LED Project Ideas...

[Pwnin O'Brien]

So I've had a lot of downtime recently and I've been trying to think of some new LED project ideas for my Pathy. I would like to hear if anybody has any ideas or suggestions for a new LED project. Also, if anybody has any great LED mods that haven't been posted in the FAQ section or were posted a long time ago, I would love to see the mods to help give me some new ideas. One of my biggest concerns in doing an LED project is that I keep the cleanest, most stock looking setup possible. Of course, any LED project I complete will be well documented and I will post a HOW TO on NICO as soon as it's completed.

My latest idea, which may or may not be possible, is puddle lights. I noticed that underneath each side view mirror are three bolt holes which would be perfect mounting locations for some high intensity 10mm LED's. Of course, they would be triggered by the interior dome lights, but this would be simple to implement since the SECU is right next to the interior fuse box. I was also thinking about using the flexible LED strips under the vehicle running along the side skirts to light the ground. My only concern would be the strength of the adhesive used to hold them on and whether or not they would be able to weather the underside of the vehicle. I only want to implement one of these two puddle light ideas.

Another LED project I would like to try (which I know other members are attempting) is foot well lights. I would like to use some wide-angle LED's to dimly light the driver and passenger foot wells (and maybe the rear seat foot wells also, if it's feasible) when the headlamps/parking lamps are on. This would also be simple to implement since the illumination wire is easily accessible at the dimmer switch next to the steering wheel.

I am also trying to find a good LED distributor. The distributor I am using with the widest/cheapest selection is Newark.com. If anybody knows of any good distributors, please let me know.

[longhornsqx4]

Do your guys cars interior light up when you open the door? Mine doesnt, only the rear does. ID LOVE to have the lights turn on when I got into the car

Some LED's in the door panels (possibly when the door is ajar) would be sick as hell to

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Do your guys cars interior light up when you open the door? Mine doesnt, only the rear does. ID LOVE to have the lights turn on when I got into the car

Some LED's in the door panels (possibly when the door is ajar) would be sick as hell to

When I open any of the four doors only my center dome light lights up. When I open the hatch then the center dome light and rear cargo lamp light up. Are you saying you want the map lights to light up when you open the door?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

This is what I want to use in place of the bolts for the side view mirror puddle lights. This is an LED holder which acts as a bolt. I just need to find one in the right size (for a 10mm LED).

[slickroger]

that is the coolest thing i have ever seen.

where did you find those? how much? link?

your side view mirror puddle lights is such a good idea and i want to do it i just finished my blue interior need a couple more lights and ill be posting soon

[Pwnin O'Brien]

that is the coolest thing i have ever seen.

where did you find those? how much? link?

your side view mirror puddle lights is such a good idea and i want to do it i just finished my blue interior need a couple more lights and ill be posting soon

Those were from RadioShack and they came with a crappy LED and they cost $2.50. However, I found better ones at the other LED distributor I use which are much better and are MUCH cheaper, and they have a 10mm holder!!!

Here's a link to the product page: http://www.oznium.com/led-holder

[slickroger]

i have some of those i used them for my corner lights awhile ago which i found the pictures for recently and im going to post.

[KyooX4]

When I open any of the four doors only my center dome light lights up. When I open the hatch then the center dome light and rear cargo lamp light up. Are you saying you want the map lights to light up when you open the door?

You guys must have something wrong with your system. When I open any door or the hatch, all dome lights come on (which I've replaced with LEDs (9led white) )

Pwnin, that flexible LED strip idea seems neat. I would prefer that over the under-the-mirror method because it would provide light to all four doors, not just the front two. Depending on how it works out for you or whoever else does this, I might try it.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

You guys must have something wrong with your system. When I open any door or the hatch, all dome lights come on (which I've replaced with LEDs (9led white) )

Just the two dome lights (center dome light and cargo area dome light) come on when you open the doors, right? Your map/reading lights next to the rear view mirror in that roof console thing don't come on also.

[KyooX4]

Oh no. You were saying that your cargo light only comes on when you open the hatch. Both my center dome light and cargo light come on when I open any door or the hatch. The map lights just come on when you push the button to turn them on. I didn't say anything about map lights.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Hmmm, I'll have to test and see if my cargo area light comes on when I open any of the four doors. I didn't think it did, but I could be wrong.

[longhornsqx4]

Ya well my map lights NEVER come on, unless I turn them on. The cargo will turn on in the rear but I have that turned of because its not led like the rest.

Is there a switch or something??

[KyooX4]

There's switches on the center dome and cargo lights if that's what you're talking about. Three settings- off/auto/on.As for the map lights, unless you do some wiring, they just come on when you push their buttons.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Ya well my map lights NEVER come on, unless I turn them on. The cargo will turn on in the rear but I have that turned of because its not led like the rest.

Is there a switch or something??

They aren't supposed to turn on unless turned on manually/individually. This is really annoying because my center dome light doesn't do a good job of lighting up the front seats. It would be nice to somehow wire them up so they turn on with the dome lights.

[JonathanPrem]

I hate LED.s . It Burned out my safety neutral But then again i did try few different bulbs. Just make sure you don't play around with the LED. Just plug it in and leave it.

Just me 0.02 cents

[Empty V]

I hate LED.s . It Burned out my safety neutral But then again i did try few different bulbs. Just make sure you don't play around with the LED. Just plug it in and leave it.

Just me 0.02 cents

We're you using LED that were set with the proper resistance or did you just go to radioshack and pick up a raw LED?

Billy

[JonathanPrem]

We're you using LED that were set with the proper resistance or did you just go to radioshack and pick up a raw LED?

