LED Dome/Map/Licence/Trunk Light Conversion [Picture heavy]
02-07-2011, 04:39 PM
#41
Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 260
Some outdoor night pictures.
Door light.
Interior.
Helps you see that 1 foot of snow on the ground in case you missed it.
Trunk light with my tools.
Whole car shot.
I get complimented on these every day. I'd love to hear what you guys think and if you'd be interested in a group deal type thing.
Door light.
Interior.
Helps you see that 1 foot of snow on the ground in case you missed it.
Trunk light with my tools.
Whole car shot.
I get complimented on these every day. I'd love to hear what you guys think and if you'd be interested in a group deal type thing.
Just kidding, it looks awesome
02-07-2011, 05:59 PM
#42
The Autozone interior LEDs are a joke compared to the ones you can order from Hong Kong.
I had one of the 15-LED panels from Autzone in my 4AT's dome light. That thing barely lit up the interior. Now I have a normal 30mm 4-panel LED in there that I got off of eBay for $3, and it's just as bright as the 15-LED panel.
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
I had one of the 15-LED panels from Autzone in my 4AT's dome light. That thing barely lit up the interior. Now I have a normal 30mm 4-panel LED in there that I got off of eBay for $3, and it's just as bright as the 15-LED panel.
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
02-07-2011, 06:01 PM
#43
Its a good product cause the lights on it are pretty big.
I ordered these on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Super cheap and work awesome! Came with a nice assortment of adapters, including the bayonet ones that are such a PITA to find. Enjoy!
Tyutyunnik: Would these be better for the License:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-19...Q5fAccessories
Since they are at a right angle to the sicket and the plate is at a right angle to light??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Super cheap and work awesome! Came with a nice assortment of adapters, including the bayonet ones that are such a PITA to find. Enjoy!
Tyutyunnik: Would these be better for the License:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-19...Q5fAccessories
Since they are at a right angle to the sicket and the plate is at a right angle to light??
The first link with the 12 lights are 1210 smds which are much smaller than the ones on these bulbs (which use 5050 smds) but it does seem like it would do the job, and its super cheap you're right.
And the licence plate bulb directs the light downwards on to the plate, so the bulb socket on the max is pointed downwards, since that one is angled sideways it wouldn't provide the greatest coverage. The ones I have are essentially the same but they are pointed forward which is ideal for the maxima. Remember these LEDs have an almost 180 degree viewing angle which eliminates the problem of having to point them in a certain direction.
02-08-2011, 05:53 AM
#47
02-08-2011, 09:28 AM
#52
02-08-2011, 03:28 PM
#54
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 22
And the licence plate bulb directs the light downwards on to the plate, so the bulb socket on the max is pointed downwards, since that one is angled sideways it wouldn't provide the greatest coverage. The ones I have are essentially the same but they are pointed forward which is ideal for the maxima. Remember these LEDs have an almost 180 degree viewing angle which eliminates the problem of having to point them in a certain direction.
What suggestions do you have for the Side Marker LEDs ?
02-08-2011, 03:36 PM
#55
You're gonna want to get the straight ones because they direct the light onto the plates.
For the sidemarkers, I've always just found it counter intuitive to get LEDs because the sidemarker itself is colored so you lose most of the appeal. I would use the same bulb that I used for the licence plate though. I think it would look nice if you had a clear sidemarker and did the blinker mod to come on with the turn signal.
For the sidemarkers, I've always just found it counter intuitive to get LEDs because the sidemarker itself is colored so you lose most of the appeal. I would use the same bulb that I used for the licence plate though. I think it would look nice if you had a clear sidemarker and did the blinker mod to come on with the turn signal.
02-10-2011, 09:06 AM
#58
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
FYI the dome light and rest of the door activated lighting is ground triggered on my 2001.
The Map light is fed constant 12V and circuit is completed by push button.
You could leave the button depressed and run a ground trigger from one of the dome/door lights, this would cause the Map light to turn on with the dome light, but you would NOT be able to use the map light normally.
OR as LuvLexus already thought out:
Not quite the same as what you guys are thinking however what you guys want to do I think could be done with a relay converting the negative door trigger to power the map light +. Get a micro relay since its not pulling a lot of power and it could probably all fit within the pillar!
Brett I've done the 'dome map light' mod inspired by member dj kevinnn, what I did in my situation was add an led board to each map light while keeping the stock map light bulbs and tied those two boards into the dome light circuit (both + and -) So when the dome light comes on so do the boards in the map lights and the regular map light still functions as always.
^You don't need to supply 12V from the entry circuit though, you would only need to feed it Negative, you can use the 12V + supply that's already there.
Overall it seems more complicated then originally thought.
I also want to install some underhood lighting
, One thing at a time though...
