Red LED's in map lights
#1
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Location: Ca
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I have been itching to do some LED work on my car and the easiest place to start was the map reading lights. I took apart the panel up by the rear view mirror and took a look inside. I was surprised to see a few SMT LED's with lenses, I was expecting 10mm dome shaped LED's.
![](http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6060/img00607259524.jpg)
![](http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9616/img00657305067.jpg)
![](http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9837/img00677312479.jpg)
![](http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8338/img00687317491.jpg)
![](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4313/img00697322640.jpg)
![](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4405/img00707364234.jpg)
![](http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8051/img00717368112.jpg)
![](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7136/img00727371747.jpg)
![](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5827/img00737375435.jpg)
![](http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5259/img00747379352.jpg)
vanity lights FTW if I need more output...
I was dissatisfied with the results, the LED's are not bright enough. So, I ordered some high power half watt LED's and I'm waiting for those in the mail... should be a huge improvement. I'll post updates.
Function: Red LED's are less distracting and less visible from outside.![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Lexus used 4 pin SMT LED's that had two + and two - inputs. About 6v into the LED, then the two sets of power inputs were wired in series. I'm guessing they used dual chip LEDs, giving about 3V to each chip.
![](http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6060/img00607259524.jpg)
![](http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9616/img00657305067.jpg)
![](http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9837/img00677312479.jpg)
![](http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8338/img00687317491.jpg)
![](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4313/img00697322640.jpg)
![](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4405/img00707364234.jpg)
![](http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8051/img00717368112.jpg)
![](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7136/img00727371747.jpg)
![](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5827/img00737375435.jpg)
![](http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5259/img00747379352.jpg)
vanity lights FTW if I need more output...
I was dissatisfied with the results, the LED's are not bright enough. So, I ordered some high power half watt LED's and I'm waiting for those in the mail... should be a huge improvement. I'll post updates.
Function: Red LED's are less distracting and less visible from outside.
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Lexus used 4 pin SMT LED's that had two + and two - inputs. About 6v into the LED, then the two sets of power inputs were wired in series. I'm guessing they used dual chip LEDs, giving about 3V to each chip.
#3
executive matchup
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
props for being original and willing to do something different. not my cup of tea; like whlkev said, i like the stock colors too. but if red makes you happy, clap your hands
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#5
Lexus Test Driver
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nice write up illumin8n, I always wonder what kind of LEDs were in there. I am surprise they use SMTs in there as well. The idea of brighter LEDs for the dome light is a good one, I am not sure if I would pick red though, it kind of looks like a darkroom now. None the less, good job on the mod
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#6
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Very interesting mod!
I find it interesting that all the lights are LED-based (at least in the 08+) but the lights for the vanity mirrors are incandescent. Actually, "interesting" isn't the word I'm looking for. "Strange" is a more apt description.
I find it interesting that all the lights are LED-based (at least in the 08+) but the lights for the vanity mirrors are incandescent. Actually, "interesting" isn't the word I'm looking for. "Strange" is a more apt description.
#7
Driver School Candidate
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So I got a package in the mail today. 10mm half watt LED's. I took out the assembly again and the LED's fit perfectly in the stock lens bracket. I cut a piece of proto board, stuck red reflective tape on it, some magic , a few clicks and here we goo .... results are beyond expectations
![](http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2687/img0089p.jpg)
![](http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/256/img0090c.jpg)
![](http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8645/img0095g.jpg)
![](http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/273/img0096vka.jpg)
![](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5712/img0098dgq.jpg)
![](http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3281/img0099qbq.jpg)
![](http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2687/img0089p.jpg)
![](http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/256/img0090c.jpg)
![](http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8645/img0095g.jpg)
![](http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/273/img0096vka.jpg)
![](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5712/img0098dgq.jpg)
![](http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3281/img0099qbq.jpg)
![](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8506/img0100ali.jpg)
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