear gauge needles.. if you want a write up on the needles visit www.projectcamaro.com

o and the SGS and fog light swiyches are a bitch.. getting all that wiring, leds, and resistors to fit in the switch..

 

Just an update for the writeup on taking the dash apart. I don't want you all that wanted it to think I forgot. It will be done tomorrow. I've already written most of it, but while I was writing, I noticed there were some things I did not get pictures of.

 

Very interested. I can't stand the stock colored controls.

 

Well thanks for the post on the clear needles....... i will now have something to do tommorrow.... love the way those look and i hate the way my orange needles light in front of my blue gauages........
as for the led's, i have put blue in the SGS, and replaced the ones that shine down on the door handle as well, looks like i'ma have to try the hvac now.....
BTW..... Thanks for posting about sanding the LED's...... if that truly works, that is awesome!!!

 

you may want to consider taping the sides an have a thin line of arcrylic paint going down the needle not on the bottom i found it works better on the top that way the LED shines thru @ night nicely, in the daytime the clear needles were too much of a bitch to see when its sunny an the tops are off....just thought u may wanna consider it