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 02-10-2011 at 09:15 AM.
02-10-2011, 08:05 PM
#60
The link to ebay that spideymom left seems to be decent looking boards and super cheap.. down side is the wait as was stated. Description says they are 3.2 x 2 inches. Im not sure if they would fit the 97 map and dome light. I'll take some measurements and see, this looks like a sweet deal compared to other prices out there for these led boards.
03-09-2011, 11:34 PM
#62
The lights that I have for dome and maps are simply plug and play, they come with adapters for every kind of plug so theres no soldering of modifications required. Just a simple swap.
03-10-2011, 12:08 AM
#63
The T5s for the cluster lights are available for dirt cheap on ebay LINK, I usually don't deal with them because if they're switched then the cluster wouldn't match the radio and center console lights and I don't feel like converting the whole car just yet.
The lights that I have for dome and maps are simply plug and play, they come with adapters for every kind of plug so theres no soldering of modifications required. Just a simple swap.
The lights that I have for dome and maps are simply plug and play, they come with adapters for every kind of plug so theres no soldering of modifications required. Just a simple swap.
03-10-2011, 12:34 AM
#64
I can get them but I'd have to order about 1000 of them and the problem is there aren't too many people that want them unfortunately.
I'd highly recommend getting them off ebay instead, heres another link on where they're listed for about 25 cents each shipped. They're the wedge lens type that you need for the cluster because they provide a more uniform light which reduces hotspots on the gauges. You only need about 5 for the actual backlighting for the gauges, the rest of the sockets are for the red and yellow warning lights.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/10-x-Blue-LED-T5-...#ht_3089wt_907
I'd highly recommend getting them off ebay instead, heres another link on where they're listed for about 25 cents each shipped. They're the wedge lens type that you need for the cluster because they provide a more uniform light which reduces hotspots on the gauges. You only need about 5 for the actual backlighting for the gauges, the rest of the sockets are for the red and yellow warning lights.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/10-x-Blue-LED-T5-...#ht_3089wt_907
03-10-2011, 04:03 AM
#65
Pony up a couple more dollars and get a better quality T5 wedge type. I just insalled some junk ebay ones and one of them blew a fuse, another fried a portion of the circuit board. Not to mention the light output sucks, and 90% of the LED's didn't fit tight enough, or were misalligned in the plastic housing.
I ordered 20 just to be safe, and ended up with less than half that were any good.
I ordered 20 just to be safe, and ended up with less than half that were any good.
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 03-10-2011 at 05:56 AM.
03-10-2011, 05:55 AM
#66
If I were to purchase them again I'd buy something like this:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...Fwled-whp6.htm
There are different types to choose from but that's the way I'd go.
Here a pic of the Ebay T5 single LED's:
As you can see, they are dim. And garbage build quality. The pictures acutally make them look nicer than they are in person. They're hotspotted too (despite being 'wide angle' LED's).
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...Fwled-whp6.htm
There are different types to choose from but that's the way I'd go.
Here a pic of the Ebay T5 single LED's:
As you can see, they are dim. And garbage build quality. The pictures acutally make them look nicer than they are in person. They're hotspotted too (despite being 'wide angle' LED's).
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 03-10-2011 at 05:57 AM.
03-10-2011, 07:35 AM
#67
Pony up a couple more dollars and get a better quality T5 wedge type. I just insalled some junk ebay ones and one of them blew a fuse, another fried a portion of the circuit board. Not to mention the light output sucks, and 90% of the LED's didn't fit tight enough, or were misalligned in the plastic housing.
I ordered 20 just to be safe, and ended up with less than half that were any good.
I ordered 20 just to be safe, and ended up with less than half that were any good.
I do remember that those were the type that people used for the cluster, I'm just not sure where they got them from to ensure the quality was good.
03-10-2011, 08:10 AM
#68
You can get that single LED type from a few places, but if you're not paying $1.30+ per LED, then they're probably garbage. Heres a link for some that look half decent, single LEDs:
http://www.ledlight.com/t5-wedge-flat-led-light.aspx
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/t5+wedge+led.html
I'd still go with the SuperBrightLED multiple LED type, SMD or something like that. One LED is just not enough, and will always hotspot. I have to add a bunch more now, if I would have just bought the ones I linked in Post #66, I would only have to install one LED under each needle and I'd be done.
http://www.ledlight.com/t5-wedge-flat-led-light.aspx
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/t5+wedge+led.html
I'd still go with the SuperBrightLED multiple LED type, SMD or something like that. One LED is just not enough, and will always hotspot. I have to add a bunch more now, if I would have just bought the ones I linked in Post #66, I would only have to install one LED under each needle and I'd be done.
