Ok. So Teddy and I were trying to figure out a way to get a consistent illumination for the A/C part of the center console. The current issue with the LEDs is that no light is getting to the center knob.
Earlier in the day, I stopped by Fry's and picked up some 4" Blue Cold Cathodes with the hope that perhaps they might be the solution to the problem.
If you (very carefully) shave one cube-type endcap (of the cold cathode), you can "thread" it inbetween the center knob assembly and the actual console. I realize this is probably hard to understand without step-by-step pics, but I'll try to get them soon.

The result pretty much speaks for itself. Great thinking Teddy!!! :D


http://www.thescionlab.com/images/mods/AC_Cathode_00.jpg
http://www.thescionlab.com/images/mods/AC_Cathode_01.jpg
http://www.mattguillory.com/my_xB/Cold_Cathode_Mod_01.jpg
http://www.mattguillory.com/my_xB/Cold_Cathode_Mod_02.jpg


Peace,
m@

that looks sooo cool. gj man :o

I dig the diamond matt! How did you get so much blue? It looks like it's even coming down from the roof!!!! Looks awesome....other than the mods on the dash (which look really good), where else are your lights coming from?

Thanks guys.

DibujoB, In addition to the factory light kit, I have 12" LED "running" lights mounted on the diamond plate. (Both sides front seats and backseats). The light coming from "above" is actually a rearview mirror with blue LEDs encased along the bottom.

I actually forgot to mention the other mod. Teddy thought it would be cool to place an LED in the bottom of that storage cup next to the glove compartment. See the water bottle? There's a hole drilled in the bottom of the cup for an LED. The bottle is illuminated from the bottom with a blue LED.

Peace,
m@

cool..thanks!

I noticed the storage cup, it looks awesome. You guys did good.

gj M@ !! I still have an extra 4" cold cathode, maybe I'll do the same thing you did instead of putting LEDs...I still have to go to radio shack today tho to buy some LEDs just in case :)

great work....can't wait to see the step by step pics for some of us who work better with pictures rather than written instructions..

oh ____, that mod is sooo sweat. I'm still trying to find away to really illuminate the entire cabin, not just the underdash/seats section and I don't want to do that giant bars on the roof mod. is your mirror mod bought aftermarket with the led's already in it or did you put the led inside the stock mirror?

WHOA!! that mod is pretty sweet guys. Great Job!! Maybe I'll slap wun on my camo xb with green LEDs.. we'll see

is your mirror mod bought aftermarket with the led's already in it or did you put the led inside the stock mirror?

It's just an aftermarket mirror with LEDs in the bottom.


Peace,
m@

WHOA!! that mod is pretty sweet guys. Great Job!! Maybe I'll slap wun on my camo xb with green LEDs.. we'll see

I'm rockin the camo xB with green LED's too! For xmas, the fiance bought me one of those keychain LED's that are super bright in the same green to match my car!

I realize this is probably hard to understand without step-by-step pics, but I'll try to get them soon.
:?: When?... :?:

your pics look cool but it would look even better if you change the color of the radio display to blue, you do know how to do that right? if not read up on it you can do it i did it to the one i test drove. that way everything is blue and there won't be this ugly amber taking away from the hard work you did. just my opinion though

your pics look cool but it would look even better if you change the color of the radio display to blue, you do know how to do that right? if not read up on it you can do it i did it to the one i test drove. that way everything is blue and there won't be this ugly amber taking away from the hard work you did. just my opinion though
You can only change colors on the 6-disc player :wink:

ahhh, that is why, i am sooooo glad i ordered the 6 disc changer then, also thank you for correcting me , i am not a scion guru(YET)

your pics look cool but it would look even better if you change the color of the radio display to blue, you do know how to do that right? if not read up on it you can do it i did it to the one i test drove. that way everything is blue and there won't be this ugly amber taking away from the hard work you did. just my opinion though
You can only change colors on the 6-disc player :wink:

And even then, it's just the display that changes color. Yes, it's cool but it would be so much better if *all* lights on the face could be blue.


BTW... I'll be taking the step by step pics later today.


Peace,
m@

OOh I am gonna do that in all Orange....


Doc

Looking good opr8r, and teh diamond plates reflect the light so perfectly!

How-to pics! Must...have....how-to pics!!! :lol: No hurry though... :P

hehe But seriously, that's an awesome job, dude! I love it!


Oh and uh...hurry up the pics huh? :wink:

Updated 01.12.04

Check the top for DIY shots.

Peace,
m@

Updated 01.12.04

Check the top for DIY shots.

Peace,
m@

Rock on! Again, awesome job, dude!

Great work Matt,

How is the color dash doing? Do you need me to custom any other panel for your xB. It is nice to meet you and Ted down here in LA. Take care!

George

question, what did you do with the stock light back there, and did you hook it where the stock light is so it will be controlled by the dimmer, if not where did you tie it into?

is it too bright compared to the stock lights and dash?

2nd question, I notice in your picture because the tube is only 4" the outer edges of the vent controls on the right and left are dimmer, is this the case, and if so do you think a 6" tube could fit?

question, what did you do with the stock light back there, and did you hook it where the stock light is so it will be controlled by the dimmer, if not where did you tie it into?

is it too bright compared to the stock lights and dash?

I removed the stock bulbs. It's getting it's power from the 12v source wires that run from the battery through the firewall. Even though the cold cathode is really bright, I found that the LEDs I used to have were brighter. The only problem with the LEDs was that it wasn't an omni-directional light dispersement. That's why the cold cathode works much better for this situation.

And to answer your 2nd question... I made a typo at the top of the page. The cold cathode used to light the climate control area is actually a 6" with one end shaved so that it could be easily threaded.

Peace,
m@

Even though the cold cathode is really bright, I found that the LEDs I used to have were brighter. The only problem with the LEDs was that it wasn't an omni-directional light dispersement.
You should have gone out to buy a diffusion gel sheet...That makes the light that hits the gel spread out making it look like the gel is one big light and it's only 6 bucks :wink: