Dome Light LED Conversion

[03ExplorerSPT]

Awsome mod!!!!

 

[aldive]

Please explain how you mounted the boards to the console and the wire hook up.

Thanks......

 

[SilverSportTrac]

aldive, as for the wire hookup, I tapped into the wire that runs to the flexible copper mount that original lamp fixtures twisted onto.

And mounting the boards ... just some handy glue-gun work in each of the 4 corners.

 

[sunbum]

That looks sweet... but can you drive with them on if your significant other uses the map lights??
Great mod, great pics! Well done.

 

[punisher]

LED schematic

Using my physics knowledge, I think you can wire up the circuit either way:

I think the second way would be easier and more space saving (maybe even use a smaller bread board). Using V=IR and assuming each LED uses 20mA (times 8 LEDs), then:
12 volts/(20mA*8 LEDs)= 75 Ohm resistor

If you are using the 1st circuit diagram (more complicated one), then the equation would be:
12 volts/20mA= 600 Ohm resistor
EACH resistor would be 600 Ohms.

Correct me if I am wrong on any of the info. Hope this helps.

 

[aldive]

The graphic does not show.

 

[cc77]

Re: KILLER

Originally posted by Nicaraguense
I just replaced my steering wheel, cruise control bulbs with green LEDs...I just picked up some green accent ones at Auto Zone.

Hi Nicaraguense,

Could you please tell me what size LEDs you got? And also, did you have to do any modifications, or did they just go straight in? I'd like to do the same thing you've done but the only LEDs I've found were too big to fit in the switches. Thanks a bunch!

 

[SilverSportTrac]

Originally posted by sunbum
That looks sweet... but can you drive with them on if your significant other uses the map lights??
Great mod, great pics! Well done.

Since each board of lights is wired separately [to the corresponding wiring that was in place for the factory bulbs], the lights function/operate just the same as the factory bulbs.

In other words, they both light-up when a door is opened or when the dimmer switch is "maxed." Furthermore, while driving they can be turned-on individually to serve as a map light.

 

[TarHeel085]

does anyone know if there are orange LEDs?

 

[RFR2212]

My question is, why not just use one of the 4-led bulbs that are available all over ebay? Not the correct size? Not bright enough? Why go through the trouble of mounting them on boards and what not if there is just a plug in bulb available.

 

[SilverSportTrac]

RFR2212, I bought and used the 4-led bulbs that are available all over ebay. I put them in, then took them right back out - in my opinion, they're too dim and not worth a dime. I've since learned to stay away from the cheap low-quality plugs on eBay and other places.

The LEDs I used have an output rating of 5000mcd (which isn't even the brightest - just economical) each ... from my experience with the 4-led bulbs that are available on eBay, I doubt the total output from just one of them totals much more than the output of just one LED that I chose to go with.

In short, I went through the extra effort because I tried what was out there and was disappointed. The extra work was very worth it for me.

 

[punisher]

SilverSportTrac, how did you mount the breadboard?

 

[aldive]

SilverSportTrac, would you be willing to make a set of these for me? Of course I shall pay fory time and materials.

 

[sapogmxr]

Off Topic..What type of camera did you use to take those pictures. They look very crisp!

 

[Nate1]

Thats what I was gonna ask... those pictures are incredible. You must be a great photographer, or I am going to buy that camera for christmas. The white balance and contrast is phenominal!

 

[Nicaraguense]

My Cruise lights

I got my LED's at Auto Zone. They are about $10 for a pack of 3 (they are the accent light LED's) You will find them by the bulbs. Anyways, they do not go streight in they are a difficult fit. For one, the LED has a resistor on the positive side and yes on ALL LED's the hot and neg make a difference. Wire it in backwards and you won't hurt anything but it won't work either.
I pulled the bulb out and cut the wires to the point they kind of wrap around the switch. That is to say, the bulb was wired in on the side the old ones came out of and the wires wrapped around to the other side (through the hole where the plastic clip holds it together you will have to brake that off but it will still hold together and work just fine then the bulb of the LED it's self went through the back way (still shining towards the back of the switch like the factory bulb was.) On the left side (ON/OFF) the red wire of the LED gets soldered to the top side of the two places were the bulb connected and the neg. on bottom. THe other side, (RSM/SET ACCL/COAST) is just the opposite.
Good luck.

 

[SilverSportTrac]

Originally posted by punisher
how did you mount the breadboard?

With a good ol' glue gun. Put a good glob of glue in each of the 4 corners of the board, and it actually fits into the socket area quite nicely - it's a good solid fit. If the glue from the glue gun doesn't end-up holding too well in the summer, a stronger glue should work fine - I just didn't want to go with anything too permanent this first time trying this.

Aldive, I'm too busy at the moment to put together anymore of these, I wish I could - but we'll keep in touch.

Thanks again for the compliments on the photos. Photography is part of my job. For these shots I used a Canon EOS-10D - wonderful camera!

 

[sapogmxr]

For these shots I used a Canon EOS-10D - wonderful camera!

WOW!!! For a second i was thinking of picking one up, then i looked at the price $1600; that camera is not for amatures..(like me)

 

[Nate1]

Is that the Rebel digital? We had a film rebel but it got destryoed in Italy. That camera and mod looks fantastic. Two thumbs up!

 

[punisher]

anyone agree or disagree with the circuit diagram i posted a few messages ago? just wondering if the 2nd diagram would work as well as the 1st.