LED Cup Holder

[metrick1235]

This is my first full right up, so sorry if it isnt up to par with most of them.


So i got an idea when i was searching for LED projects to do. I thought it would be cool to have Lighted cup holders.
So i found a way to do it for $5. Bought two LED strips from Ebay, with the resistors built in.

Took CupHolders unit out.

LED Strip

Wired in and used the 3m backing. Making sure it was straight

Tested the light

Spliced into the light for the shifter light

Put it all back together. Tada!

Hope you enjoy

 

[hunt98accord]

I like this mite have to do it. Does it show through much when you have it closed?

 

[metrick1235]

i dont know.. ill let you know tonight, i just installed and posted, im actually thinking of rewiring to the dimmer switch.

 

[hunt98accord]

Hmm where did you decide to place the dimmer switch? I'm getting ready to do my 6 speed swap though may as well do it while i'm down in there.

 

[metrick1235]

i was planning on wiring it to the dash dimmer switch.

 

[hunt98accord]

Oh not a separate switch like my gauges on all the time but not all my interior lights. hmm though I guess its how much it shows when its closed.

 

[Russianred]

Glad that your Sonic drink will be lit up blue now.

Good luck taking out the cupholders and cleaning them when you really need to though.. They get dirty quickly and I usually clean mine often. Think everything through. I would have dilled holes on on the level you want the light to shine trough, and mount the LED strips from the outside as opposed to the inside. This way it would be easier to unmount them somehow if you need to remove the cupholder completely and clean it. Just my $0.02. Good idea on this
DIY.

 

[hunt98accord]

Ya I was kinda wondering about how it would work out if you spill something you need to clean up.

 

[RedRyder]

Easy enough DIY and cool idea, but to be honest I don't think this would look great during the day since the strip is visible. And the adhesive on the back of those strips only has so much tack, and it will probably want to peel off eventually after dirt/dust gets in. At night I'm sure it looks good.

Honestly the best way to do this imo is drill holes in the holder near the top of both compartments, to whatever size the base of an 194 LED bulb is, then mount the bulb (from the outside) in the hole and solder wire to the leads of each and run it to the power source.

 

[metrick1235]

They are waterproof, so if i need to clean them i can wipe them with a cloth and 409/Windex...The 3m sticky side can be redone if i have too. I didnt want to do a mod that couldnt be undone so i didnt want to drill holes.