C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

D.I.Y. - Interior Footwell LEDs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rating: Thread Rating: 2 votes, 5.00 average.
 
Old 01-12-2008, 06:28 PM
  #1  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
D.I.Y. - Interior Footwell LEDs

Disclaimer: Due to the involvement of electrical components, perform this mod at your own risk. For the record, I have had this modification in my car for about 5 months now with no problems.

The kit used in this install is the 4 piece non-expandable kit from LEDUnderBody.com.

Features many different patterns including:

* Slow fades between contrasts of your color
* Slow/Fast Chasing Effect
* Slow fade from dark to to brightest & back to dark
* Fast fade from dark to to brightest & back to dark
* Fast Strobing Effect
Here's my youtube video demonstrating the different modes of the interior kit and my underbody kit (made by same company).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2KfwmVmgxfY

This is the kit:
Includes everything needed for installation:

* 4 9" Wide Angle LED Tubes
* 6 Ft of wire for each tube
* Comes with power wire with inline fuse and control box
* One Year Warranty
* Mounting hardware included


The mounting hardware that they include is just a few very small screws that aren't very practical, so I instead went out and bought some double sided 3M heavy duty automotive molding tape as well as some electrical tape for extra hold.

The first thing you should do is mount your control box. This way, you know exactly how much wire you have to work with. I mounted mine between the console and my driver's seat. It's easily accessible and out of plain sight.



This is the underside of my driver's seat. This tube, as well as the others, is secured by 3m double sided tape and electrical tape on the sides just in case.



This is the driver side footwell, ELECTRICAL tape should be used. The red/black cable is the power source and it runs across the footwell and up into the fuse box, which is behind your headlamp controls.



This is what my fuse box looks like because I have my Valentine One, my led underbody and my led interior drawing power from here.

You will only need to worry about two wires:
The red one (power) and the black one (ground.


Pull out any fuse (yes, any...I've tried them all and they all work) and wrap the red wire around one of the stems of the fuse. You may need to strip the plastic around the wire to get enough contact between the wire and the fuse. Place the fuse back into its original slot.


Now, we need to connect the ground wire to a nearby screw. Conveniently, there is one inches from the fuse box. Loosen the screw a little bit, wrap the wire around the screw and tighten the screw, making sure the screw is holding the wire in place.


The two wires for the passenger side wrap around the back of the console.


A side shot displaying where the wires are tucked that lead to the passenger footwell tube.


Passenger footwell tube:


The tube underneath passenger seat. Again, secured with 3m double sided tape, and electrical tape on the sides.


That's pretty much it, it's a very simple and straightforward install.

Here are some finished pics:



Last edited by kevblah; 01-12-2008 at 06:39 PM.
Old 01-12-2008, 07:48 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
advans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
not bad kev. hmmm...
Old 01-12-2008, 08:26 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
MrMercedes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Rocklin,Ca
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2003 C230k
Can We Say RICE! Sorry not a fan. If I wanted to do that, I would have gotten a Honda.
Old 01-12-2008, 08:46 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
User110's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2003 Cl 500
not bad, just too much light if you ask me




ALi
Old 01-12-2008, 09:27 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
C24owner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'08 E550 4Matic
Kev, I would rethink your power source. If you want to tap into a fuse, please do it correctly. Thats just asking for trouble.

You want to use this:

Old 01-12-2008, 09:36 PM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by C24owner
Kev, I would rethink your power source. If you want to tap into a fuse, please do it correctly. Thats just asking for trouble.

