pumpkinman

went online on ebay and searched for cup holder lights and came upon this


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-C...ssoriesQ5fGear



ok nvm just read its the whole cup holder........

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

I've got an M5... so I'm sure it's pretty close... What do I gotta do about the Ebrake? Take off the handle?

transaman98

iTrader: (16)

it shouldnt have to come off. all you should need to take off would be the top of the center console. Unless there is something very different about the v6 cars but I dont think so...

FL Junkie

iTrader: (23)

wired it up today. how it looks in my car....
might be a bit ricey for some. i like it.

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

How many bulbs did you use? Just one?

FL Junkie

iTrader: (23)

two...one in the cupholder, one in the cubby hole.

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

Oh okay, I was just referring to inside the cupholder. Can you put a bottle of water, or any clear bottle in there, to see how well it lights it up? Just want an idea if one LED will work or if more would be better...
Where'd you buy your LED from?

FL Junkie

iTrader: (23)

i just used one yeah...and mounted it in the back of the cupholder so it wouldnt be shining up in my face. it seems to be bright enough.
the leds i bought on ebay. you can get a bunch of them for dirt cheap with resistors.

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

Can you link me?
Also, I've never had to wire any LEDs with resistors... any help with that?

FL Junkie

iTrader: (23)

i believe these are the same as what i bought. they come with the resistors you need to run it on 12v in your car. only problem is the guy is in hong kong. so it takes a week or 2 to get through customs. you could find a us seller. or you can go to radio shack and pay 2-5$ for one led.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-25-X-5mm-...d=p3286.c0.m14

as far as wiring goes a google search will tell you all you want to know. its really easy.

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

So what happens if you don't wire in a resistor? What power source are yours running off of? Cig lighter or ash tray light?

FL Junkie

iTrader: (23)

the ashtray light. if you dont wire in the resistor it will fry the led. these leds are made to run on around 3.5 volts and forward current of about 20mA. the supplied voltage is 12v. so the resistor brings down the current(amperage) so it can work without getting too hot.

edit: i meant, it is current actually. the resistor limits the amount of current going through the led. because as voltage increases, current increases.

Super-Bat

iTrader: (38)

Makes sense. Thanks.

Alright I've got a question for you electrical guys...
Here's my situation... try and picture this...
The halo ring in my fog lights are wired to a switch and powered by my ash tray light. The switch when on, allows the halos to be on when the lights are on. I put in the switch so I could drive without the halos on all the time.
Now, I figure, since I hardly drive with the halos on, I could use this same power source (ash tray light) to power the 1-2 LEDs I'd be installing in my cupholder. Would I be able to wire the LEDs into the ash tray light a little before the switch for my halos? Like, tap into the power source before the switch. The switch should still be functional right? Considering there'd still be enough power going to the switch/halos since the cupholder LEDs hardly take any power at all...

Elderado

iTrader: (1)

looks nice