Interior "Ambient" Lighting KIt

[tmpedge2010]

Hello,

 

I am new to the forum. I recently purchased an Edge SEL with Sync and Standard 6 CD changer. I thought the veichle was pretty dark at night (can't see the cupholders) so I purchased the Ford Interior "Ambient" Lighting Kit. I am still waiting to receive the kit, due in next week, but I want to install it myself. Has anyone on the Forum installed one of these kits? If so are there any trouble spots / difficulties that I should be made aware of?

 

Here is s link to the kit I purchased from Ford:http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/GfaWeb/catalog.do?prodInfo=Edge~2010~8L8Z_13E700_AA.

 

 

Regards, tmpedge2010

[livinonthedge]

Hello,

 

I am new to the forum. I recently purchased an Edge SEL with Sync and Standard 6 CD changer. I thought the veichle was pretty dark at night (can't see the cupholders) so I purchased the Ford Interior "Ambient" Lighting Kit. I am still waiting to receive the kit, due in next week, but I want to install it myself. Has anyone on the Forum installed one of these kits? If so are there any trouble spots / difficulties that I should be made aware of?

 

Here is s link to the kit I purchased from Ford:http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/GfaWeb/catalog.do?prodInfo=Edge~2010~8L8Z_13E700_AA.

 

 

Regards, tmpedge2010

 

 

Holy highway robbery. 270 dollars?? Please say it aint so.

 

Anyway this should be a breeze to install I dont see it being more than a couple wires. I am doing the same thing to my Edge and I ordered my LED's and resistors with wiring of 12 bux.

 

When you get it post pics and I can try to offer you some install help.

 

Enjoy and welcome to the forum man.

[tmpedge2010]

Holy highway robbery. 270 dollars?? Please say it aint so.

 

Anyway this should be a breeze to install I dont see it being more than a couple wires. I am doing the same thing to my Edge and I ordered my LED's and resistors with wiring of 12 bux.

 

When you get it post pics and I can try to offer you some install help.

 

Enjoy and welcome to the forum man.

 

Thanks for the response; will do. I am waiting for the Edge to come back from having hail storm damage repaired. I owned it only 5 weeks when that happened. Believe it or not at $270.00 (I did a little better through a friend) these kits are on backorder! The Escape Limited the insurance company gave me as a loaner has ambient lighting so I have had a chance to see and use the accessory first hand. It is defintiely a much less complex than I was imagining. With your apparent knowledge in electronics your strategy seems the far better way to go. I can't see myself using more than one or two of the available colors too. I will send images of the kit contents when I finally recieve it.

[livinonthedge]

Thanks for the response; will do. I am waiting for the Edge to come back from having hail storm damage repaired. I owned it only 5 weeks when that happened. Believe it or not at $270.00 (I did a little better through a friend) these kits are on backorder! The Escape Limited the insurance company gave me as a loaner has ambient lighting so I have had a chance to see and use the accessory first hand. It is defintiely a much less complex than I was imagining. With your apparent knowledge in electronics your strategy seems the far better way to go. I can't see myself using more than one or two of the available colors too. I will send images of the kit contents when I finally recieve it.

 

 

Good deal. Anything I can do to help.

[sylynce]

Good deal. Anything I can do to help.

 

livinonthedge- can you post on how you did the install, what pieces/ parts you used, and a stepwise "how to"

with pics? How did it turn out? Did you go with a single colour, or a multi-colour with controller?

 

Thanks!

[sylynce]

In an effort to jump the gun, and because parts are cheap, I ordered 2x SMD LED light bars (15 LEDs each) for the front foot wells (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180534643458&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3361wt_902) and some longer ones for under the 2 front seats (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150471753040&_trksid=p2761.l1259#ht_3190wt_902), as well as a lighted rocker switch.

 

My questions are- 1) do I need to add an in-line fuse if I am going to tap off the fuse box; 2) can I run all of these off a single fuse, or should I split them up and connect prior to the switch; 3) any resistors needed?

 

Thanks everyone. These parts are coming from HK, so I have about a week to figure this out...

[akirby]

1) do I need to add an in-line fuse if I am going to tap off the fuse box; 2) can I run all of these off a single fuse, or should I split them up and connect prior to the switch; 3) any resistors needed?

 

1 - depends on where you tap in. If you tap in before the fuse, yes. If you tap in after the fuse, no, because the original fuse will still protect the circuit. OTOH - it certainly won't hurt to add another one either way. I'd get one of the fuse tap kits that use an existing fuse - no need to tap into existing wires.

 

2 - single fuse should be fine - just make sure you're the total amperage of the lights doesn't exceed the fuse rating.

 

3 - no. that's only when you have a sensor involved (to tell you the lights are not working)

[sylynce]

Thanks akirby! I will tap directly into the fuse box, with one of the fuse tap-ins. Using the rocker switch should allow me greater flexibility in what fuse I tap into.

Good to know no additional resistors etc are needed! What a hassle that would have been (as compared to just connecting these and rooting around under the seats...)

Thanks for your support! Will post pics when they finally get in, get set up!

[livinonthedge]

I havent had time to do the foot wells and rear seats but my center console cup holders are done. I will take a couple pictures tonight.

[sylynce]

Excellent- If you can post pictures, and product info (and any tricks) I would be most grateful! Once I get my parts in, I will be tackling this one!

[sylynce]

Excellent- If you can post pictures, and product info (and any tricks) I would be most grateful! Once I get my parts in, I will be tackling this one!

[livinonthedge]

Here are 2 quick pics from the phone since I'm on break from class. Better pictures later. It looks kinda weird in these pics....

 

 

[sylynce]

Doesn't look weird- looks great! Better than not having lights. How did you install? Method to punch through the holder material? Where did you tie in... the questions never end! I have ordered the strips and singles, and want to put some 3mm lights (maybe 2- what is your take?) in there. Any help greatly appreciated!

[livinonthedge]

Doesn't look weird- looks great! Better than not having lights. How did you install? Method to punch through the holder material? Where did you tie in... the questions never end! I have ordered the strips and singles, and want to put some 3mm lights (maybe 2- what is your take?) in there. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

I used flat topped 5mm wide angle LED's. They are clear when off and orange light. I just used a 4mm drill bit to make my two holes, then used a small file to open up the hole just a tiny bit more and the LEDs are nice and snug. Each LED has a resistor or it to knock the voltage down to a safe level for them, 470 ohm I believe. Mine are tied into the rest of the interior lights for now, I actually ran a line from the front dome lights. I am working on a switch that will let me use, both the leds, and the factory lights, just the factory lights, or just the led's when the doors open. We will see how that comes out. For my foot wells I am working on two strips of 20 LED's each. I just ordered some pc board strips in 18" lengths to make it happen. I will keep you posted.