homemade LED Maplights - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

poohbear · 07-20-2007, 07:04 AM

Here's a simple mod for adding more light to the car.
I used 9 wide angle white leds (20mA) on each side running with a small voltage regulator.

This is the maplight unit.

I removed the original metal container to fit my new LED and pcb board

This is what the small circuit board look like

This is what it looks like when its all connected

and the other side

This is the look from outside

The view from outside the car

drunken_panda · 07-20-2007, 08:41 AM

I've been planning something like that for a while. On a side note, you guys have a different over head unit then us.

Aceventura9586 · 07-20-2007, 10:21 AM

They also drive on the wrong side of the road!

Avalonman · 07-20-2007, 10:33 AM

^lol, before you got to the pic of it in the car, I thought it was for the rear seat.

2k4CamThrilla · 07-20-2007, 12:09 PM

Very nice... You should post like a "HOW TO"

white3ch0c0late · 07-20-2007, 12:23 PM

I don't like that its bare from the outside. Maybe put a lens on there or something to cover up the guts.

whiteboy · 07-20-2007, 12:46 PM

I like it, clean and not $80 like some other boards heh
one question why so many resistors? I've hooked up a couple to 3 led's at once before with one without problems, I'm guessing you have one for each led,
and the pcb boards they dont serve an electrical purpose correct? just the shape and can form it however you like?
sorry I should do more research before that question but no time atm about to leave dont want to forget heh

***PhatRoyale*** · 07-20-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white3ch0c0late

I don't like that its bare from the outside. Maybe put a lens on there or something to cover up the guts.

+1

poohbear · 07-20-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

+1

well it is covered up.., i was just showing the "guts" of it on another photo :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteboy

I like it, clean and not $80 like some other boards heh
one question why so many resistors? I've hooked up a couple to 3 led's at once before with one without problems, I'm guessing you have one for each led,
and the pcb boards they dont serve an electrical purpose correct? just the shape and can form it however you like?
sorry I should do more research before that question but no time atm about to leave dont want to forget heh

there were many resistors because you can only run 3 white leds per series for 12-14volt source (white leds = ~3.3v drop each).
and the pcb board makes it neater and easier to solder.

white3ch0c0late · 07-20-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear

well it is covered up.., i was just showing the "guts" of it on another photo :P

Cool deal. Now its hot.

Haha. Good work.

***CharmCityES*** · 07-20-2007, 11:33 PM

me likey
i love your whole car poohbear....its like an aussie version of my car

bike4miles · 08-08-2007, 06:30 PM

Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead but does anyone know how easy it wold be to change all the factory green lighting in the heater controlls and such to a diferent color with LED's? I would like to change over to blue if it's not too dificult. Has anyone done this?

whiteboy · 08-09-2007, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bike4miles

Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead but does anyone know how easy it wold be to change all the factory green lighting in the heater controlls and such to a diferent color with LED's? I would like to change over to blue if it's not too dificult. Has anyone done this?

I've seen it done on a Gen5 on cardomain somewhere if I rememebr right but I've taken the controls apart myself to take a look basically you either would have to older out the old ones out of the board and solder in new ones, or cover them with some sort of a tint (not 100% on this becaue it seems to only give off green and some others so if you use a diff color tint not sure how much light output you'll actually get) but ya I basically took it apart and put it back together because I didn't have the right tools, but it would be a neat small interior project def get my attention

johnnyzee · 08-09-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bike4miles

Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead but does anyone know how easy it wold be to change all the factory green lighting in the heater controlls and such to a diferent color with LED's? I would like to change over to blue if it's not too dificult. Has anyone done this?

Here you go man, with pics and all. page 1 and 3 of that thread have the pictures. (*cough*_Search the forums_*cough*). my thursday morning gift

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t97347.html

drunken_panda · 08-09-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyzee

Here you go man, with pics and all. page 1 and 3 of that thread have the pictures. (*cough*_Search the forums_*cough*). my thursday morning gift

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t97347.html

The Gen5 is different. The HVAC controls have the standard yellow/white bulbs with no condom, the thing is that the actual markings (foot, face, defroster etc) has a green background to it. So even if you change the blub to blue or red, there will still be a filter over it. At some point I plan to see if I can remove the filter or print a new one out on plexi and cut it out.