NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT - Footwell lighting solutions VY/VZ

[Phreddy]

One of the developments going on in the background here at ASR has been a footwell lighting solution. Sounds fancier than it needs to, but then it's ended up as more than just a couple of footwell globes too....

Since the supply of miniature CCFLtubes has dried up (if you don't know what CCFL is, Google it...) I've started using strips of LEDs in footwells. This has worked out quite nicely - not quite as intense as the light from the tubes, but nicely distributed and definitely more robust that the thin glass tubes were. Initially of course, the installs of these have been simply wired into the courtesy lighting circuit, and have only been done in front footwells up until now.

Further development has allowed placement of a strip under each of the front seats also, to light up the rear footwells - this does require removal of the front seats to install properly (so that conduits can be routed correctly to avoid other wiring, mechanical components, etc.) and some additional wiring. In addition, a new accessory switch has been designed (to snap into the slots behind the power window switches in VY/Z) to "over-ride" the footwell lighting - making it activate even when the courtesy lighting has extinguished. (naturally a custom icon has also been engraved onto this button cap, and the switch is backlit in the same way as other factory switch buttons)

Now for the icing on the cake....

The lighting strips will naturally be offered in the usual colours (blue, red, white, etc...) but there's MORE. For the real interior lighting nuts, there will also be a kit released with strips of FULL COLOUR LEDs - accompanied with a control box - to allow the lighting to change colours continually - or select a colour you like and hold it there - select between a patterned or random colour change, between slow blend or quick switch, or a fast/slow speed setting. All the LEDs are driven from the one box, so the colour shift is synchronous across all the strips. This of course can also be accompanied by the override switch described above.

Enquiries welcome!

[the_trademarc]

Greg that sounds great. Got any pics of it?
It's Henry, by the way, we had a chat about doing my Dash when you were last in, but we put it off till your next trip.

If you got some pics and costs on it, please shoot me an e-mail or a PM, cuz I'd love to add to this to the Dash conversion I'm waiting on.

Thanks mate,
H

[danja]

It's becoming more and more obvious why you've been quiet around here lately, someone has been busy

I'd be pretty interested in a kit in white, but some pictures are a must first. I also have a couple of questions:

1) Would a front + rear kit be possible without the override switch (so all lights would operate on the same cycle, linked to the interior lighting.

2) Could you incorporate a dimmer into the system, to adjust the intensity of the lights to individual preferences. This wouldn't necessarily need to be easily accessible, perhaps a switch/knob on the unit itself, but would be a great feature for people like me who don't like overly bright lights in the car.

3) Is the system wired such that if the dome light is turned on manually, the footwell lights turn on/off also?

P.S. Have you been able to get an exact match for the paint on the black switches? My AUX button is a different shade of black to the rest of the interior and bugs me a bit

[Zeussy]

Finally Phreddy!!

Yes, I'm keen on these, and I like the sound of the colour changing version!

Still waiting on that email we talked about... ehh, me and about 1000 others, lol...

[BANKS]

i swear you make shit just for me! lol

this is amazing, your gonna be busy when you do my car!

As usual heres some quesionsL

1. Where does the control box mount?

2. Are you able to put strips under the doors, so when you open the doors the light shines down onto the road? (kinda like neons but classier)

3. Are you able to replace the overhead light with LED's?

4. What are the options for utes?

5. how much?!?

I'm with danja on the dimming switch aswell

[vy_storm]

Damn Greg, you're one step ahead of me. After my efforts on the CCFL's in the tray I was going to snap up a few of what you can still get for the footwellls. I will definitely be interested in grabbing a kit off you, even when you are down this way next.

[PaulSV6]

This is awesome! Greg i can remember u talking to me about this when i was last over at your place.
Im definitely interested in getting this done

[Torquative]

I saw the prototype to this a few nights ago and have to say it looks very much stock and awesome.

Greg didnt have the changing colour bit installed, but just the blue led look was enough to give me an idea of what to expect.

Needless to say I'll be having it installed into my car when its available

[Marlon1]

Sounds mad mate. Especially with the little courtesy light trick.

[rch-13z]

Matt assuming this is NOT available for VT/VX?

Currently running Greg's tube up front & think it would match nicely for the back...

[Torquative]

still in pre-prooduction "prototype" stage atm so I dont know, but Greg did mention he's planning on offering more things for VT/VX so I'd say theres a possibility, especially when lighting is pretty universal across the models.

