DIY BMW Style Ambient Lighting


Thread Starter #31
RPM2500

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@RPM, can you post some pics of the light if you have spare? how it is connected? any plug type is available or how?
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Its the normal LED strip which we get for 80 Rs per metre, since the minimum set should be 3 in LED strip i have pasted the LED strip from inside which fit correctly into the holes.

No plug would be required just connect it to power source of your choice by soldering
 
#32
bhvm

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Amazing work man, I am about to get my XUV 500 and don't like the RED ambient lights that it comes with. I would like to change the LED to White or Blue. Your inputs shall be invaluable mate.
 
Thread Starter #33
RPM2500

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Amazing work man, I am about to get my XUV 500 and don't like the RED ambient lights that it comes with. I would like to change the LED to White or Blue. Your inputs shall be invaluable mate.
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That's a great idea, will make your Cheetah look unique but again i suggest you to check if it voids warranty
 
#34
vijay

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simply awesome work mate superb DIY you did.
Any issues faced so far taking this DIY and if you can post the costs inccured for the same.
Have seen some of this works and yes the one you did looks simply superb right side of the lights effect, have seen some cars with much over of the leds done inside.
 
Thread Starter #35
RPM2500

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simply awesome work mate superb DIY you did.
Any issues faced so far taking this DIY and if you can post the costs inccured for the same.
Have seen some of this works and yes the one you did looks simply superb right side of the lights effect, have seen some cars with much over of the leds done inside.
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Thanks Vijay for appreciating my work.... problems so far is the excessive wiring which has been done for this, apart from that there are no significant problems as of now

Cost break up for ESTEEM -

EL lights - 450
LED's - 80/- per metre, so i took 3, thats 240
Soldering machine - 90
wires - 100

so total cost for Esteem ambient lighting including EL lights is 450+240+90+100 = 880

cost without EL - 430

Cost break up for SANTRO -


LED strip - 80
Wires - 100

Total Cost - 180

Total cost for santro was less since we had tools already,i took help of electrician many times since i do not have electrical knowledge, so paid him 500 for both cars
 
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#36
sethumurugan

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RPM, how the EL lights are connected to power? plug or soldering ?

Sorry if it is repeat of question if you found it duplicate, since the earlier one I asked in wrong places [:)]
 
Thread Starter #37
RPM2500

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RPM, how the EL lights are connected to power? plug or soldering ?

Sorry if it is repeat of question if you found it duplicate, since the earlier one I asked in wrong places [:)]
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Sethu Ji it has to be connected to the wires directly, you will also have the option of having cigarette lighter connection also but this one didnt have that so spliced the parking light wires and connected them directly
 
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manjoo

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RPM no doubt you have made your Esteem to like like BMW.

The work which you have done is really impressive and after seeing your thread everyone wants to have such one Ambient lighting in their cars.

one question here , Can this EL wire diameter be increased or say i want more flat kind of style. More size means it will be consuming more power not more than 3W.
 
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#40
bhvm

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RPM2500 said:
That's a great idea, will make your Cheetah look unique but again i suggest you to check if it voids warranty
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Thanks for the input Mate,
I think it may void the warranty so i may put it off till next year. But if its as easy as open the cover and change the LEDs (like in reading lights) I may do it at once.

Here are planned mods for my XUV, your any input is valuable.-
LED strips underbody, Inside Grille and rear of vehicles
Woofer and AMP
Decals/ Racing stripes
Headlight mod with HID for low beam and Quad Rally style fog lamps on roof

Past mods-
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/do-yourself/12142-selfmade-suv-decals-tata-safari.html

DIY Sports Car LED headlights
 
Thread Starter #41
RPM2500

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RPM no doubt you have made your Esteem to like like BMW.

The work which you have done is really impressive and after seeing your thread everyone wants to have such one Ambient lighting in their cars.
Click to expand...
Thank you Manjoo

one question here , Can this EL wire diameter be increased or say i want more flat kind of style. More size means it will be consuming more power not more than 3W.
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We cannot extend EL wires, it comes as a whole unit of EL Wire and control box... i have seen DIYers on the internet cut and shorten the wire and reconnect it, but since we do not have components available pertaining to El wire its better off not cutting it. You may however hide the extra in case you want to shorten the wire, or add an additional wire/or buy a long 6m length cable

Talking about EL tape, even that is a good source of EL light modifcation. DC has started using these tapes in their car interiors

Some pics where EL tape has been used instead of EL wires
 

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#42
freakdude

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One word bro, SUPERB!! This is a seriously professionally done DIY mate. Have a few questions, I hope you don't mind :

1. Where did you source ELs from? On EBay, it's 1400 for 3mtr.
2. How bright are the ELs, do they pinch in the eyes at night?
3. How to stick the ELs on dash/plastics? What is EL tape and cost of it.
 
Thread Starter #43
RPM2500

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One word bro, SUPERB!! This is a seriously professionally done DIY mate. Have a few questions, I hope you don't mind :
Click to expand...
Thanks Freakdude [:)]

My answers in bold -

1. Where did you source ELs from? On EBay, it's 1400 for 3mtr.
I have given the link in my previous posts, however im providing a different link to the same product below
You can source it from
DealExtreme - Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - DX Free Shipping Worldwide,

https://dx.com/p/flexible-2-mode-bl...1013?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=45913&u=41013

2. How bright are the ELs, do they pinch in the eyes at night?

Unlike LED's these do not pinch or disturb the eyes, its a soft light

3. How to stick the ELs on dash/plastics? What is EL tape and cost of it.
I have tried to wedge the EL lights between the space in the dash panels, and used fevi quick just to secure them in place

There is one website which deals in EL tape, let me just find that out and give you the link


There is also a website - https://www.eloem.com/ , however i have not purchased from here, so any one purchasing from here will be doing at their own risk. I have seen people ordering stuff from this website on other forums
 
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#44
freakdude

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RPM2500 said:
Thanks Freakdude [:)]

My answers in bold -

1. Where did you source ELs from? On EBay, it's 1400 for 3mtr.
I have given the link in my previous posts, however im providing a different link to the same product below
You can source it from
DealExtreme - Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - DX Free Shipping Worldwide,

https://dx.com/p/flexible-2-mode-bl...1013?rt=1&p=2&m=2&r=3&k=1&t=1&s=45913&u=41013

2. How bright are the ELs, do they pinch in the eyes at night?

Unlike LED's these do not pinch or disturb the eyes, its a soft light

3. How to stick the ELs on dash/plastics? What is EL tape and cost of it.
I have tried to wedge the EL lights between the space in the dash panels, and used fevi quick just to secure them in place

There is one website which deals in EL tape, let me just find that out and give you the link


There is also a website - https://www.eloem.com/ , however i have not purchased from here, so any one purchasing from here will be doing at their own risk. I have seen people ordering stuff from this website on other forums
Click to expand...
Thanks a ton mate for the quick replies. I plan to do the same on my Etios's dash and doorpads. Will seek your help as and when I start that. Any cautions you would like to issue in general. What would be the best source to power them, parking lights?
 
Thread Starter #45
RPM2500

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Thanks a ton mate for the quick replies. I plan to do the same on my Etios's dash and doorpads. Will seek your help as and when I start that. Any cautions you would like to issue in general. What would be the best source to power them, parking lights?
Click to expand...
Parking lights would be better i feel,

and remember if at all you are connecting them to parking lights you might want to add another switch over and above that, this is in case you are on highways and don't want so many lights in the night (it doesn't disturb/distract driving though)

Precautions to take -

The EL lights don't emit heat , its cold to touch so there wont be any issues as such. Just add a fuse to the wire if you want to be extra careful
 
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