Interior LED lights upgrade with pictures.

[moynesey]

Hi Red Arrow

I have just ordered tow different types of SM board with adaptors for the front and rear courtesy lights but you mentioned that you have done the foot well lights, what LED's/boards did you use to convert the E1 bulbs?

Great info thread.

[FlyingVolvo]

So I finally got around to installing the new lights. I replaced the 4 courtesy lights with 12-LED SMD boards and the 1 cargo area light with a 24-LED SMD board. The difference is INCREDIBLE. I like that it is pure white light, and when I need to turn them on to see something... I can actually see something! They also don't heat up to 500 degrees.

For the front courtesy lights, I used double-stick tape to secure them to this little metal push-tab that is right above the light bulb holder.

For the rear passenger lights, the installation is a bit more difficult. I'm a stickler about having everything perfect and I didn't want to just let them dangle around in there at funny angles. I removed the clip which holds the lights into place (the lights stay up there just fine without it...) and then placed the boards up against the lens. I used a little duct tape as insulation against the back of the board: You MUST do this! First time I got a spark when I accidentally bumped the bulb holder and shorted the whole system. Blew the fuse! Then I just used some Goop to glue the board in place. The result is fantastic.

They really give the car a completely new look at night, without looking like a total ricer. I'm very happy with this cheap, simple mod!

I'll try and get pictures soon.

[neil wilton]

awsome write up good photos to ,thanks for ur time for doin this ,i did mine to but i used led flat bord type from my local repco dealer and it looks awsome,

[viper69]

So I finally got around to installing the new lights. I replaced the 4 courtesy lights with 12-LED SMD boards and the 1 cargo area light with a 24-LED SMD board. The difference is INCREDIBLE. I like that it is pure white light, and when I need to turn them on to see something... I can actually see something! They also don't heat up to 500 degrees.

For the front courtesy lights, I used double-stick tape to secure them to this little metal push-tab that is right above the light bulb holder.

For the rear passenger lights, the installation is a bit more difficult. I'm a stickler about having everything perfect and I didn't want to just let them dangle around in there at funny angles. I removed the clip which holds the lights into place (the lights stay up there just fine without it...) and then placed the boards up against the lens. I used a little duct tape as insulation against the back of the board: You MUST do this! First time I got a spark when I accidentally bumped the bulb holder and shorted the whole system. Blew the fuse! Then I just used some Goop to glue the board in place. The result is fantastic.

They really give the car a completely new look at night, without looking like a total ricer. I'm very happy with this cheap, simple mod!

I'll try and get pictures soon.

Pictures would really, really help, for all of it really.

Second, a complete spec and source (where bought etc, type etc etc) list of the boards you purchased would be helpful as well.

Curious, are you SURE it's pure white light, and not some bit of blue-ish tint to them? Everyone's spectral sensitivity is different.

This is highly encouraging for someone like me who rarely ventures into electricity. I look forward to the pics when you have the time. Esp. inside where the boards actually are mounted/how they are mounted etc etc

[FlyingVolvo]

I will get pics as soon as possible, maybe tonight when it's dark!

The light is definitley white from the bulb, however, to some it may appear *slightly* bluish as it reflect on windows and seats, etc. I'm pretty good at telling the difference, as I'm one of those people who hates blue HID headlights. My HIDs are 4300K and pure white. None of that blue tint junk.

I hope my 8MP phone camera can capture the light well enough. If anything though, I'll certainly get some pics of the install.

One funny thing in my 2000 V70XC (which I'll include again in any write-up): The front courtesy lamps (over driver/front pass) work just fine with the adapters provided. The REAR courtesy lamps are polarized differently and all you have to do it cut and swap the polarity with some splices. Very simple stuff!

As for the bulbs, this is what I type in eBay: "white led smd board ba9s" and nearly all of the results will work. I will warn you though, for the 4 courtesy light on top (excluding trunk) only the smaller 12-LED boards will fit. Anything bigger and you might have trouble working it in properly.

Also, when you find an item that you think will work, just look into the description/pictures and make sure it comes with the adapters which make life soooo easy.

This is the exact one I bought from exact same seller: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-SMD-W ... 0647272588

Free shipping was still quick! I'd recommend just buying one for less than $5 and seeing if you like it.

[moynesey]

HI all

I have fitted all the interior lights in my S70R with LED SMD boards, I put 12 LED boards in the front lights and found a set of 9 LED boards which fit near perfectly in the rear grab handle lights (these were the better quality). The light inside is great and gives the interior a much more modern look!

When fitting with the bulb adaptors the conversion is 5 minute job, i glued the front boards to the lens and these ones are wired such that the red adaptor wire goes to the red on the LED board and black to black.

The rears are as previously stated reversed, so connect the red adaptor wire to the black board wire and and black to red! I used the sticking pad in the rear of the boards to hold them in place, peeled it off and turned it 90 degrees so it stuck across the board and onto the fitting sides. Job done.

The rear ones are http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

The front ones are http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

I have made my own LED boards to fit in the foot well lights after not being able to find a kit small enough, used the spare T10 bulb adaptors which were spare from the above kits!!

Waiting for the LED number plate lights to arrive so we will see what they are like.

[phils94850]

Just added the l.e.d. lights in my 96 850R and love it . The pic really doesnt give it justice. I have very dark tinted windows, Its a huge difference over the factory bulbs. All my doors closed, and with the tinted windows, with the lights "on" i can easily see inside the car now.

Props to Red Arrow for this upgrade.

[rodolfoslzr]

has any body wired the wagons tailgate light to turn on when any door opens or when you unlock the doors. i have led light in my wagon but i think it would look way brighter and nicer if all my light would go on in my car. im also trying to figure out how to install a led light in the door handles so when i hit my unlock button on my keyless remote those light on my handles will go on, i think it would look cool and updated like how the new bmw have them. if you mite be able to help me email me at [email protected]

here is a update on my wagon tell me what you think

[zhenya]

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but this winter I wanted a red LED in the passenger courtesy light for my navigator for our Winter Rally Series. I had great luck with bulbs I got from www.superbrightleds.com/. I ended up buying a selection of BA9S bulbs because they were cheap (many only $1) and I wasn't exactly sure which one would work the best. For the red LED I ended up needing one of their super bright BA9s-xHP6 which was $5, but the $1 BA9S-W-120-12V in white was easily as bright as the standard bulb. Personally, I ended up going back to the stock lamp when I was done with the series because I prefer the warmth of the stock lights - but these would be workable, direct fit replacements for anyone looking. Some bulbs do come in a warm white that might be ok for me too.

They carry many different types of automotive replacement bulbs and shipping was fast and reasonable.

[vjaneczko]

here is a update on my wagon tell me what you think

Looks real good - I'm sure the pics don't do it justice.

Did you write-up what it took to get the lights setup? Share with the rest of the class!