[Haydz]

I like the sounds of this.

obviously the led strips can be modified to fit older cars. they just wont include the specialised buttons.

ive gotta set out a color scheme for the new car. but when your ready. im sure i will be

[rch-13z]

still in pre-prooduction "prototype" stage atm so I dont know, but Greg did mention he's planning on offering more things for VT/VX so I'd say theres a possibility, especially when lighting is pretty universal across the models.

Sweet.

Greg knows I am more than willing to be his guinea pig and sit in his lounge for a couple of hours lol..

[Phreddy]

Bloody! What a response!!

Guys, I really should mention that the light strips themselves can bi installed on pretty much any model - it's the override switch that's specifically VY/Z at the moment. (working on getting a pic of that....)

To address a couple of your Qs Banks... The box can mount pretty much anywhere I guess, although it would make sense to me to hide it insode the console bin or summink. I can't see any reason why the strips couldn't be mounted along the bottom of the doors, although it will add a little wiring complexity and clearance might be an issue... (I could investigate making the strips in a "super low profile" version....) I am working on a solution for the overhead light which works better than just replacing it with one of those bodgey LED festoons (they work in some applications, but not very well in that one...), and how much is a little undecided as yet. Interest seems strong though, the problem for me right now is cash flow... (lots of components to buy before I can get a single unit built...)

Re the dimming question... Yes it could be done - although I haven't been asked to yet... Yes, simply a switch or knob on the control box. Danja - if you're after just white strips (no colour changing), then there's no control box required anyway. A switch could be placed inside the console or something though, to select between full/half brightness or whatever...

Cheerz!

[danja]

Speaking for myself, ideally the dimmer would be a small switch or even jumper block mounted on the light strip itself.

I wouldn't be fiddling with it constantly, I'd choose my ideal light level at install time, then leave it. The idea only came to me because I know some folks love it loud and proud, whereas I'm more of a "mood lighting" guy

To that end, if the switch was a pain to get at, that's no drama for me. The less wires running around the better from my perspective, so if the switch was integrated with the unit it would be a win in my book.

[Torquative]

yeh see for me I would prefer to have the control out of the way somewhere, just dont know where. I use the center console quite a bit, apart from the CDs that are there (for when i forget the ipod) I use the space to run 12v power to phone or gps or something, throw in the wallet or throw in a hand held UHF.

Perhaps the drop down area under the radio is a thought, although i dont know how big the controls will be.

[Zeussy]

Maybe the panel under the steering wheel? flip it down to adjust, leave it set then away you go??

I tend to use the pocket under the stereo for my wallet, because the centres full of crap, lol... and like Matt, I source my power from there too, so it gets a little crampt in there,
But where ever it gets put, im sure i'll learn to live with it - so to speak? its not like you would need it every day,

[-scyth-]

Hey Greg, im keen on this (as we've spoken before)

about that dimmer switch... is it possible to hook it up in conjunction with the headlight dimmer switch? but instead just alter the wiring or install a relay or something to the switch so the dash would not dim, just your lights? Makes everything look stock & is one button/switch less to install.

just a thought.

[troytroy2]

I'd be interested in some Blue led lighting strips for the rear footwells - nothing fancy (no control box), just the strips to match the front ones..... I've been needing an excuse to visit west Sydney (to also get my dead dash "mode switch" leds looked at)

Well done Phreddy! always thinkin'

[impulsive]

As i have recently discovered by installing the Led's in the front footwells, its a little more involved then originally thought, couple of questions if someone doesnt mind assisting me..

1) What is the best way to 'tap' into the wiring under the dashboard
2) What is the best way to join the wiring together
3) Best place to run the wiring to neaten it up
4) Should i be using shrink tubing to keep the wiring together?

Currently i have the wiring joined by connectors i bought from supercrap, these seem to come apart very easily. I also have the wiring wrapped up around everything to get it out of the road. Although i believe i have a bad earth as the lights have gone rather dull.

cheers guys

[Junny]

after i get normal blue ones u make a new one. . . .

[Phreddy]

Will send u a PM Jun - there's always options Mate...

[Junny]

well... i sent you a pm as well... haha

[Zeussy]

Any more developement on these yet Phreddy/Matt???!!!

I'm guessing Phreddy would be pretty caught up in the whole VT/X stuff still?

[VesperZ]

Hey Greg,
Definitely interested in this. Let me know when you have stock. Cheers mate