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My DIY ambience lighting

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by tacomawhite, Jan 21, 2014.

  1. Jan 21, 2014 at 10:27 AM
    #1
    tacomawhite

    tacomawhite [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Been looking around at adding some ambience lighting in the cab to help illuminate the cup holder / console area. My Pilot has this from factory and I like it so...

    So I found some pre-wired, thin strip LED's that stick right under the radio/clock console and ran it into the crack above the temp controls. I wired them to the 12v ignition that's wired to the radio for now. It's a bit bright so looking to add a dimmer. Any suggestions would help.

    Here are the LED's: http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-wired-bolts/little-dot-smd-led-accent-light/639/

    Here's a couple of pics:

    20140120_211057_Richtone(HDR).jpg

    20140120_210935.jpg
     
  2. Jan 21, 2014 at 3:00 PM
    #2
    yellowrubiu

    yellowrubiu Well-Known Member

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    You may want to try wiring them up to the dash light source on the black plug behind the temperature controls. This will allow you dim them using the dimmer for the dash lights.

    Here is a link to a pic from another thread showing the details...
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Jan 22, 2014 at 12:59 PM
    #3
    tacomawhite

    tacomawhite [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Excellent, thanks!
     
  4. Jan 23, 2014 at 5:36 AM
    #4
    Gene563

    Gene563 Well-Known Member

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    Nice idea, I like that ... although a bit bright. Please post how the dimmer controls work out.
    My wife's Highlander has a recessed, hidden LED that shines on the console. I had been wondering how to do something like that.
     
  5. Jan 24, 2014 at 8:40 AM
    #5
    Oregon TRD

    Oregon TRD "GO DUCKS" Edition

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  6. Jan 27, 2014 at 8:14 AM
    #6
    tacomawhite

    tacomawhite [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I tried running the positive to the green/white wire yesterday and I don't think that's the correct wire for my 07. I tried looking for the hot with my voltmeter but maybe I'm doing something wrong. Didn't have much time so gonna mess with it some more this week.

    Thanks RAPR. You've got some cool stuff there.
     
  7. Jan 28, 2014 at 3:24 PM
    #7
    Gene563

    Gene563 Well-Known Member

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    According to Yellowrubiu's post, the "green/white" is the variable ground. The solid green is the hot (12v) lead.
    I checked your link and ordered a couple of the Cool White, spot LEDs in the link. You mentioned strips, but the link shows the single spots. What did you actually use and what color ... they look blue. I'm going to try one or 2 of the spot LEDs, hopefully to created a slight glow in the dark. I don't want it to be distracting at night.
     
  8. Jan 30, 2014 at 2:30 PM
    #8
    tacomawhite

    tacomawhite [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I used the little dot SMD light. It has a wide angle. I've been too busy to mess with it this week, but I'll update when I do.
     

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