Heater control lighting

[kasbatts]

Well sometimes there is an upside to things, as some of you may have read due to my windsheild install drama I have taken the dash pad out to get recovered, have also got the gauges out so am going to re veneer the gauge cluster surround as its a bit naff.
While doing all this I have found the corner of heater box is broken where a small bracket for the control cables is riveted on, so will fix this up with with a small folded aluminium bracket, Shouldn't be to much of a problem, will be nice to be able to close the cabin vents off properly.



I have also taken the heater controls out to repaint the surround, while doing this I think I have come up with a cunning plan to light the heater controls up with a LED ribbon strip.

I will drill a small series of holes here in the top part of the control panel



And then mount this LED ribbon



Here on the top to shine down through the holes



Could be a winner! What'd ya think?

 

[johanaxelson]

As long as it does not get too bright? But I agree that more light is needed there.

Just don't put strong green LEDs or something under the car

 

[kasbatts]

Yes I agree, not to bright, I was thinking I would start with 1mm holes, and off set the LED's away from the holes

 

[Arde]

I think yellow LEDs are period correct (although not used for automotive yet) but high intensity LEDs are a 90s thing.

I also think including your own hand or finger in pictures is fad started by DQ.

Are you planning to run the LEDs by the dimmer as good design principles require?

 

[kasbatts]

Tell you what, holding the iPad with one hand and pointing with the other leaves you with nothing to push the button to take the picture!
I kid you not, I had to take a couple of those by touching the screen button with my nose

As for the lights, hadn't thought about a dimmer, might give that some thought

 

[Arde]

I will resist the temptation to enumerate extremities and appendices one can use to push the button and just suggest there must be a timer app for the iPAD camera...

It would be nice for the dimmer to apply to any interior light. The clean way I used to do for 7 segment LED dimmers was to control the current through a transistor(s).

 

[Bwana]

Can everybody see the pictures? I just get the red x and a comment that I don't have permission (yes, I'm logged in)