Adding an overhead LED...

[blindman10]

Alright, I'd like to add an LED in the ceiling (over the center console) to provide ambient light. A lot of newer cars and luxury cars have had these for years and I'd like one in my car so I can see the center console in the dark.Here is an example of the LED in the map light panel And here is a pic of the light shining on the consoleI have an idea of where I want to add it and am familiar enough with wiring however I am new to the vibe and was curious if anyone knows the best wire to tap into so that the added LED only turns on when the lights are on (like the rest of the backlighting). I was thinking of trying to tap into the power wire for the HVAC backlights? Is there a fuse location I could use and 'add a fuse' to have the same results?Any pointers/better ideas?If I'm able to do this and have it look nice, I'll do a write up!

[joshuaeb09]

I think with an add a fuse and a relay you should be able to use the lighting control box(where you disable DRL's and etc.) to have it come on with the parking lamps or the headlights. I think someone on the forums here had posted a pinout for it. Just use a super narrow beam LED so that you don't light up the whole cabin . I think it will be awesome if done correctly. Might have to undertake it in my 09 if it comes out well.

[blindman10]

Parts have all arrived and the project has begun...hoping for completion this weekend!

[A Psycho Martyr]

that's really neat You using that same "hyper-white" color?Or are you going for a soft white?

[blindman10]

I'm actually using a red LED..I figure that will match the rest of the lighting well and won't strain my eyes/fill the car with too much light.If it ends up being strange with the red, I'll probably just use a pure white...

[MotoAce51]

The VW Passat has red LED's like your talking about. I think they are mounted to the mirror. The red is a little darker and not as bright but works well.

[Sublimewind]

My moms Malibu has light green LEDs in the overhead console and over the door handles, they are VERY dim, and set back into the trim so you never see the bulb, just the light..

[blindman10]

Success! I finished everything up yesterday afternoon. I tried to take a picture of the effectiveness of the LED, but it didn't work out so well. It is just bright enough to be able to see items in the cup holders or in the center console but dim enough that it isn't distracting. The coverage on the single LED lights up from the shifter to the front half of the lid of the center console. The light obviously spills over onto the driver/passengers seat a little but only by a few inches...a bit more than the photo of the blue LED I attached in the 1st post.It will take me a while to get a write up finished (I took a TON of photos) but here is a few shots to hold you over BEFORE:AFTER (LED on)After (LED off)

[jkm311]

Cool! It looks so stock. Eager to see your other photos.Now to wonder where someone like me, without a moonroof, could hide/install this. I can only think of behind/under my mirror between the maplights???Your write-up might make me confident enough to try this.

[A Psycho Martyr]

Nice and clean. You can hardly tell it's there Can't wait to see that night shot with it on

[blindman10]

Quote » jkm311 wrote:Cool! It looks so stock. Eager to see your other photos.Now to wonder where someone like me, without a moonroof, could hide/install this. I can only think of behind/under my mirror between the maplights???Your write-up might make me confident enough to try this.I would think you could adapt this to your vehicle. Unfortunately it may prove to be a bit more difficult but I'm not sure how hard it would be to disassemble the mirror...and you will probably have to remove your entire headliner

[A Psycho Martyr]

Quote, originally posted by blindman10 »I'm not sure how hard it would be to disassemble the mirror...and you will probably have to remove your entire headliner Surely it's not THAT hard.... Run wires up the a-Pillar and just pull down on the front of the headliner. Unless the power source IS the dome light, in which case he could gank it out and maybe fish his wires thruy to where he needs em with a wire hanger? Because removing the headliner requires a loooooot of work. I'll do a how-to on it pretty soon tho if you think you have to and can wait to do yours

[jkm311]

Yeaaah....Maybe somewhere in the dash. The trouble is angling it down. I would actually really dig one shining from just below the shifter area. I wonder if popping out the storage door underneath allows such access... up.

[A Psycho Martyr]

I think it does, but it'd be hard to see hwta you're doing. It may be easier to pull the trim out from around the shifter and look down in there. You could see just fine and should work out great. That's a pretty good idea to put one there.

[jkm311]

Ooh, what about one mounted from the center console, just below the tab you pull up. It would shine AT the shifter. Maybe too high to do any good for the storage areas. Might only provide an aesthetic glow. Could I tap into the OEM wiring I used to install the 12V cig lighter? It would be on when I'm driving/in acc, and off when I kill the ignition. I'm just crazy enough to do this...EDIT: Crap. That's my cell phone storage spot. There must be a way...

[A Psycho Martyr]

Quote, originally posted by jkm311 » There must be a way...runs off 12 volts ^click for link^

[blindman10]

Quote, originally posted by jkm311 »Ooh, what about one mounted from the center console, just below the tab you pull up. It would shine AT the shifter. Maybe too high to do any good for the storage areas. Might only provide an aesthetic glow. Could I tap into the OEM wiring I used to install the 12V cig lighter? It would be on when I'm driving/in acc, and off when I kill the ignition. I'm just crazy enough to do this...EDIT: Crap. That's my cell phone storage spot. There must be a way...It wouldn't be very hard to do this at all. You could tap into the 12v that is under the console for the center console accessory plug, to the best of my knowledge that is ignition controlled but WOULD be one whenever you drive - regardless of whether it is night/day. All the wiring could be hidden and you'd only have to drill one hole in the center console. The only other issue is it may be hard to recess the led in a fashion that keeps it discreet/hidden...but if that isn't your desired result then it'd work!

[blindman10]

In other news, I've started the write up and hpe to have it posted on Sunday.Also, sorry for (possibly) messing up the margins with a large picture, but here is my best attempt at a photo of the LED at night. I used various shutter speeds, and I feel that based on the brightness of the dash lights, somewhere in the middle probably looks the closest. This is with an 8000 mcd 30 degree LED (if anyone was wondering). A 15 degree of the same intensity might be better, but I'm afraid it might be a bit too narrow.Like I said before, the spill seems to be the brightest from the shifter to about back halfway across the center console storage compartment and about 6” into each seat.

[blindman10]

Edited to add picture of the light in the dark!

[blindman10]

Write up is done!Located here: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=44216

[09vGT]

AWESOME! I've GOT to do this!