Steering wheel audio controls illumination?

[VVC-Geeza]

A question to the electrical gurus?

Would it be possible to locate small LED's in the audio controls on the steering wheel? I believe that light will pass through the casing,it's whether getting a power supply in there is feasible?

[rover54]

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

A question to the electrical gurus?

Would it be possible to locate small LED's in the audio controls on the steering wheel? I believe that light will pass through the casing,it's whether getting a power supply in there is feasible?

Getting another 12v power supply from the steering column to the wheel is the main problem. There must be a 12v feed to the audio switches, so I would think that tapping into that feed and earthing it throught a couple of LED's would do. Regarding lighting the switches, rather than trying to modify the switches, I have considered mounting a couple of low light LED's in the steering wheel just above the switches so they illuminate the switch face. LED's set flush in the wheel so they won't distract . Earth via the steering column.

[dissy1810]

Providing the car does not have cruise control you could use the extra wiring from a cruise model for the LEDs I was thinking about doing this myself but couldn't get light to shine through the controls

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by rover54

Regarding lighting the switches, rather than trying to modify the switches, I have considered mounting a couple of low light LED's in the steering wheel just above the switches so they illuminate the switch face. LED's set flush in the wheel so they won't distract . Earth via the steering column.

Yes surface mounting is an option too,I remember Nick at Austin Garages showing me the audio contol switches off the car,and they were hollow.So I think LED's would fit in there quite nicely if they could be powered

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by dissy1810

I was thinking about doing this myself but couldn't get light to shine through the controls

That's strange,as I remember when Nick (Austin Garages) and I discussed
it, he shone a torch into the switches and you could clearly see the white symbols on the casing.

[rover54]

Aren't the white decals just printed on. Perhaps a very bright LED will penetrate the black plastic.

[Anthony & Maricel]

Yes it can be done, I just took my spare apart when you shine a light into it; it lights up so fitting some 12V amber LED's in there should be no problem.

[Anthony & Maricel]

Originally Posted by rover54

Aren't the white decals just printed on. Perhaps a very bright LED will penetrate the black plastic.

It is white plastic sprayed with black paint you need to release the mode button first, then you can release the volume and select up down button

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by ukmoobs

Yes it can be done, I just took my spare apart when you shine a light into it; it lights up so fitting some 12V amber LED's in there should be no problem.

Let's hope one or more of our very clever techi's picks up the challenge and makes it happen

[trikey]

Originally Posted by ukmoobs

It is white plastic sprayed with black paint you need to release the mode button first, then you can release the volume and select up down button

Im sure the early ones were moulded black over white (twin shot) so would be visible when lit...