DIY: Ambient lighting in door handles

[PokeyD16Z]

Originally Posted by NoiseGoth

Great! Thanks for the shots and detailed DIY. I notice you also have the courtesy illumination installed. I'll be installing those in a week or so, and I'm considering doing this handle mod as well. If I get really ambitious, I'll try to route them to the same circuit as the overhead cabin lights. But given what I know of how much work that might be, I'll probably keep it simple.

I'm sure you're gonna start trying to wire it to the overhead lights and realize that its not gonna happen, especially when you start trying to wire four doors seperately (or two, whatever you have). The wiring part gets to be a pain in the ass if you don't keep to just the door (I thought about wiring it to the Honda ambient light switch, but it would've been way too much work with small benefits only)

[NoiseGoth]

You're probably right. I tend to get ahead of myself sometimes.

I have a question about the Honda courtesy lights, if you don't mind giving me an opinion. How often do you turn them off? I'm thinking of wiring them without the switch, so that they are always on when the headlight are on. I don't like how the switch looks, and I don't want to lose the pocket where the switch is installed.

Anyway, just curious how you like them and whether or not you ever turn them off.

Thanks!

[Streethonda06]

NICE.... NIGHT PICTURES!!!!!

[Civic4u]

Originally Posted by PokeyD16Z

So, I decided to use the dremel to grind down the LEDs in front to fix the beam pattern.
Attachment 2591
Attachment 2592

Very Nice, picture worth a thousand words. Curious, have you ever thought to make it glow outside and inside the handle bar?

[PokeyD16Z]

Originally Posted by NoiseGoth

You're probably right. I tend to get ahead of myself sometimes.

I have a question about the Honda courtesy lights, if you don't mind giving me an opinion. How often do you turn them off? I'm thinking of wiring them without the switch, so that they are always on when the headlight are on. I don't like how the switch looks, and I don't want to lose the pocket where the switch is installed.

Anyway, just curious how you like them and whether or not you ever turn them off.

Thanks!

I was hesitant about losing the pocket, too...and I was thinking the same thing as you. But, I put the switch in and it honestly doesn't look out of place...color matches, intensity matches, etc. But, to tell you the truth, I never turn them off...except when I wanted to see the output of the ambient lights in the handles. By the way, I love the Honda courtesty lights.

[PokeyD16Z]

Originally Posted by Streethonda06

NICE.... NIGHT PICTURES!!!!!

ugh, i would if i could...the camera i have isn't good enough to do night pics...it'll just give a black picture. I wish I could take one at night (maybe I'll have to borrow a cam or something)...it looks fantastic. By the way, I took some felt and punched out holes then attached each of the circles that I punched out on top of the shaved down LEDs. It gives it more of an ambient glow now. I chose felt because it let the light come through slightly (compared to, say, electrical tape or even model paint), so i have full light through the sides (there is about 1/8" on each side) and an ambient glow from the top of the LED. I may put an LED in the center console (and just paint over the top half and half of the sides, so it only gives light to the lower half) and also one in the coin pocket (but paint over the whole top and half of the side). We'll see.

[PokeyD16Z]

Originally Posted by Civic4u

Very Nice, picture worth a thousand words. Curious, have you ever thought to make it glow outside and inside the handle bar?

Not sure I understand completely...wanna explain a little more about the "glow outside and inside the handle bar"?

[JC06NHBPSI]

This thread made me think of this picture.

[Civic4u]

Here my setup! Thanks

[CivicWithNav]

nice work ya'll

[PokeyD16Z]

sweet, you got it to work. I noticed the light at the bottom of your door panel...how does that look with the door closed?

[Civic4u]

Originally Posted by PokeyD16Z

sweet, you got it to work. I noticed the light at the bottom of your door panel...how does that look with the door closed?

I didn't know what to expect when I install on the door panel. The first reason was for driver to recognized the door is open when you exit the curb. You know how blind a driver could get around here . Second, the light would shine on the ground so you don't accident step on something.

When the door close, you will see a lumination. Right between the crack of the door straight-up half way or knee high.

[PokeyD16Z]

There's a spot on the lower part of the panel that in other countries (I know Brazil for sure) has a light to shine on the ground...I'm looking to see if I can source that part and then wire it to go on when the doors open only.

[yanyan]

aren't those called puddle lights or something? my old 91 accord had those.

[rmfa]

Originally Posted by yanyan

aren't those called puddle lights or something? my old 91 accord had those.

Courtesy lights, maybe? :)

[hp98173]

I got my door handles,front speakers and my cup holder wired up with blue LED's, i will have pics soon, just gotta get a camera to take them. all i have currently is one of the cup holder during the day, it doesnt do it justice tho.

[Cliflyri]

Man, you guys can find a way to put lights anywhere.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Civic4u

Here my setup! Thanks

Your interior light is really great. I attempted to do this last week but I found out that the LED works only when the car is on. This would not be noticed during the day. I wanted to install LEDs inside the door handles that can be turned on and off with the dashboard light. Is there a way to do it?

[Civic4u]

My method is meant to run with engine is running...it turn off when I exit the car. It tap or T-connect to the illuminate door dash.Yes there a way you could do it. It a bit more work than just remove the door panel. Someone here done it. I have to get back with you on it later. Tried to remember it.

[Civic4u]

Originally Posted by Civic4u

My method is meant to run with engine is running...it turn off when I exit the car. It tap or T-connect to the illuminate door switch dash.Yes there a way you could do it. It a bit more work than just remove the door panel. Someone here done it. I have to get back with you on it later. Tried to remember it.