Modded: MORE interior ambient lighting
03-13-2019, 05:15 PM
#11
I've previously retrofitted the ambient lighting into the door panels, you can see my thread about this process here. It's still working great and looks totally original!
Today, I completed another ambitious project for my interior ambient lighting. Here's the finished result...
These images make the lighting seem very bright, but it's actually a great fit with the rest of the interior lighting.
The LED Fibre Optics
The solid "bars" of light are created using something known as "side-glow" fibre optics. This is the same method used in the door panels and on the sides of the centre console with the standard factory-fitted ambient lighting.
I used 3mm diameter "skirted" side-glow fibre optic, the skirt means I was able to simply tuck the fibre in between the interior trim panels. This means no glue or adhesive was needed at all. Fibre optic is famously difficult to glue, and i didn't want to apply nasty glue to my interior.
To light the fibre optics, I ordered the same LED modules used for the exit warning system in the door panels. This means the red colour is consistent throughout the entire cabin. These LED modules are specifically designed for illuminating fibre optics (this is how the exit assist light bars also work) so they were perfect. The part number is 8W0-947-356-C, I used one for each of the fibres.
Since this part is used for the exit assist, it's only designed to blink quickly for a few seconds. It's a very bright LED but will warm up quickly if lit constantly, this can shorten the life of an LED so I added a simple 180 ohm resistor to the positive wire. The LED now lights brightly and stays cool.
The LED Strip
The red LED strip in the centre console is a very simple 12v red LED strip available from Amazon, eBay or even in electronics stores. These are sold with an adhesive backing, I attached the strip above the 12v socket. The textured plastic is not great for this adhesive backing, luckily there is a smooth plastic section a little further back which worked well.
The LED strip initially ran very bright and a little worm, so I used a 220 ohm resistor to reduce the brightness a little. It looks great now.
Wiring & Power
I removed the footwell LED module and soldered extra wiring out of the module (there's a convenient gap that the wiring fits though). I also wrapped all of the wiring in car loom fabric tape to reduce rattle, and added a simple clip connector for easy installation. I wanted the entire install to be as comprehensive and professional as possible. All of the wiring and connections look like they're factory fitted, and can be entirely removed in a matter of seconds.
Using the footwell LED module for power means the lighting will illuminate and fade with the rest of the interior lighting.
Today, I completed another ambitious project for my interior ambient lighting. Here's the finished result...
These images make the lighting seem very bright, but it's actually a great fit with the rest of the interior lighting.
The LED Fibre Optics
The solid "bars" of light are created using something known as "side-glow" fibre optics. This is the same method used in the door panels and on the sides of the centre console with the standard factory-fitted ambient lighting.
I used 3mm diameter "skirted" side-glow fibre optic, the skirt means I was able to simply tuck the fibre in between the interior trim panels. This means no glue or adhesive was needed at all. Fibre optic is famously difficult to glue, and i didn't want to apply nasty glue to my interior.
To light the fibre optics, I ordered the same LED modules used for the exit warning system in the door panels. This means the red colour is consistent throughout the entire cabin. These LED modules are specifically designed for illuminating fibre optics (this is how the exit assist light bars also work) so they were perfect. The part number is 8W0-947-356-C, I used one for each of the fibres.
Since this part is used for the exit assist, it's only designed to blink quickly for a few seconds. It's a very bright LED but will warm up quickly if lit constantly, this can shorten the life of an LED so I added a simple 180 ohm resistor to the positive wire. The LED now lights brightly and stays cool.
The LED Strip
The red LED strip in the centre console is a very simple 12v red LED strip available from Amazon, eBay or even in electronics stores. These are sold with an adhesive backing, I attached the strip above the 12v socket. The textured plastic is not great for this adhesive backing, luckily there is a smooth plastic section a little further back which worked well.
The LED strip initially ran very bright and a little worm, so I used a 220 ohm resistor to reduce the brightness a little. It looks great now.
Wiring & Power
I removed the footwell LED module and soldered extra wiring out of the module (there's a convenient gap that the wiring fits though). I also wrapped all of the wiring in car loom fabric tape to reduce rattle, and added a simple clip connector for easy installation. I wanted the entire install to be as comprehensive and professional as possible. All of the wiring and connections look like they're factory fitted, and can be entirely removed in a matter of seconds.
Using the footwell LED module for power means the lighting will illuminate and fade with the rest of the interior lighting.
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/6db90d27-5059-40db-a1ee-dbe539c591b4[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/936d6509-467a-458f-ae87-61f63a93ae90[/img]
03-13-2019, 05:18 PM
#12
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
that’s great. I only have the B8.5 allroad and with your information I was able to “add” my custom ambience lighting using skirted fiber optics. I will be adding side glow led strips to place along the contours that runs along the side sills to add more ambience. And I am also hooked up to the footwell lights so I am able to adjust lighting with the MMI interior light adjustment.
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/6db90d27-5...e-dbe539c591b4
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/936d6509-4...7-61f63a93ae90
11-13-2019, 08:39 AM
#13
AudiWorld Newcomer
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More info
Hello. Can we get more info on this? Looking to do this on my A4. I would like to add a multi color lstrip light under the trim PC in the center under the screen.
]
]
Thx
that’s great. I only have the B8.5 allroad and with your information I was able to “add” my custom ambience lighting using skirted fiber optics. I will be adding side glow led strips to place along the contours that runs along the side sills to add more ambience. And I am also hooked up to the footwell lights so I am able to adjust lighting with the MMI interior light adjustment.
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/6db90d27-5...e-dbe539c591b4
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/936d6509-4...7-61f63a93ae90
[/QUOTE]
that’s great. I only have the B8.5 allroad and with your information I was able to “add” my custom ambience lighting using skirted fiber optics. I will be adding side glow led strips to place along the contours that runs along the side sills to add more ambience. And I am also hooked up to the footwell lights so I am able to adjust lighting with the MMI interior light adjustment.
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/6db90d27-5...e-dbe539c591b4
[img]blob:https://www.audiworld.com/936d6509-4...7-61f63a93ae90
11-14-2019, 06:53 AM
#15
AudiWorld Super User
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yoshimura
Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 Coupe & Cabrio (B9)
0
10-13-2017 11:02 AM
bourmb
Q7 MKII Discussion
0
04-05-2017 05:07 PM
quaTTro411
TT (Mk1) Discussion
1
08-08-2007 08:37 AM