03-10-2011, 11:09 AM
#69
You can get that single LED type from a few places, but if you're not paying $1.30+ per LED, then they're probably garbage. Heres a link for some that look half decent, single LEDs:
http://www.ledlight.com/t5-wedge-flat-led-light.aspx
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/t5+wedge+led.html
I'd still go with the SuperBrightLED multiple LED type, SMD or something like that. One LED is just not enough, and will always hotspot. I have to add a bunch more now, if I would have just bought the ones I linked in Post #66, I would only have to install one LED under each needle and I'd be done.
http://www.ledlight.com/t5-wedge-flat-led-light.aspx
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/t5+wedge+led.html
I'd still go with the SuperBrightLED multiple LED type, SMD or something like that. One LED is just not enough, and will always hotspot. I have to add a bunch more now, if I would have just bought the ones I linked in Post #66, I would only have to install one LED under each needle and I'd be done.
03-10-2011, 11:22 AM
#70
Which ones did you get? Some hotspotting is inevitable unless you add a bunch of leds in locations other than the stock locations.
03-10-2011, 12:24 PM
#72
^ Thats impressive, might blind you inside your car though. :P
I have one of those flashlights from costco too and its amazing how much light comes out of one of those things. The biggest problem I'm having now is the heat, the brighter they are then the hotter they'll get obviously. Some of the high powered LEDs seem to be suffering from that which is why im getting a new type of bulb for the licence plates soon.
As to the issue with the gauge cluster, SuperBrightLEDs has some twist locks with built in LEDs here http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...nstrument.html
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
I have one of those flashlights from costco too and its amazing how much light comes out of one of those things. The biggest problem I'm having now is the heat, the brighter they are then the hotter they'll get obviously. Some of the high powered LEDs seem to be suffering from that which is why im getting a new type of bulb for the licence plates soon.
As to the issue with the gauge cluster, SuperBrightLEDs has some twist locks with built in LEDs here http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...nstrument.html
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
03-10-2011, 01:02 PM
#74
Hadn't planned on using it in my car.
That's just 180 lumens, there is a light out there called the Betty Lupine II that puts out 1850 lumens, about 50% more than is legal for car headlights! That light is pretty much instant daylight!
My bike helmet one is vented and if I am stopped for more than a minute or so, output is automatically dimmed about 20% to prevent overheating.
That's just 180 lumens, there is a light out there called the Betty Lupine II that puts out 1850 lumens, about 50% more than is legal for car headlights! That light is pretty much instant daylight!
The biggest problem I'm having now is the heat, the brighter they are then the hotter they'll get obviously.
03-10-2011, 03:17 PM
#75
As to the issue with the gauge cluster, SuperBrightLEDs has some twist locks with built in LEDs here http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...nstrument.html
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
03-10-2011, 04:02 PM
#76
As to the issue with the gauge cluster, SuperBrightLEDs has some twist locks with built in LEDs here http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...nstrument.html
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
I would still be concerned about the light output and the hotspotting though, and they are a little pricey.
Price isn't bad though IMO. Shipping is where they might ding you, but I dunno never dealt with them.
If you're talking about the light over the ashtray, yes, it's a T5.
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 03-10-2011 at 04:05 PM.
03-14-2011, 07:41 PM
#77
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
FYI the dome light and rest of the door activated lighting is ground triggered on my 2001.
The Map light is fed constant 12V and circuit is completed by push button.
You could leave the button depressed and run a ground trigger from one of the dome/door lights, this would cause the Map light to turn on with the dome light, but you would NOT be able to use the map light normally.
OR as LuvLexus already thought out:
Not quite the same as what you guys are thinking however what you guys want to do I think could be done with a relay converting the negative door trigger to power the map light +. Get a micro relay since its not pulling a lot of power and it could probably all fit within the pillar!
Brett I've done the 'dome map light' mod inspired by member dj kevinnn, what I did in my situation was add an led board to each map light while keeping the stock map light bulbs and tied those two boards into the dome light circuit (both + and -) So when the dome light comes on so do the boards in the map lights and the regular map light still functions as always.
^You don't need to supply 12V from the entry circuit though, you would only need to feed it Negative, you can use the 12V + supply that's already there.
Overall it seems more complicated then originally thought.
I also want to install some underhood lighting
, One thing at a time though...http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ome-turns.html
10-22-2012, 07:45 PM
#80
I've recently done the LED conversion on my interior. superbrightleds.com has everything you need. I did run into one problem where they sent the wrong connector for a 5x6 grid. But they were quick to fix it. So far I haven't had a problem with any of them. I'll try to get some pictures posted later tonight as well as the bulbs I ordered.
Last edited by rebelhell; 10-22-2012 at 08:14 PM.