Billy

I got my LED from a led supplier from ebay.

[slickroger]

Pwnin, that flexible LED strip idea seems neat. I would prefer that over the under-the-mirror method because it would provide light to all four doors, not just the front two. Depending on how it works out for you or whoever else does this, I might try it.

Now you got me thinking that would be better but you could do both or even wire it so the mirror light comes on for the front doors only or add them to the signal lights

[KyooX4]

Yeah, but when opening the door and exiting, the door would most likely be casting a shadow on the ground where you're stepping out.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, the side view mirror puddle lights would only really be good for getting into the car. The only question about using the adhesive strip SMD LED's is how bright would they be and how long would they last underneath the car? If anybody has any experience with these please let us know.

[Empty V]

I got my LED from a led supplier from ebay.

I asked if they were ready for a 12v power supply. Are they just an LED or is there a resistor before the actual LED?

Billy

[Empty V]

I did foot well lights for the driver's side I just haven't taken pics. I drilled 10 holes in the driver's side plastic shielding under the steering column and glued LED's into each hole from the inside. The LED' already had flanged in the housings so that made them easy to mount. Each LED is set for 12v and is wired into a bussing strip, from there it goes into a potentiometer and then into an AC wire. I tried calculating the proper OHM rating for the potentiometer but the only thing that worked was just trying a bunch of different values. Originally I went on a lighting forum ask asked how to dim 12v LED's and everyone said it couldn't be done. I've used wall mounted rheostats for speaker volume control before so I knew there had to be a way, the concept was the same. Here's a pic of the LED's before they were installed.





Billy

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I did foot well lights for the driver's side I just haven't taken pics. I drilled 10 holes in the driver's side plastic shielding under the steering column and glued LED's into each hole from the inside. The LED' already had flanged in the housings so that made them easy to mount. Each LED is set for 12v and is wired into a bussing strip, from there it goes into a potentiometer and then into an AC wire. I tried calculating the proper OHM rating for the potentiometer but the only thing that worked was just trying a bunch of different values. Originally I went on a lighting forum ask asked how to dim 12v LED's and everyone said it couldn't be done. I've used wall mounted rheostats for speaker volume control before so I knew there had to be a way, the concept was the same. Here's a pic of the LED's before they were installed.

Billy

Do you have any pics after they were installed?

[K03sport]

If anyone is interested in doing foot well lighting, just pick up some 4" cold cathode light tubes (cclt) like ones that are used in computer case lighting.

There are companies that make inverters for 12V systems and the lights comes in lots of colors.

I am currently using a 6" in the hatch of my car and it is worlds better than the 3W light stuck at the bottom on the side. I used the stock power location by soldering the power leads and mounted the light under some trim.

The common sizes are 4", 6" and 12" and I would recommend getting the two pack.

Here is a company I've ordered from before.

[Empty V]

Do you have any pics after they were installed?

I'll see if I can take some pics tonight.

Billy

[JonathanPrem]

I asked if they were ready for a 12v power supply. Are they just an LED or is there a resistor before the actual LED?

Billy

I think it was 12v one. Its all over ebay.ca

[Empty V]

I think it was 12v one. Its all over ebay.ca

Never mind dude.

Billy

[Qxxx4]

Pwin, im also wrist deep in the LED additions. I plan on putting some underglow lighting under my side steps but thats next year since this winter i will be getting a friend to refabricate the underpinnings of my qx4 steps that are rotten. This winter i will roll without side steps and properly paint/undercoat the bottom of them.

Before the fall though i hope to finish up my LED mods. Guys, i have bought quite a bunch of crap and havent used much thanks to lack of time. I waxed my q and polished the wheels yesterday, and tonight i cracked open the SECU and under steering wheel area to get going on this. Heres where im stuck, i already have LED turn signals...19 led's per bulb ...2x amber for front and 2x red for rear *keep it oem looking* Those are not going to work until i get the combination flasher working, well i have two sitting around for japanese application, but spent close to an hour LOOKING for the damn relay. Ive located and identified them all and none are to do with the flashers. I even turned the flashers on and tried to find where the relay was by sound, nope. It seems that the person who installed the remote starter (previous owner, i disconnected the damn thing) made a mess of the wiring.

Next, my SECU, where exactly is it, is it simply that plug to the left of where i hook up obd2 readers? if its as simple as popping wires into there for my lighting id be so glad. It got dark before i could investigate anything so i will try my luck tommorow. any advice much appreciated. I want to locate the SECU door light pin so i can connect my "puddle lights" i bought 2 strips of 1 foot, 24led, weatherproof off ebay and will be installing them on the door panel for when i open the door. I also want some white floor lighting for those times i drop something in the dark.

heres some pics of what im dealing with, and pics of one of the puddle lights connected to my power supply for testing brightness *their aweeeesommmeeee*

EDIT....is this the combo flasher?? damn i love my blackberry storm, it was dark as hell and now that i look at pics i think i found the relay for the signals! I have 2 setup for LED but i guess i just need 1

Modified by Qxxx4 at 9:46 PM 9/12/2009

Modified by Qxxx4 at 9:47 PM 9/12/2009
Modified by Qxxx4 at 9:55 PM 9/12/2009

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Those are not going to work until i get the combination flasher working...

What do you mean to get it working?

my SECU, where exactly is it, is it simply that plug to the left of where i hook up obd2 readers

The SECU is located right next to the interior fuse box (to the right). There should be three larger wire harnesses going into it. I can't see it in any of your pictures but it may just be blocked by that metal brace.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

In the following diagram you can see the location of the SECU and combination flasher unit...