Switch panel lighting?

Hey all, I'm sure this has got to exist somewhere, but maybe I'm just searching for the wrong thing because I'm not finding anything. The switch panel and center console area under the dash is pretty dark at night. Is there a lighting solution available that can better illuminate that area?

 

Well, since there are no replies to this I decided to snag a couple of lighting items to try and put something together. I ended out buying the 7" Lightning LED strip flexible LED strip and a black latching switch (both red). I can cut that strip down to less than 9" to fit in that space.

https://gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-7-long-lightning-series-led-light-strip/ (this is currently on sale as of this post BTW)
https://gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-12-flexible-led-strip/ (nixed the one above and went with this instead)
https://gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-led-halo-switch-black-bezel-latching-switch/

The (very loosely thought out) plan is to stick the LED strip under the dash on the switch panel housing and install the button on the panel itself somewhere. I've ordered those new 2018 bi-LED headlights and the NSV hood bulge light bar that comes w/its own panel, so I'll wire this stuff in when I do those upgrades.

Not sure where a constant power source would be that I could tap into though. I was thinking the cigarette lighter initially. Anyone have a better idea?

 

Just a heads up on those lightning led. I got 2 free as a black Friday deal which were damaged due to tiny wires were broke. Yes they sent 2 new ones. They are too bright for switch panel lights. I ended up using 4 of them as bed lights.

 

Thanks, I was wondering about that. I figured I would use them elsewhere, but I may just cancel the order and just grab their LED strip instead.

 

The other option I was going to use them for was to wire them into the door light on so they would act as a puddle light and mount them under the door between my running boards. However the wiring is so small on them I didn't think they would hold up

 

Puddle light would be interesting. That's a mod I briefly kicked around, but wasn't sure what I was going to do with the mirrors so I put it on the back-burner. Might have to revisit these lights again if I end out doing that mod. Incidentally I canceled my original order and went with the flex LED strip I also linked above. It's not quite as clean, but where it'll be located will make it hard to see, if it's seen at all.

 

I used one of these to light the panel under the radio and one to light the inside of the console. They are a lot brighter than you would expect them to be, I had to add a couple resistors to dim them down to keep them from being blinding at night.

$10 Oznium BRIGHTEST Light Bolt - Flush Mount 12V LED Light for Bumper, Grille, Cars Interior, Dash, Ambient Lighting, Motorcycle w/SLEEK Aluminum Housing & Screw Nut (6 mm Black, Cool White LED)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFU4QD6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Here's a pic of where I mounted the led and you'll get an idea of just how small it is. And yes, I know it's in serious need of a cleaning, but I haven't had a day off in 2 weeks.

 

Good choice on location. That's pretty impressive light output for such a little LED. Did you put a switch to it or is it always on?

... incidentally, I'm totally judging you now based upon your cleanliness.

 

It is wired to an ignition 12v, actually I tapped into the power and ground wires to the 12v socket inside the console, so it's on any time the ignition is on. The 12v socket wires were just the easiest wires to access, since they were right there when I took the top of the console off to install the LED. If you think it's bright now, you should have seen it before I dimmed it down.
Also I just double checked and I forgot that I used a different led light that I already had inside the console. The light inside the console is one of these and it did not need a resistor to dim it down.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076SDCJ1...olid=1Q5LXDATMSB6A&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Nice, I've been thinking about doing a lighted console when the lid is lifted. Those may work perfectly.

 

Those 2 places missing light, drove me nuts the first time I drove the truck at night and I knew I just had to do something about it.

 

Next I have to figure out a way to light up the power mirror switch, that isn't to obvious or gaudy. I'm thinking about giving one of these a try.

$11 Prewired Surface Mount LEDs (2835, Cool White LED) - 3 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENC1SXI/ref=twister_B01ENC1O4G?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

 

Yep, right there w/ya. It was literally the first night I had it that I knew those areas were getting lights lol.

 

There's a lot of little niggly things like that that really need to be lighted IMHO. I'll probably end out snagging some interior parts from a junkyard and tinker around at some point.

 

Ask @nk1794 . He did some videos.

 

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I saw those, but they're not exactly what I want. I actually still have another one of the small LEDs that I used in the front of my console, that I had bought for that spot, but it's the angle of the surface above the switch that is the problem. The area where he mounted his LEDs is where I was gonna mount it, but the angle aims the light more towards my knee than the switch. I don't want to see the actual light, just the glow from it.

 

I'm actually looking for a shielded light bar that won't obstruct what I'm reaching for just for that exact reason.

 

I was worried about the angle as well but with the right LED it’s not an issue for me. The LED that I found (on my 3rd video) really did the trick. It’s bright enough to see all the buttons clearly but not bright enough to get into my eyes while driving. After driving around with it for a few days/nights I can say that I’m really happy with the way it turned out.

 

@BlueBottle used a very similar led for the same purpose, maybe he'll comment.

 

Yup something similar. Still like it. Let’s me see my mirror switch at night. That one looks hella bright tho!

 

Well, my LEDs came in today for my mirror switch, took about an hour start to finish, but I got the look I was after. I drilled a small hole in the panel to be able to hide the LED out of sight and angle it straight down, instead of at my knee. The LED was still brighter than I wanted, so I added. 1/2 watt 1K ohm resistor to dim it down.

 

At night, mirror switch and console switch panel lit up.

 

Are these ^^^ the lights you used in the pics below? I like them. I wanna do some in those same spots.
@BlueBottle what did you use?

 

Was thinking maybe one of these above the mirror controls. Not sure if they are too big and would stick out too far.

$8 CZC AUTO 2PCS License Plate Light, License Tag Screw Bolt Lamp, 12V White LED Bulb, Waterproof/Rainproof, Black Aluminium Light Holder, Legal for Car Motorcycle Truck RV ATV Bike

https://www.amazon.com/CZC-AUTO-Wat...861882&sr=8-1-spons&ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa&psc=1

 

I used one of those for the mirror switch, I used one of these for the the front of the console/usb/power port area.

$10 Oznium BRIGHTEST Light Bolt - Flush Mount 12V LED Light for Bumper, Grille, Cars Interior, Dash, Ambient Lighting, Motorcycle w/SLEEK Aluminum Housing & Screw Nut (6 mm Black, Cool White LED)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFU4QD6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Thanks man. I wanna try this

 

Both were brighter than I wanted, so I had to add a 1/2 watt 1k resistor to each to dim them down.

 

Thanks for that tip. I have never wired resistors or even bought them. Is it ok if I hit you up with a PM when the time comes for me to do this?

 

This should answer any questions you may have.
https://youtu.be/ID_KC9fC3rc