Help: Footwell lights with dashlights (fade in/fade out)

Hey guys,

I'm new here. I've done quite a lot of searching around on this subject, but so far I've found no clear answers. I thought it best to pose the question in a new thread and see what kind of answers I can find.

Truck Type: 2014 Dbl Cab TRD sport MT
What I want to do: Add footwell lights in both wells and under both front seats to illuminate the floor in the back seat. I'd like these lights to fade in when I turn the running lights/dash lights on, and subsequently fade out when i turn them off. These lights will dimly illuminate the floor and stay on while driving.
The problem: I am fairly unsure how to accomplish this task. Is there an easier way?

I understand that tapping into any of the dashlights that illuminate will solve the lighting issue and will simply turn on and turn off instantly. However, to make them fade in and out, the best and easiest solution I've found thus far is wiring an Oznium LED dimmer in series before the LEDs (which to my understanding should be wired in parallel).

The fading effect I'd like to achieve is demonstrated in their product video. However, I'd like instead to have the trigger switch to be the initial column switch to turn on the dash/running lights and continue to stay on if i've turned it all the way to turn on the headlights.



However, to my understanding, this looks like it needs a constantly hot 12V source or else it will trigger a brief flash before fading on as demonstrated in this video.



So i've concluded on the following possible solutions:

Possible Solution 1: Wire the fader into its own fuse so that it has a constant hot source. Then, open the steering column and find the wires that trigger the dash lights. Wire that in to the trigger wire on the fader and pray for the best.

Possible Solution 2: Forget the ease of having the lights illuminate with the dash lights. Instead, purchase a CH4x4 illuminate foglight switch and install into an empy slot. Wire the fader into its own fuse so that it has a constant hot source and use the CH4x4 as a trigger switch. Deal with having an extra step. Pray for the best.

and of course, life would not be complete without one insane idea.

Insane Idea: Which ever idea i end up utilizing, wire in a second voltage source from the dome lights to the LED to achieve the additional effects of having them come on with the domelight. Therefore, I hope to have them fade in and fade out with my dashlights and illuminate when driving and also illuminate when opening the doors, unlocking the truck, etc. I'd also like to tap in some bright white LEDs to the dome and mount them under my running boards as puddle lights. Is this at all achievable?

I am no electrician, or electrical engineer, just some crazy truck owner with even crazier lighting ideas. I realize that these ideas come with pains and sticking points but I hope anyone with some experience can help me find a better solution to these problems.

Is there a good and safe way to do this?
Is there an easier way to do this?
Is this even possible?

I'd like to prioritize the fading effect and keep them on while driving. Worst case scenario I'll just deal with the instant on.

Thank you, all, for your generous attention and reading through my questions and concerns. It cannot be overstated how much I appreciate all of your guys' help. I look forward to hearing some thoughts!

Aloha,
Kapena

 

That sounds sick man, I'd love this.
Sub'd

 

The dash lights as in TAIL, so add an add-a-fuse to that fuse and you got you "trigger"
Add another add-a-fuse to the Door Lock Fuse- That will be the constant ON.

 

Good info! I will definitely give this a try out.

I've also been researching around for some info on lighting an LED with two voltage sources to see if i could hook the same LEDs to the domelight as well for the added effect of being activated with the domelights ie when opening the door or unlocking the truck. My first concern was how the LED would react if say the truck was on and the footwell lights were already active with the headlights on. Currently my research has led me to a video explaining how to use diodes, resistors, LEDs and two voltage sources.

This video here depicts using this set up to control brake lighting on a motorcycle. The resistor is strategically used to dim the LED using a resistor through one voltage source. When the other voltage source is triggered (through braking) another current is sent through the other wire, the LED appears to brighten. To my very basic understanding, the diodes prevent the currents from the different voltage sources from getting mixed up.



In theory I would be able to do the same with the footwell lights. I would add a resistor and diode to the positive end before each LED and wire another positive with diode into the dome lights. This would give me the effect of having a dim light while driving and have the lights fade up if the doors are open (for a little extra visibility). The negatives would also in theory be run back to the fader module and then from fade module to ground. Anyone know if this could be a possibility?