LED Underdash Lights - Options?

Hey all, so I have shelves fitted under the dash (similar to the JK black plastic ones) and I'm thinking about fitting some under dash lighting (not under shelf lighting) so that its not pitch black under there at night.

I'm thinking about connecting them to the side lights circuit, so that they automatically come on with the dash lights. So I'm not wanting anything too bright, just a bit of subtle lighting that allows you to find things under the dash when you are driving along at night. Very similar to the subtle interior lighting you get in modern cars when the side lights are switched on.

So I'm thinking about maybe some red LED strips (red due to the fact they travel\reflect less, and so won't be distracting or light up the cab), or maybe some blue\green ones which might go better with the interior scheme.

But I was wondering if anyone has tried this, or could recommend some LED's - hoping someone might have tried some out, and so I don't need to run the danger of buying some that are too bright or some other pitfall I haven't yet thought of!

Any thoughts\advice very welcome

Cheers

 

Phil

I was considering something similar, but for interior lights in the back when the door is open. I looked at several light sets in Halfords and you can play with them to establish the intensity of the light.
They had several options available and if nothing else you get to play with the lights and establish the correct level of light you want.
Beware of the spotty hurbet who thinks he knows everything about fitting aftermarket stuff.

 

I will also be fitting some in the rear but not sure at in cab while driving as I have a 12v socket splitter wit LEDs and find them distracting but these are facing up.

 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/12vdc-led-strip-218015

 

Yeah I am keen to make sure that doesn't happen - i.e. they become distracting. I think if they face down and the LED's themselves can't be seen, then it might work

 

Cheers, I did see those, I might try them out, but just wondering if they will be too bright.

 

Cheers for the advice. I'll have to take a look at those LED's that you can change the intensity of

 

you can fit a dimmer to them or just cut them down and spread them out

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Dual-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35bdc751cf

 

Have a look at eBay item 190479877719

Would post a link but on tablet and don't know how yet.

 

Yes in the PIC but darker in the others and I wondered if the remote would dim them.

 

LEDs are BRIGHT by nature. I was inMaplins and an assistant applied one AA battery to whole reel of LEDs and they lit up like a Xmas tree. You would need a dimmer for use as mood lighting or under dash, better than a resistor as you need dim for driving and brighter for finding stuff. You can get them from Maplins.

 

I've got two strips of the soft white flexi LEDs under my dash but I've got them wired to a switch on the dash. They aren't mega bright but light up the foot wells nicely if you've dropped anything at night.
I'll see if I've got a pic later

I've also got some white and blue ones in my top looker, I think the blue ones maybe too bright for what your after.

 

Cheers for the ideas guys. I'm away working till the end of the month, so will be looking at this when I get back home.

chrisgooner - Would be good to see your setup if you do get time to take a pic at some point.

 

a tip for dimming them is to rub a bit of sandpaper over the top of the leds it helps to defuse the light

 

The cold cathode neons i linked to i used to have blue ones mounted under the dash on my fiestas to light the footwells up
They are a more diffuesd light than the led strips
I ran mine of the interior light circuit so they cam on when you opend the door

 

Can you run some lights on the instrument panel dimmer in the headlight switch? That would be cool.