You want to use this:

yeah i couldnt find any other than online
so i did that for a 'temporary' fix...
but left it when it didnt cause any trouble
Old 01-12-2008, 09:52 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
advans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
Originally Posted by MrMercedes
Can We Say RICE! Sorry not a fan. If I wanted to do that, I would have gotten a Honda.
I dont think its necessarily "rice"

Technically, if we "change the exhaust" and "add a body kit" would that be considered a "rice mod". I mean, as long as its not overkill neons its fine. Its for giggles.
Old 01-12-2008, 10:02 PM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
C24owner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'08 E550 4Matic
Originally Posted by kevblah
yeah i couldnt find any other than online
so i did that for a 'temporary' fix...
but left it when it didnt cause any trouble
its a fairly common part. Autozone usually has them.
Old 01-12-2008, 10:14 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Mercury's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 290
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2005 1.8 B/B
Its too much light i think. I would install it if its not dat much bright. : )
Old 01-12-2008, 10:16 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by Mercury
Its too much light i think. I would install it if its not dat much bright. : )
Yes, what you can do is aim the 2 under the seats towards the back, that will distribute the light more. I might be doing that later on.
Old 01-12-2008, 10:18 PM
  #11  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by C24owner
its a fairly common part. Autozone usually has them.
i'll check it out tomorrow, but i remember calling them and pepboys and asking and they all had no idea what i was talking about.
Old 01-12-2008, 11:04 PM
  #12  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Krytech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I agree a little too much light, but maybe if aiming them backwards doesn't help then you could tape off part of the light stick. It's probably doesn't generate much heat.
Old 01-12-2008, 11:09 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by Krytech
I agree a little too much light, but maybe if aiming them backwards doesn't help then you could tape off part of the light stick. It's probably doesn't generate much heat.
Yeah it actually doesn't generate any heat haha.
LEDs run cool enough as it is, and its enclosed in tubes.
Old 01-13-2008, 12:11 AM
  #14  
Super Member
 
kcheng86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 c320
nice, great diy
Old 01-13-2008, 12:35 AM
  #15  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
C24owner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'08 E550 4Matic
Originally Posted by kevblah
i'll check it out tomorrow, but i remember calling them and pepboys and asking and they all had no idea what i was talking about.
I am sure they have some, they just didnt want to go and take a look. Lazy b@stards.
Old 01-13-2008, 03:42 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
JonathanMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Alhambra/Irvine, CA
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
W203 Kompressor 6spd SS, Audi B5 S4
ohhhh. Cool DIY meng. I'd consider doing it, but electrical stuff isn't my thing. hahah
Old 01-13-2008, 03:47 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Mercury's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 290
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2005 1.8 B/B
Do the lights only turn on when i open the door and they turn off when i close the door?
Old 01-13-2008, 04:53 AM
  #18  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
WaveyKat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NJ, NYC
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 0
Received 55 Likes on 45 Posts
Something Slow
nice mod kind of bright tho but looking good!
Old 01-13-2008, 10:33 AM
  #19  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
moosejaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
none
Not my style but a lot of work went into this installation, so I can appreciate it. Really good write up for the do-it-urselfers. Thanks
Old 01-13-2008, 02:08 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
BLCKW203K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2003 C230K SS
I think they look really good. I think I'm gonna do it, Great DIY!
Old 01-13-2008, 02:14 PM
  #21  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Thanks to everyone that can appreciate this DIY even if it's not your style!
Old 01-13-2008, 02:35 PM
  #22  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Krytech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
Any chance you could post a picture of the white lights with a little tape blocking off 1/3-1/2 of the sticks?
Old 01-13-2008, 02:38 PM
  #23  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by Mercury
Do the lights only turn on when i open the door and they turn off when i close the door?
They aren't hooked up to the door lighting, it's just a on/off switch operated from the control box.
Old 01-13-2008, 03:52 PM
  #24  
Super Member
 
kcheng86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
03 c320
Originally Posted by Krytech
Any chance you could post a picture of the white lights with a little tape blocking off 1/3-1/2 of the sticks?
+1 on the white
Old 01-13-2008, 04:05 PM
  #25  
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
kevblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
E90 M3
Originally Posted by Krytech
Any chance you could post a picture of the white lights with a little tape blocking off 1/3-1/2 of the sticks?
i only have the single color kit
but if you guys are looking for something not as bright as what i have
i recommend getting neons because they give off a less intense glow
my friend just purchased a set of green neons (the last set) from that site
and i'll post pics of the finished install


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 2 votes, 5.00 average.

Quick Reply: D.I.Y. - Interior Footwell LEDs



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:41 PM.