Led Interior Lights

[westgl]

I just bought some of Flexible LED strips They call them DRL lighting, they are for the exterior, but they will work for my application, Making the interior brighter inside, It's an IQ it should be brighter, and they really light up the interior well, i wonder if those would fit inside the Mirror turn signal (in the non illuminated section as a driving light) section.

The stock interior light is Very dim, the wife and i went on a road trip and she was frustrated because of "THAT STUPID LIGHT" her words. But I have to agree I had to shine a light on it to see if it is on ;-)

As you can see from the first couple of pictures you can hardly tell there are any lights there, I will take some more pictures at Night so you can see how bright they are

I put two In back and two right under the upper part of the dash, where the two different colors on the dash meet, this is a good spot and made a huge difference, They light up the upper/middle dash right where you need it.

Now i have all the interior lighting i need, i also put a couple of subtle blue LEDS under the lower part of the dash to give that glow effect. I also put a couple LED strips inside my center console storage/armrest.

I could read a book by this lighting. Well it is not blindingly bright either, but it does light up the interior well.

I put a switch for each,

1 2ea LEDs Middle of dash

2. 2ea LEDs under lower dash

3. 2ea LEDs inside center console

I have three switches to turn on the different LEDs, each switch has it's own LED to tell you which switch is on, (in case the light was not a clue)they are wired to a power port so they turn off when car is shut off, But i was thinking about running a full time power port to the rear of the car for access from the rear, and I could power the rear light separate, like when you have groceries or have a need for in the back while the engine is off.

I guess i am committed to taking some pics now. I'll get some daytime shots and some night shots. That way you can see how they look during the day when you are not using them.

This was taken at noon so the lights will not appear very bright, But i will take some more when it gets dark out to give a comparison, The picture of the mirror select button I put the camera right down low so you can easily see the light , but even when you are sitting up normally, you can hardly see the light strip until you switch it on.

[aaronfife]

I was thinking about this the other day and thought it would be good to connect another light or led strip (like yours) directly to the main light. So everytime you open a door, the light will automatically switch itself on. Aswell as this I'm thinking about exploring DRL's aswell as few people on here have them but I'm thinking more on the lines of a Citroen DS3 style ;)

Good work fella :)

[tarquin]

It is very easy to take a feed from the dome light to feed other lighting which can be controlled from the switch on the dome light. and will mimic all the functions of it

David

[westgl]

Here are a few pics when it was dark and no other lights were on in the IQ

[westgl]

Yes i am going to do the Driving light, DRL that fit just under the hood when closed but shine through the lense.

I also want to put a second set of strip lights in the back to work off of the dome light, so when i unlock the car they should go on.

Since Heat is the major killer of LEDs they do not recommend putting them near a heat source.

[westgl]

I finished the DRL/Running lights today.

I will post some pictures, soon.

I have the lights under the dash & a second set of lights In the back/trunk hatch area to come on when you push the unlock button on the remote key, this lights up the interior, to greet you when picking up groceries and opening up the hatch or the doors. I would like to put a switch on this to turn it off or on.

[surfcitylocal]

Nice job Gary. I love blue. =)

[westgl]

Here are some pictures of what was done today

[aaronfife]

Looks great. I like the LEDs inside. Im doing the same on headlights but different design. Did you wire yours up through Battery and sidelights yeah? Seems its the easier option on here :)

[westgl]

I wired my DRL/driving lights to the OEM driving lights so they would only come on when you turn on the driving lights

[tarquin]

Hi there,

As your playing with LED's, I thought i might resurrect some of my posts from last year for you to see. I changed out all the orange dashboard and door and illuminated scuff plates to blue also will be documenting Heads up display and a picture is on here.Also a pic of my gear stick.Oh nearly forgot my tyre pressure sensor control also

David

[aaronfife]

David... May I ask how you went around changing the horrible orange standard bulbs in the speedo/rev counter part for blue ones? I could imagine taking half the dash out would be believeable lol?

Aaron

[tarquin]

Hello

Actually its all docunented on here blow by blow. I changed 78 LED's i changed them in the dash, the A/C unit, door switches, steering wheel navigation controls, start switch, the satnav unit, etc the LED's are very small and are soldered to printed circuit boards. I also have custom footwell lighting and puddle lights under the doors. I have done many Dome light modifications changing the 1/4watt for a 3 watt device so it looks the same but much much brighter. Have also extended the control ability of the dome light to rear lighting also modified video input to the tns510 satnav to except video films etc

David