Solved : I'm lost in the Farnell wood ! Need LEDs for illuminating VU meters

I want to illuminate some VU meters (7x3 cm) and can't find an appropriate LED type for a nice yellow API style effect.
I looked for ages at the Farnell site and cant decide which ones to choose.
Any help or pointing me to the right direction appreciated.

Haha, I've been lost in that same wood! I think that the best way to do it is to buy a few different white and yellow and try them out in the actual meter. One thing I found is that it's very tempting to use LEDs that are too bright, and too blue in colortemperature. Buy a few and decide later.

One trick I like to do is to use high brightness leds with rounded lens, then grind the rounded section off and give a mild polish with some wet and dry.

Gives a nice flat face for mounting against flat surfaces as well as nicely diffusing the led light.
The high intensity becomes quite good when used with the diffusing lens.

I've used a variety of colors this way and have been quite happy.
Also mixed colors with white leds.

Simple. Rapid Electronics.

http://www.rapidonline.com/


Frank B.

"warm white"

I ordered a few meters LED strip , we'll see.

If you're in the UK Maplins do a 12 volt LED strip with three LEDS on it.  Its nice and flat so you can put it inside the meter case itself.

Ledstrips arrived.
First I tried with a double strip, way too bright and still too white for my taste.
Then I added some yellow photo filter paper between the Leds and the back of the VU meter.
Done.

I like

Still need to add a small trimpot for adjustable brightness