Whats up guys.....have an idea for everyone to try out....wouldnt cost much....just a little time and know how....

My grandfather just bought a brand new 745. Nice car and all (although I think the LS430 is a lot better)

Anyway, he has this option...when you unlock the car, the door handles on the OUTSIDE are lit up by little LED looking lights.

So, my idea was to have an LED hidden inside the door handle well, behind the actual handle in whatever color one desires, to turn on when the car is unlocked or shut off. I think this would be a pretty cool feature, if not just a HUGE bling bling factor. Im trying to figure out a good way to do this, but having problems with waterproofing it.

Anyone have ideas chime in....

_-Dave

 

It's on my To-Do list, including lighting up the inside handles

For waterproofing, you could simply apply a small dab of Goop. The LED would be well hidden from view to begin with, so a bit of Goop smoothed out won't be seen either. Goop is good for some pretty extreme weather conditions.

 

What do you think would be the best place to hook up the lights?????

I see that when you unlock the car, the "dome" lights come on....so wire it over there....or do you have a better idea......

Problem with me is, i can bang out ideas a mile a minute, but actually making it work is another story.

Thanks for the response...

 

lol I am trying to do this as well.

 

Hmm..

Could splice a small cap in parallel to the door lock signal wire - the cap would act like a mini-battery, discharging over time and eventually turning off the LED (of course, depending on how efficient the LED and the rating of the cap, that could be awhile )

 

You making fun of my cap lol

 

Not at all...just trying to throw an idea or two out there in this thread that you gravedug the hell out of...

 

drill a small hole in your door handle, have the led poking out from there.

 

I would just tap in with the dome light circuit, LED's draw suck little power it shouldnt make much if any difference to the circuit. You will need a resistor, capasitor would be optional.

As for waterproofing, its not a big deal really, but you could throw some hot glue on any wires you are worried about.

You might as well do both the exterior and interior handles at the same time, that way you only need one resistor and capasitor.

Obviously there are many choices regarding the combinations of led/resistor/cap. You could even used an adjustable resistor (potentiometer) so you can dim the LED's. I made a flashlight like this, but instead of a 9v battery you have a 14.4v source from the dome light.

Good luck, sounds like fun.

 

Wow I just realized this was a post from 03'. Oh well still a good idea.