DIY: Interior LED Color Change

HaHaNdN

Digi, I think that is some sick *** stuff you pulled off, wow. I'm seriously amazed, I can do mechanical, but electrical other than simple switch out is beyond me. Props!!!

DIGItonium

Haha thanks! We should work together since I'm not so great with the mechanical stuff. My drilling and cutting is sloppy, but I can run wires, build up circuits, and solder stuff easily.

For example, my headlight mods need repair and taking the headlights apart is a bit daunting. I can take other things apart... just not the headlights lol.

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NickShoelace

I need to find a local custom shop that'll do all of this for me because God knows I couldn't pull this off on my own! I want it though!

Smartace3

I was planning on using a 3-Up Cree Star LED with a Bucktoot to make some dome lights but I wasn't sure how it would work out with the auto dimming feature. How has it been working out for you??

DIGItonium

You need to use current limiting resistors because the BuckToot tries to regulate until it decides to shut off completely. I also recommend a single LED for each map light because it will be wicked bright. I've blinded my passengers with just the K2 LEDs, and that's old technology by today's standards.

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Elan

I use JW's license plate bulbs deal for mine. I prefer it a little brighter than what I had before (and quality is MUCH better). Now when I turn on my domes, let there be light!

He is a vendor here and sells two for $15 and free shipping with a 30 day warranty. That's important because I had two bulbs from superbrighleds that just did not work at all even when changing polarity. The ones that did flickered like a mother.

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2009 370Z NISMO #477 | AAM Competition Short Tails | AAM Competition HFCs | K&N Typhoon CAI | Kenwood DPX300U | Rockford Fosgate PRIME R300-4 | Rockford Fosgate Punch P165 | Rockford Fosgate Punch P300-12 | Polk Audio db1001 | 15% Tints | GTR Start Button |

Smartace3

Im gonna take your advice, so I found a 1 up star led to use. Here are the specs for it,
1-Up Cool-White Cree XT-E Star LED Features:
130 lm @ 350mA
231 lm @ 700mA
1500mA - Max Drive Current
2.85Vf - Typ. Forward Voltage @ 350mA
6500K - Color Temperature
My question now is where can I find current limiting resistors? I searched all over and found metal film, carbon film, wire wound ect.. Are they the same??
Would something like this work? RW67V330B12 Vishay / Dale | Mouser
Thanks in advance.

DIGItonium

Current limiting resistors is just that - resistors. I recommend running the LED no greater than 200mA. Make sure you have a decent heat sink or something with decent surface area to dissipate some heat. If you leave it on long enough it will get pretty warm.

To get resistor value for the LED use Ohm's Law:
R = Volts / Current. Here you need to factor in the maximum supply voltage and voltage drop of the LED, and the current flow (350mA in this example).

R = (14.4 - 2.85) / 0.350 = 33 ohm. This is the minimum resistor value to use. Next you need to calculate the resistor wattage because it will generate heat as it limits the current flowing through the LED:
P = Current * Resistance = 0.350 * 33 = 11.5 Watts.

As you can see here, the resistor will dissipate almost 12W. It is very inefficient.

Quite honestly I rather run the BuckToot driver at 350mA and sacrifice the dimming feature. If you want to play it safe the most feasible starting point is with a single 100 ohm 1W resistor. That will run the LED around 100mA. It doesn't sound like much, but you won't melt things and retain dimming feature.

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Smashley

Plz add a write up

Smartace3

What do you mean by sacrificing the dimming feature? Does the dimming feature not work with the BuckToot driver?? I don't really care much for the dimming feature. Do you or anyone here know how to disable the dimming feature so that I can straight up just use something like the BuckToot driver or a resistor to run the led without worrying about the voltage differences caused by the Fade-off feature??

DIGItonium

Dimming feature pretty much gradually drops the voltage. The BuckToot operates in a wide range of voltages, so it will do it's best as a regulator to maintain a consistent output until voltage drops too low and shut off. So it is not an issue if you don't care about losing the gradual dimming.

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Smartace3

Nice! Thanks DIGI. Now i can place my order and do my led swap!!

JayZ1

Wow y'all are buggin out with the lights!
Holy crap...nice job though!

Like_a_boss

THIS IS AWESOME! I have hated the annoying orange interior lights since I bought my Z. Great write up, Does anyone know of anyone that does this service or any good shops in Colorado that might be able to do this mod for me?

Indiana102

Thanks for posting this DIY. I started working on changing everything out and thought I'd post a picture of the start switch done. Blue and green FTW!

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