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It's been quite some time since I posted anything so here are some updates. No, I haven't been sitting around doing nothing. The instrument cluster video project is done. Updates will be via Youtube.
In addition to that I've started standardizing my ambient illumination project, seeing how there seems to be quite a bit of interest in it. I've decided to design boards/have them produced and make a couple of sets for certain people. I am also making some parts to make installing everything a lot easier, like the actual LED modules. Should be plug and play when I am done, assuming you have the OEM ambient light system. Lots of work but beats installing LED strips in your car . If you want to know more details, shoot me a PM.
Here are a couple of pics of the work.
Footwell LED module board
Other module...
Part of the brains of the LED operation
3D printer hard at work prototyping
The other project I'm producing (designing boards etc) is my "module settings" project. That one can control accessories as well as hook up to the CAN bus and LIN bus of the car. More details on that later.
Also next on my list is incorporating the fragrance atomizer from the newer cars and controlling that with my "module settings" project via the Android headunit.
2008 MB C350 4MATIC/2011 CL63 AMG/2014 C63 Coupe 507
This is absolutely crazy. Im sure i will be interested in your parts in the near future. I am building my 2011 m157 CL63.
Has stage 2 EC tune catless downpipe, UDP pulleys amd crank pulley, and going in for a weistec tranny build soon, followed by engine build someday soon and swap my oem turbos out for the Eurocharged stage 2 turbos I have sitting around, along with many other mods. My recent project i got done was from its original black paint to satin pearl white. Will be following this thread for your goodies. Keep up the amazing work.
This is absolutely crazy. Im sure i will be interested in your parts in the near future. I am building my 2011 m157 CL63.
Has stage 2 EC tune catless downpipe, UDP pulleys amd crank pulley, and going in for a weistec tranny build soon, followed by engine build someday soon and swap my oem turbos out for the Eurocharged stage 2 turbos I have sitting around, along with many other mods. My recent project i got done was from its original black paint to satin pearl white. Will be following this thread for your goodies. Keep up the amazing work.
Very nice and clean. Love the white/black contrast thing it's got going on.
So here's the standard Benz interior light module...used in the footwells/doors/trunk etc in the CL. These are the originals I made for my car along with the stock ones in the background. Too much work to produce them on a larger scale...as the metal cover needed drilling etc.
Here's the new version being prototyped. The plastic piece (will be white in the final version) simply clips on top and has a slot for the custom board module I'll be making. The actual LED module will be off the shelf and easily replaceable...with some soldering skills.
Next up is this guy...which is used in the dash/door ambient lights. Same thing here...will be making a module to hold a custom board and clip in the place of the stock one.
Last edited by megacrazy; Jul 23, 2020 at 10:06 AM.
So now that the footwell modules are designed and done, I began designing the door/dash led mounts...and doing lots of testing in terms of resins and temperature resistance. Wouldn't be nice if it fell apart in summer or winter . Stock is middle left bottom row.
So the LED modules are complete...assembly is a snap...literally. These modules will be used in the doors and dash of the CL. Boards necessary for production are being...produced. Now we wait.
These were pretty hard to design...between them being very small and having to snap together and hold the board down and hold the plastic rods used in the car to distribute the light in a very specific position...yeah...a lot of different versions were made.
Fresh batch off the printer goo tray.
The ones going into my car will be custom black/gold. Why not. Stock also in the pic for reference.
Development cost...which is why things like this are not cheap
So the LED modules are complete...assembly is a snap...literally. These modules will be used in the doors and dash of the CL. Boards necessary for production are being...produced. Now we wait.
These were pretty hard to design...between them being very small and having to snap together and hold the board down and hold the plastic rods used in the car to distribute the light in a very specific position...yeah...a lot of different versions were made.
Fresh batch off the printer goo tray.
The ones going into my car will be custom black/gold. Why not. Stock also in the pic for reference.
Development cost...which is why things like this are not cheap
So the test batch for my car is ready...all black and golden...that nobody will ever see
The LED modules fit perfectly where they're supposed to sit. Still waiting for the boards that will go along with them...
New vs stock. While we're not adding 300 new LEDs, like a LED strip would, we are considerably upping the brightness compared to stock.
So yeah so far everything is in, in terms of parts except for the custom designed boards. All 3D parts are ready to go. Once the boards come, assembly can begin.
Ok a little detour from the ambient lighting project. Needed a break from 3D printing.
he "Perfume Generator" as WIS calls it, was always on my list of things to do....so here it is.
