LED question

[X2Xtreme360]

I'm looking at some LED's for under my dash on both sides and under both front seats to light up the floor (4 LED's) I'm fairly stupid when it comes to doing interior lights, as far as voltages and currents are concerned, so these questions are probably gonna seem pretty easy to answer. First and foremost, do I absolutley have to use a resistor with these foot long LED's? How would I go about finding what type of resistor to buy? And lastly, parallel or series? Parallel is easier, but I don't care about that, which is better?

[liquidPunk]

If you do them in series then if you have a wiring issue with one, they will all not work( the lights behind the one messing up)... But It is much easier and you have less wires to hide than with parallel... Usually I do a little of both And have a few lights working together, kinda gets the best of both worlds.

[Linebckr49]

let me first say, i'm not hating, but slapping in some LEDs to light underneath the dash and interior is just not my cup of tea. it doesn't look stock, looks a little ricey like F&F.

however, a great alternative and unique option is to replace all/some of the lights on your gauges, interiors panels, etc with LEDs. it actually is a bit easier than wiring a strip of LEDs in paralell. here is a write-up:

http://www.penguinhosting.net/~bigma...leds/leds.html

and a thread about it http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=344193

and here is how it could look
http://www.penguinhosting.net/~bigma...selectedsub=82

[TorchedStealth]

We just installed a few blue LED's in my friends stealth and they turned out good, im gonna be doing mine sometime soon too. I dont remember exactly how we did it cause my dad helped us so im gonna have to look at my friend's when i do mine. As far as rice, i really dont think they are bad, they actually help so you dont feel so lonely at night

[planet_keeper]

that guy's dash in that link is sexy as hell but i read his write-up on it on stealth316.com and he said it was the hardest and most time consuming mod he had ever done in his life. seems like the center stack gauges would be the hardest, given that they kinda fall apart when you taken them out. all those little lights all over the car would be tricky too, especially with all of the little breakable tabs and stuff that hold them together. the main gauge cluster seems easy enough to do tho.

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by planet_keeper

that guy's dash in that link is sexy as hell but i read his write-up on it on stealth316.com and he said it was the hardest and most time consuming mod he had ever done in his life. seems like the center stack gauges would be the hardest, given that they kinda fall apart when you taken them out. all those little lights all over the car would be tricky too, especially with all of the little breakable tabs and stuff that hold them together. the main gauge cluster seems easy enough to do tho.

can you give us the link to his write up on stealth316?

[AutostradaVR4]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

and here is how it could look
http://www.penguinhosting.net/~bigma...selectedsub=82

Thats so rediculusly beautiful. Looks like a complete pain in the ass. If someone offered the service i bet they could make a few bucks though...I'd pay someone to do it.

[planet_keeper]

http://www.penguinhosting.net/~bigma...leds/leds.html

i guess its actually an offsite link but thats it. looks like alot of work to me but then again i have very little experience with those electrical things. the end result definitly kicks major ass though.

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by BlinkRA182

Thats so rediculusly beautiful. Looks like a complete pain in the ass. If someone offered the service i bet they could make a few bucks though...I'd pay someone to do it.

complete PITA? how?

i honestly don't know what looks so difficult about it all. its pretty simple: in place of a bulb, put a LED + resistor. just pay attention to the polarity of the resistor. epoxy part is simple. i guess remove the electronics would be a little tedious, but just take your time so you don't break any plastic clips. soldering is not that hard, just takes some practice and get a decent soldering iron (not a $15 cheapo one).

[VR43000GT]

I got to go with Andrew on this one. It looks Ok I guess but I would never do that just because the first thing that pops in my head is "rice". I think of the 3/S as somewhat of a sophisticated car that should have a clean look to it instead of some glow that you would see in a Civic.

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by SL3000gt

the first thing that pops in my head is "rice". I think of the 3/S as somewhat of a sophisticated car that should have a clean look to it instead of some glow that you would see in a Civic.

i agree, somewhat. however, this is just replacing the stock orange vomit-inducing color bulbs from the 90's. i think the cool blue LED would look much better. AND, you get a LED of less intensity so it wouldn't be so bright. i think you could make it look less ricey than in the pictures. i think it could look very nice.

[AutostradaVR4]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

i agree, somewhat. however, this is just replacing the stock orange vomit-inducing color bulbs from the 90's. i think the cool blue LED would look much better. AND, you get a LED of less intensity so it wouldn't be so bright. i think you could make it look less ricey than in the pictures. i think it could look very nice.

i think he was talking about the original idea...in which i agree completely.