Cubby hole light?

Jordo! · 06-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Just wondering, has anyone installed a light for the base model's cubby hole? Any thoughts on easiest way to do this?

DIGItonium · 06-10-2010, 12:01 PM

It can be done as a DIY. You'll need a small momentary normally closed switch. When the lid is closed, it'll push the switch in and turn off the LED. As for the LED, you should get a right mount LED to make it face towards the front of the car so it doesn't blind you at night when opening the cubby holder.

As for wiring the LED, your best bet is to find the DIM wire in the harness so the LED only lights up when you turn on the head lights. As for the resistor (for std 5mm LED 3.2V @ 20mA), use at least a 480 ohm resistor.

Jordo! · 06-10-2010, 10:07 PM

^^^ Awesome! Thanks! I'll see if I can get this assembled and will develop a write up when I get to it

pompey · 06-10-2010, 10:12 PM

when this is done post many pics, and explain how you done and what all you used please.

Jordo! · 06-10-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompey

when this is done post many pics, and explain how you done and what all you used please.

Will do -- I need to have a chat with a buddy of mine who does all sorts of custom dash installs (nav, radio, computers, etc) and see if he can apply DIGItonium's good advice.

I'll take pics, post write up... probably get to this within next few weeks.

DIGItonium · 06-11-2010, 12:28 PM

No problem at all! It should be a fun project. Here are some more ideas:

Example of a right angle mount LED:

If that doesn't work, you can get a secure LED mounting solution with a holder. It'll snap into the hole you drilled to hold the LED:

Here is an example of a momentary normally closed switch. Drill the hole for the shaft to get through, but you will also want to make sure the shaft is long enough so that closing the lid can trigger it closed. You might want to use an L bracket to adjust the depth of this switch. It's stealth and OEM looking.

If that doesn't work out and you want to be even more stealth, perhaps you can use a switch like the one below and mount it inside to be triggered when the lid slides back. It doesn't require drilling a hole and figuring out the depth of the shaft from the previous switch example, but it requires mounting the switch in such a way that it gets triggered when the lid fully slides back on the inside. Make sure you can find a normally closed one.

When selecting an LED, I recommend the diffused (milky white) type so you won't get the halo or spot light result. It'll be smooth and evenly diffused.

06-09-2010, 07:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Cubby hole light? Just wondering, has anyone installed a light for the base model's cubby hole? Any thoughts on easiest way to do this? __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

06-10-2010, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	It can be done as a DIY. You'll need a small momentary normally closed switch. When the lid is closed, it'll push the switch in and turn off the LED. As for the LED, you should get a right mount LED to make it face towards the front of the car so it doesn't blind you at night when opening the cubby holder. As for wiring the LED, your best bet is to find the DIM wire in the harness so the LED only lights up when you turn on the head lights. As for the resistor (for std 5mm LED 3.2V @ 20mA), use at least a 480 ohm resistor. __________________

06-10-2010, 10:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	^^^ Awesome! Thanks! I'll see if I can get this assembled and will develop a write up when I get to it __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

06-11-2010, 12:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	No problem at all! It should be a fun project. Here are some more ideas: Example of a right angle mount LED: If that doesn't work, you can get a secure LED mounting solution with a holder. It'll snap into the hole you drilled to hold the LED: Here is an example of a momentary normally closed switch. Drill the hole for the shaft to get through, but you will also want to make sure the shaft is long enough so that closing the lid can trigger it closed. You might want to use an L bracket to adjust the depth of this switch. It's stealth and OEM looking. If that doesn't work out and you want to be even more stealth, perhaps you can use a switch like the one below and mount it inside to be triggered when the lid slides back. It doesn't require drilling a hole and figuring out the depth of the shaft from the previous switch example, but it requires mounting the switch in such a way that it gets triggered when the lid fully slides back on the inside. Make sure you can find a normally closed one. When selecting an LED, I recommend the diffused (milky white) type so you won't get the halo or spot light result. It'll be smooth and evenly diffused. __________________ Last edited by DIGItonium; 06-11-2010 at 12:32 PM.

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06-10-2010, 10:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
pompey Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 139 Drives: 2010 370Z 40th anniv Rep Power: 0	when this is done post many pics, and explain how you done and what all you used please.