It now does what a perfume generator is supposed to do...when I tell it to do it. It's running on a LIN bus, which means it'll be one of the accessories my other upcoming project will be able to control. It also conveniently fits in the center console in the W216....so I think the install will be pretty straight forward.
Mercedes also offers an ionizer I could get my hands on but I am not sure it would be worth the trouble....we shall see.
So the ambient lighting project is coming along quite well. Here are some pics of the first system. This first one will go in my car. The majority of the the parts are finalized with a few exceptions. If you're interested in knowing more, hit the PM button.
LED module boards
Footwell/Glove Box/Center storage thing...Mercedes really used these all over. These LED modules can be snapped in place on the OEM lamp cover.
Power modules...believe it or not LED's can draw a lot of current so a couple of these will be used. These are also smart and will handle turning off the stock footwell lights when the system is up and running.
Ambient light sensor...when you're in automatic brightness mode. This needs to go on the dash somewhere. Mine is already built into the custom controller I made a while back
And for the brains of the whole operation....USB port is open for future firmware updates. This piece is not yet finalized...missing logos and other stuff.
And last but not least, the custom built app is getting some changes too, as well as adding some functionality. Firmware will also get a few updates
Next up making LED modules that will fit the W221...and we are good to go.
I wanted to add my voice to chorus of kudos here... I am in awe of your vision and skills.
A '12 CL63 P30 found it's way into my garage recently while I was hunting for an F10 and, while I don't have any super intense mod plans, I can certainly appreciate what you've done and accomplished. I've had other cars that I've modded extensively (tastefully) but I don't think I'll keep this one long enough for that bug to bite me again. Then again, who knows?
If I'm not mistaken, you are in the tri-state area so I hope to see your car in-person some day.
Stay safe and keep the projects going... you have a new follower.
I wanted to add my voice to chorus of kudos here... I am in awe of your vision and skills.
A '12 CL63 P30 found it's way into my garage recently while I was hunting for an F10 and, while I don't have any super intense mod plans, I can certainly appreciate what you've done and accomplished. I've had other cars that I've modded extensively (tastefully) but I don't think I'll keep this one long enough for that bug to bite me again. Then again, who knows?
If I'm not mistaken, you are in the tri-state area so I hope to see your car in-person some day.
Stay safe and keep the projects going... you have a new follower.
Thanks for the words of encouragement! Yes, in the tri-state so in person is a definite possibility once this situation we're in is resolved.
Here's another update vid on this LED project. Everything is complete including a brand new Android app. Works well, plug and play for the most part. Added some lights to the instrument cluster as well. Came out great if you ask me.
The system for the W221 is almost done. The only thing missing are the rear footwell lamps. Not sure if I should do a swap or stick on solution. Hmmm. Swap would mean losing entry/exit lighting when the car is off in the back. Stick on would require more effort and bottle caps.
Another project that's on the horizon is integrating the comand touchpad/knob from an AMG GT with the android unit and HUD controller. While I love the controller I made so far, I think it could be done better. Anyway, take a look at the vid...or not
So here's a quick preview guys before it goes up on the site and youtube. Everything works well:
Android side:
- use touchpad for mouse
- use knob to scroll etc
- use touchpad buttons to close/select/switch tasks
- use 2 finger gestures on the touchpad to play/pause/switch music tracks and go back to the home screen
OEM Comand side:
- knob works just like the stock knob....without detents obviously
HUD/heads up display side
- use knob to control the HUD - this is accomplished via BLE just like the original hud controller.
The only thing left to do is 3D print some brackets and reinstall everything - after the PCB boards get here that is. If anyone is interested in getting this done I can provide the MCU/software/3D brackets and directions. You're on your own for getting things to fit and cutting up the trim/original palm rest piece. Though I do have a template
You are legend. I do some similar things but none so in-depth so far as I am quite busy with my business. I am an engineer myself and wonder if you have similar training.
If you ever want to bounce some ideas back and forth or just beat out and want a second set of eyes to scroll over something so you have time to take a nap, shoot me a message, glad to offer my input/brain power (I won't call it "help" because it's quite obvious you don't need my help, nor anyone's for that matter.)
I am very impressed with your capabilities and your innovation. I notice that you changed out the original display unit for one of the aftermarket 10.25 inch Android units.
Would you mind sharing with us which brand and model number you used. There seems to be a pretty wide choice of brands and models on the market ??
Your car looks unbelievable but all I could do to be like you is change the headlights..lol
could I have the part number for the headlights
Haha I looked up the headlights but it seems like they changed the part numbers and branding. They were these as far as I recall: OSRAM XENARC 66140 COOL BLUE INTENSE.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
sign me up.
. If you want to know more details, shoot me a PM.
