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So I love ambient lighting but don't want to buy a Mercedes or BMW to get it. My '22 ES300h UL came with pathetic dim ambient lighting. I am currently experimenting with some brighter color LED strips.
Here's a test I did. It taps into the existing power wire and dims when you put the car in gear. It's pretty darn bright, maybe too bright. The LED strip I used I had to cut and modify and you can see the dark and light spots along the full strip (no diffusion) so I have ordered different light strips that won't have that affect.
Let me know what you think.
I am aware there are aftermarket kits that replace the whole wood piece but I have the new open pore walnut trim and the aftermarket pieces either come in black or light bamboo wood look so they would look out of place and not match. But that's the sort of thing I'm trying to do, is get brighter illumination with color choices (I could settle also for just blue light).
I like the subtle lighting and considered this for my F Sport trim, I think a blue light or a white light would look good with the aluminum trim at night.
While that looks cool, I am a fan of the subtle lighting that does not change. I've been in an E-class with cool ambient lighting...but frankly it was too much for me. There's enough screens and buttons to press in that thing; I don't need to be fidgeting around with ambient lighting too...and I used to be a lightboard operator at a professional theatre when I was in undergrad. *shrug*
So I love ambient lighting but don't want to buy a Mercedes or BMW to get it. My '22 ES300h UL came with pathetic dim ambient lighting. I am currently experimenting with some brighter color LED strips.
Here's a test I did. It taps into the existing power wire and dims when you put the car in gear. It's pretty darn bright, maybe too bright. The LED strip I used I had to cut and modify and you can see the dark and light spots along the full strip (no diffusion) so I have ordered different light strips that won't have that affect.
Let me know what you think.
I am aware there are aftermarket kits that replace the whole wood piece but I have the new open pore walnut trim and the aftermarket pieces either come in black or light bamboo wood look so they would look out of place and not match. But that's the sort of thing I'm trying to do, is get brighter illumination with color choices (I could settle also for just blue light).
This is something I don't mind adding. Please, keep us updated on the final project. Even if I have options, I will probably only use blue.
While that looks cool, I am a fan of the subtle lighting that does not change. I've been in an E-class with cool ambient lighting...but frankly it was too much for me. There's enough screens and buttons to press in that thing; I don't need to be fidgeting around with ambient lighting too...and I used to be a lightboard operator at a professional theatre when I was in undergrad. *shrug*
Totally agree about MB. They have really gone for a tacky prom limo look with multi changing colors. And too much gimmicky stuff like going red or blue to show temp changes…I know I just raised or lowered it, I don’t need to air vents to light up. Just tacky stuff.
I’ve never had a car with ambient lighting like a Mercedes before but I do like LED lighting and gadgets so it’s something I want to try out. I’m sure it’s not for everyone and my intention is to at the very least be able to adjust the brightness so if I don’t like it I can turn it down low or off.
This does seem like a bit too much but I haven’t seen it in real life…
Totally agree about MB. They have really gone for a tacky prom limo look with multi changing colors. And too much gimmicky stuff like going red or blue to show temp changes…I know I just raised or lowered it, I don’t need to air vents to light up. Just tacky stuff.
Here is my temporary wiring connection. The 5-pin wire harness there only has two wires, power and ground. Power is on the end, ground is the middle wire. I'm actually using garage door opener wire as it's solid not stranded, and it plugs directly in. This is only a test, I have ordered actually plug-in connectors for the final wiring - these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004268004737.html (second photo from the right on the order page)
It looks awesome man. I will also end up doing this at some point. Could you link the LED and all the products you used for this? Also some progress pictures for the project will be great, so we could somewhat follow along.
It looks awesome man. I will also end up doing this at some point. Could you link the LED and all the products you used for this? Also some progress pictures for the project will be great, so we could somewhat follow along.
I don't really know for sure how well the new kit will fit and work but I figured I'd roll the dice since it's 1/4 the price of the full kit with plastic "wood" replacement pieces. Worst case is I rip it out and don't use it, or I just wind up using part of the kit.
Upper dash light strip cut to length and installed. Ran some wires down and installed RF footwell light. This is a lot more work than I thought, fishing wires around isn’t fun.
Upper dash light strip cut to length and installed. Ran some wires down and installed RF footwell light. This is a lot more work than I thought, fishing wires around isn’t fun.
That looks Great and while fishing wires might not be fun, I'd bet that it's worth it when you stand back and admire the results, especially when you drive at night!
I think that it looks Fantastic! Nice job and Thanks for sharing your idea!
07-02-22, 05:06 PM
Custom ambient light swap PROJECT
