Just Installed New Ambient Light LED

Zcup · 12-29-2014, 07:53 PM

I have a 2013 370Z touring and decided to try the DIY replacement of the little ambient light LED shown at http://www.the370z.com/519440-post30.

I replaced the factory orange LED with a super bright blue one. The new LED is much brighter, so you can actually see the illumination of the shifter area even along lighted streets (the old one basically did nothing unless you were on a very dark road). The blue illumination of the orange factory control panel lighting adds a very cool effect in my opinion, and makes the factory panel lighting really "pop." I purchased the LED from SuperbrightLEDs.com. It requires 3mm LED (I tried a 5mm for more light but it would not fit.) I also replaced the resistor value to 470 ohm.

The DIY went pretty much like explained above on the post by DIGItonium. Only difference is that his did not have a Bluetooth speaker, which made the process a bit more difficult as the speaker harness prevents you from pulling the black assembly down much from the headliner and leaving not much room to work, and I have to say getting the little LED circuit housing apart requires about three hands, but perserverance pays off.

See the Pic below. The illumination of the shifter and head area is from the blue ambient light LED. Please ignore the blue illumination in the footwells...well, you did not see that!

new lights.jpg

Read T · 12-29-2014, 08:50 PM

Interesting, glad you like it and sounds pretty simple.

Personally I like the dim lighting, and being orange/red the factory color does not mess with night vision.

If you get a black light in there - now we're talkin

Zcup · 12-29-2014, 08:56 PM

Actually, with the footlights turned off (which is almost all the time) the blue illumination on the console does not seem to affect my night vision , at least not that I can perceive...I put my finger over the light to see if I could tell a difference. I do understand the reason for the dimmer orange LED that the factory uses, but in this case I guess I went with form over function.

thechori · 01-14-2015, 12:47 AM

Sweeet

12-29-2014, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zcup Base Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Kansas City Posts: 39 Drives: 13 370Z Touring Rep Power: 10	Just Installed New Ambient Light LED I have a 2013 370Z touring and decided to try the DIY replacement of the little ambient light LED shown at http://www.the370z.com/519440-post30. I replaced the factory orange LED with a super bright blue one. The new LED is much brighter, so you can actually see the illumination of the shifter area even along lighted streets (the old one basically did nothing unless you were on a very dark road). The blue illumination of the orange factory control panel lighting adds a very cool effect in my opinion, and makes the factory panel lighting really "pop." I purchased the LED from SuperbrightLEDs.com. It requires 3mm LED (I tried a 5mm for more light but it would not fit.) I also replaced the resistor value to 470 ohm. The DIY went pretty much like explained above on the post by DIGItonium. Only difference is that his did not have a Bluetooth speaker, which made the process a bit more difficult as the speaker harness prevents you from pulling the black assembly down much from the headliner and leaving not much room to work, and I have to say getting the little LED circuit housing apart requires about three hands, but perserverance pays off. See the Pic below. The illumination of the shifter and head area is from the blue ambient light LED. Please ignore the blue illumination in the footwells...well, you did not see that! new lights.jpg

12-29-2014, 08:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 18	Interesting, glad you like it and sounds pretty simple. Personally I like the dim lighting, and being orange/red the factory color does not mess with night vision. If you get a black light in there - now we're talkin __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

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12-29-2014, 08:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zcup Base Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Kansas City Posts: 39 Drives: 13 370Z Touring Rep Power: 10	Actually, with the footlights turned off (which is almost all the time) the blue illumination on the console does not seem to affect my night vision , at least not that I can perceive...I put my finger over the light to see if I could tell a difference. I do understand the reason for the dimmer orange LED that the factory uses, but in this case I guess I went with form over function.

01-14-2015, 12:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
thechori Base Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 20 Drives: 2011 WRX Rep Power: 11	Sweeet