S40 V40 Cars: Passenger footwell light installed

[GazT4]

Nice job Gary, ive been meaning to do this too.

Ive got a spare bulb unit, but i had realised the drivers light only comes on with the drivers door and not the passenger door.

So i will get round to fitting it with some way of switching from the passengers door, so it works well for the passenger!

[btsam]

i've recently fitted some diy 'am·bi·ence'

orange leds various places to give a subtle glow when driving at night

2 in over head switch panel, front and rear
1 in each of the centre dash cubby holes upper and lower
1 under the armrest and an centre console (under slidy thing)
1 in each of the fron doors just above the pockets, double as a puddle light

iphones take horrible pics in the dark but you get the idea

[Volvo2002]

Sam that looks great, great job

Very impressed by these interior modifications

[btsam]

just tried a quick longer shutter with the camera but i can't capture it properly and it's effin freeeeezing, makes it all look far brighter than it is and you can't see the glow it cast on the seats and in the footwell,

if you've been in a recent beemer etc with the ambient lighting you'll know what this looks like in the flesh.

[btsam]

Originally Posted by Volvo2002

Sam that looks great, great job

Very impressed by these interior modifications

[tt82]

Originally Posted by btsam

just tried a quick longer shutter with the camera but i can't capture it properly and it's effin freeeeezing, makes it all look far brighter than it is and you can't see the glow it cast on the seats and in the footwell,

if you've been in a recent beemer etc with the ambient lighting you'll know what this looks like in the flesh.

Intresting idea. Not sure if I'd find it distracting when driving though.

[inchley313]

a lot of modern cars come with this ambient glow and i think it gives the x40 a much more modern look!! I like it and may just pinch that idea using green leds just to be a bit different. (the cars green so it would make sense!)

[Baffler]

Nice touch, Sam, I think I know where you're coming from. Isn't it BMW have that lovely low glow at night so you can just see were your hand goes? I believe there are some LEDs mounted within the map light control panel...

I sometimes wish the X40 had the air vent controls illuminated as they can be difficult to locate when driving along at night. I remember years ago our Fiat Strada Abarth TC130 had an simple but brilliant answer to illumination of switchgear - it used fiber optic cables and one halogen bulb for everything. It's just a pity Fiat didn't use such ingenuity with the bodywork

[btsam]

Originally Posted by Baffler

Nice touch, Sam, I think I know where you're coming from. Isn't it BMW have that lovely low glow at night so you can just see were your hand goes? I believe there are some LEDs mounted within the map light control panel...

I sometimes wish the X40 had the air vent controls illuminated as they can be difficult to locate when driving along at night. I remember years ago our Fiat Strada Abarth TC130 had an simple but brilliant answer to illumination of switchgear - it used fiber optic cables and one halogen bulb for everything. It's just a pity Fiat didn't use such ingenuity with the bodywork

fibreoptics? mmmmmmmmm yummy

yeah i got the idea form the wifes e87 1 series

[leowyatt]

With regards to the heater controls would it not be cheaper and easier to use some C3 superluminova?

You just need a steady hand