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WK (and possibly others) LED lighted cupholders

116K views 806 replies 148 participants last post by  w6pea 
#1 · (Edited)
**** And we are live! http://jeep-core.com/

Okay guys, as promised, here are a few pics of how I made and installed my lighted LED cupholder rings. Had I known the response would have been so positive I would have documented things a little better. I think you'll get the gist of things though.

I'll start by saying that this isn't exactly easy to replicate unless you have access to a CNC. I build small form factor computers as a hobby, and I make frequent use of the CNC for those projects. I've only now started playing with it on other projects. It's small, but more than adequate for the work I typically do.

I took a few measurements and came up with a simple design in CAD. I converted the design for milling and pulled out some 5mm acrylic I had left over from a previous project.



I clamped it to the CNC and let her rip.



A few minutes later I was left with a small disk with a recessed pocket.



With the backing peeled...



I used Little Dot SMD LED Accent Lights. They are pretty cheap, and already have the resisters built in, along with substantially long lead wires. They fit perfectly in the smaller pocket I milled in the disk. In this pic you can also see I lightly sanded the surface of the acrylic disk. I did this to help diffuse the lighting a bit.



Although I didn't get a picture of the disk insert being made, it's simply a piece of 1mm PVC sheet. The tolerances are very tight, but the insert just presses in place. Once there, it's not ever going to fall out on it's own. In fact, I had tap on it a bit with a rubber mallet to get it seated.



A test lighting... and success!



I basically repeated the same process above for the second cupholder with a slightly larger ring, since they aren't the same size.

Now, in order to get them seated in the cup holder, I had to do a little trimming of the rubber. Using a very sharp x-acto knife, I just made the bottom openings a little taller. I really only needed to take a few mm out.





Lastly was the wiring. I tapped into the 12v switched auxiliary plug (left) on center console stack.)



As far as wire routing went, I just ran a wire to the left and right of where the rubber on the front of the cupholder 'snaps' into place. I didn't have any at the time, but I'll likely go back in and add a simple plug to disconnect the wiring should servicing of some kind be needed.

Overall I'm pretty happy with them, although I'm going to try and tone down the boldness of the green to match my instruments. I've ordered some white LED's and some colored filters to attempt this. I also ordered a simple PWM dimmer to play with. Either might get me the results I was looking for.

Now, some of you have expressed interest in me having a few of these fabbed up. I'd be happy to do that. I'd need to get some more materials and LED's. Just let me know! :D

**** Update! Check this post for the first color samples with a white LED and gel filter.

**** Update 2! Check this post for the second color samples with colored LED's.

**** Update 3! Check this thread for an informal poll on colors.

**** Update 4! Check this thread for information regarding the switch to RBG LED's with a controller.

**** Update 5! And we are live! http://jeep-core.com/
 
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#88 ·
Couple extra bucks would be fine with me for the ease of install!
 
#95 ·
craigbru said:
Nah, I'm not sure I'd feel right about taking donations. Maybe in a few weeks when I'm seeing LED rings in my sleep, I'll reconsider. I could add a 'Keep Craig sane beer fund' option, haha. :D
Then how about accepting donations to help offset the domain cost?
 
#97 ·
Do it this way
Cost of materials per unit
(Led, wires, plastic, whatever other magic you have)
Plus a little for labor
Plus shipping
And because your the only one that we know if making a decent set of these, a little for exclusivity...

Should be about $1.50 maybe $1.75 tops per customer by my calculations ;)

Haha, kidding
 
#99 ·
Def fair. Everything extricating confuses me.
 
#101 ·
If you still plan on expanding to sell more I'd be interested in a set of the factory colored ones, I love the idea and its a much more reasonable price than anything I've seen online :2thumbsup:
 
#102 ·
Am I one of the firsts?

After all, I was the first person to reply to this thread ;););)
 
#104 ·
Hey Craig,

How bright will these be? I take it they won't be dimable?
 
#105 ·
I would think if u tie them into the 4x4 low indicator its controlled by the dimmer I would say the led would function the same but i could be wrong. I belive I remember him saying he was working on a dimmer for his set but I could be wrong about all of it. Would be cool if they dim or as long as they arnt to bright
 
#110 ·
It looks like the original poster has a pre-2008 console. I believe, but am not positive, that the cupholders on the 2008 and up are quite different and not interchangeable with 2005-2007 cup holders.
 
#121 ·
I had my brother snap a couple pics of his 08 cup holder. Perhaps it will help.

*pic snip
Thanks man.

I'd be interested as long as it's not to much wire cutting
There shouldn't be any actual wire cutting. I'll send along what you need to connect.

*pic snip
Thanks, that's helpful. I still need accurate measurements. Preferably in mm. Sometimes I find that simply laying two toothpicks side by side in the bottom of the hole, and then marking, can be pretty accurate.

I may just have to offer 2 versions. With the later WK's, you'll see the side of the LED ring due to the cupholder configuration. Not sure it's a big deal, but just thought I'd point out the difference. They'll also have to utilize a single small hole in the bottom of the cupholder for routing the wiring. I'll work with someone on the install details when I'm ready.

Any updates? Just checkin in
x2 you said you did the color leds. Any pics of them?
I'm heading to the shop now to get the rest of the LED pics. Expect updates shortly!
 
#125 ·
Alright, here are the rest of the colors guys.

Red (It does appear more red in real life.)



Blue



Amber



And finally, cool white.



I did a little experimenting, and I think the simplest way to tone down the brightness on some of the white LED based options, is simply with a few small squares of masking tape over the LED. It's not exactly elegant, but it is virtually free. Any other alternative would be pricey. Also, they do dim somewhat with the factory lighting is dimmed, but not a lot.

One last thing, I know they changed the cupholder style on the 2008+, but did they change anything else? Like the dash lighting color?
 
#126 ·
craigbru said:
Alright, here are the rest of the colors guys.

Red (It does appear more red in real life.)

Blue

Amber

And finally, cool white.

I did a little experimenting, and I think the simplest way to tone down the brightness on some of the white LED based options, is simply with a few small squares of masking tape over the LED. It's not exactly elegant, but it is virtually free. Any other alternative would be pricey. Also, they do dim somewhat with the factory lighting is dimmed, but not a lot.

One last thing, I know they changed the cupholder style on the 2008+, but did they change anything else? Like the dash lighting color?
They look awesome!!! Can't wait till you start making and selling them!
 
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