Marmite ambient lighting...

Starman · 26th June 2011, 23:29

Over the last few nights I've been skulking around outside playing with an LED in the car, as I knew what I wanted to do, but had to practice playing with the position before I committed to drilling holes.
I did promise SWMBO that I wouldn't go "playing outside" until I had finished the kitchen, but you know when you get that itch you just have to scratch!

So this is what I've gone and down now, and I understand that it won't appeal to all, if any, but it's what I wanted to try and it's worked for me

I bought 10 of these 5mm bright orange LED's from eBay for £3.95

Pre wired with built in resistors, the one on the right is how they come. The one on the left is after I buzzed the top off and frosted the side to create an even soft glow. A hobby drill made light work of that! Light work...haha...

Then it was off to the door cards...removed the window switch and drilled a 5mm hole under the switch and aimed slightly towards the door.

Pushed the LED into the hole which being 5mm is just the right size for a snug fit so no glues etc needed.

Although on the rears I had to use a thin screw driver to push the LED down as fingers are too big.

Next was to splice into the wires for the window switch pack illumination.

These are red/white...+12v and black...earth.

And hey presto... The new LED's will light when you turn the side lights on..

The next few shots I've taken this evenin with my iPhone, so they really don't do the job justice, and a couple I've tried to enhance a little with an in app, app!
You can't see the LED's, the hot spots in the photos are just the limitations of the camera.

The light emitted is dark orange and below line of sight while driving so it won't interfere with your eyes, and bleeds just enough light into the cabin esp. in the back where my girls travel.
It's a nice warm glow from behind the door handles and takes about 10 mins per door to complete, and the card doesn't need to come off!
Also I've placed the LED's out of the "grab" area so as not to be hit by hands.

To make sure I got the LED in the same place both sides I made a paper template

and flipped it over, then lined it up on the oposite door handle and pushed a bradle though the handle and then drilled from top down using the Bradle mark as a bullseye.

As I say it's not going to appeal to all, but it's an easy mod and makes the doors "pretty" as SWMBO called it before launching an RPG from her mouth that exploded in to obscenities and something about tiling...

Thanks for reading.
Kind regards. Steve and SWMBO.

Disclaimer:
You are responsible for any work or modifications carried out on your car and you undertake any such work at your own risk. The 75 and ZT Owners Club nor the original author of these How-To's can be held liable for anything that may happen as a result of you following these How-To's.
Any modifications should be reported to your insurance company.

Poppy · 26th June 2011, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starman

Over the last few nights I've been skulking around outside playing with an LED in the car, as I knew what I wanted to do, but had to practice playing with the position before I committed to drilling holes.
I did promise SWMBO that I wouldn't go "playing outside" until I had finished the kitchen, but you know when you get that itch you just have to scratch!

So this is what I've gone and down now, and I understand that it won't appeal to all, if any, but it's what I wanted to try and it's worked for me

As I say it's not going to appeal to all, but it's an easy mod and makes the doors "pretty" as SWMBO called it before launching an RPG from her mouth that exploded in to obscenities and something about tiling...

Thanks for reading.
Kind regards. Steve and SWMBO.

Hiya. Ain't got much of a clue as how to do it..... But wished i had.! Looks brilliant and totally unique...

Poppy

James.uk · 26th June 2011, 23:56

What Poppy said times two..

Looks great Steve.

...

Starman · 26th June 2011, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy

Hiya. Ain't got much of a clue as how to do it..... But wished i had.! Looks brilliant and totally unique...

Poppy

Thanks Poppy, that's kind of you to say so. If you want to try it let me know and I shall put some more detail in to the steps. It is very easy to do.
And I know you can do it if I can.

Regards. Steve.

Dragrad · 27th June 2011, 00:03

Well Steve and SWMBO,

That is worthy of a How To

If you have any additions to the OP please let me know and I will update the How To

Starman · 27th June 2011, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragrad

Well Steve and SWMBO,

That is worthy of a How To

If you have any additions to the OP please let me know and I will update the How To

Thanks for doing that Andrew

but I ain't telling SWMBO you called her names.

Regards. Steve.

Starman · 27th June 2011, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by James.uk

What Poppy said times two..

Looks great Steve.

...

Bless ya James.

Regards. Steve.

