SOLVED Ambient Footwell Lighting with Fade In/Fade Out

After about two years, I finally got around to tinkering and successfully completing this project I asked about in this thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-footwell-lights-with-dashlights-fade-in-fade-out.560140/

Using the help provided by /u/caribe-makaira.51121/ (I'm used to reddit so I'm not quite sure if this will actually tag this user) I was able to wire everything up and get my desired fade in/fade out effect. Below are videos of how the lights look in the front and back seats.


Front Seats


Rear Seats


Backstory/Project Goal:
The goal of the project was to wire up ambient lighting in the footwells that would illuminate with the dash lights--so that it would be constantly on while driving at night. The kicker was trying to figure out how to get them to fade in/fade out when you turn the dash lights on/off. My parents had an old GL450 with ambient footwell lighting that would fade in and out and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. So this project was an attempt to emulate that feature as I personally feel it adds an air of luxury and it would definitely be something a little unique.

As you can see, I think I would call this project a success although it was a PITA trying to figure everything out. This was also my first time ever wiring anything, letalone LEDs in a vehicle.


Some learning points:
1. It may be hard to see in the video, but the LEDs dont quite fade fluently--they turn on very dimly and immediately, and then gradually fade in and reverse when fading out. I figured it might do something light that since LEDs dont fade particularly well in most case but I am extremely happy even with this result.

2. Trying to figure out how to mount the lights so that the module wasn't visible was especially a PITA. The lights I went with were small 0.5in x 3.5in (roughly) mountable units NOT strip lighting like most people use. So lots of zip ties, double stick tape, simpson strong-tie angle brackets later and I was finally able to hide them correctly while ensuring that the light direction wasn't obscured.

3. As you might be able to tell, the lights are quite bright. They're not obscenely bright where someone driving next to me would be able to see it, but still brighter than I personally care fore. I'll be attempting to add a dimmer switch or resistor to see if I can dim the lights down some without blowing a fuse or ruining the fading feature.


LASTLY, at some point during the future, I'd like to do a how-to guide. But more than that (and since I'm a jobless college graduate thanks to COVID), I'd like to put together and start selling kits. More than likely, I'd like to try crowdfunding it first to see if there's enough interest to bring down the cost of some items (by buying in bulk). If there's anyone out there who enjoys this slightly unique mod and would be interested, please let me know!

 

I got you boo, @caribe makaira

-J