Dragrad · 27th June 2011, 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starman

Thanks for doing that Andrew

but I ain't telling SWMBO you called her names.

Regards. Steve.

Typo edited

craig8661 · 27th June 2011, 00:46

when i started reading this thread i thought oh no but looking at the project i quite like that. its handy for passingers if they should have anything in the recess of the door and saves them turning on the interia light

Dolfanyan · 27th June 2011, 11:17

A nice subtle mod well done Steve

26th June 2011, 23:29	#1
Starman Posted a thing or two 03 CDTi Tourer Conn SE auto Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Shrewsbury Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts	Marmite ambient lighting... Over the last few nights I've been skulking around outside playing with an LED in the car, as I knew what I wanted to do, but had to practice playing with the position before I committed to drilling holes. I did promise SWMBO that I wouldn't go "playing outside" until I had finished the kitchen, but you know when you get that itch you just have to scratch! So this is what I've gone and down now, and I understand that it won't appeal to all, if any, but it's what I wanted to try and it's worked for me I bought 10 of these 5mm bright orange LED's from eBay for £3.95 Pre wired with built in resistors, the one on the right is how they come. The one on the left is after I buzzed the top off and frosted the side to create an even soft glow. A hobby drill made light work of that! Light work...haha... Then it was off to the door cards...removed the window switch and drilled a 5mm hole under the switch and aimed slightly towards the door. Pushed the LED into the hole which being 5mm is just the right size for a snug fit so no glues etc needed. Although on the rears I had to use a thin screw driver to push the LED down as fingers are too big. Next was to splice into the wires for the window switch pack illumination. These are red/white...+12v and black...earth. And hey presto... The new LED's will light when you turn the side lights on.. The next few shots I've taken this evenin with my iPhone, so they really don't do the job justice, and a couple I've tried to enhance a little with an in app, app! You can't see the LED's, the hot spots in the photos are just the limitations of the camera. The light emitted is dark orange and below line of sight while driving so it won't interfere with your eyes, and bleeds just enough light into the cabin esp. in the back where my girls travel. It's a nice warm glow from behind the door handles and takes about 10 mins per door to complete, and the card doesn't need to come off! Also I've placed the LED's out of the "grab" area so as not to be hit by hands. To make sure I got the LED in the same place both sides I made a paper template and flipped it over, then lined it up on the oposite door handle and pushed a bradle though the handle and then drilled from top down using the Bradle mark as a bullseye. As I say it's not going to appeal to all, but it's an easy mod and makes the doors "pretty" as SWMBO called it before launching an RPG from her mouth that exploded in to obscenities and something about tiling... Thanks for reading. Kind regards. Steve and SWMBO. Disclaimer: You are responsible for any work or modifications carried out on your car and you undertake any such work at your own risk. The 75 and ZT Owners Club nor the original author of these How-To's can be held liable for anything that may happen as a result of you following these How-To's. Any modifications should be reported to your insurance company. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Last edited by Starman; 27th June 2011 at 17:37.. Reason: Disclaimer added

27th June 2011, 00:03	#5
Dragrad This is my second home *None DROWNED** Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cardigan Posts: 33,339 Thanks: 1,257 Thanked 1,664 Times in 1,081 Posts	Well Steve and SWMBO, That is worthy of a How To If you have any additions to the OP please let me know and I will update the How To __________________ Andrew Ich Dien Problem solving is... lateral thinking SEARCH FIRST ...ASK LATER... Last edited by Dragrad; 27th June 2011 at 00:15.. Reason: typo

27th June 2011, 00:46	#9
craig8661 Posted a thing or two rover 75 tourer cdt Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 1,924 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	when i started reading this thread i thought oh no but looking at the project i quite like that. its handy for passingers if they should have anything in the recess of the door and saves them turning on the interia light __________________ http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...y%20se/sig.jpg spoilt as i own a cdt auto connoisseur se cdt auto member 829 mods so far synergy 2 heated washer jets cant really add anything else as it has it all lol

27th June 2011, 11:17	#10
Dolfanyan Regular poster MG ZT CDTI+ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mk Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A nice subtle mod well done Steve __________________ http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...T037-1-1-1.jpg http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...g_avatar01.gif

26th June 2011, 23:56	#3
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	What Poppy said times two.. Looks great Steve. ...