Alexb

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys I have a question about rigging up some A/C vent lights like the ones in this picture:

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...7&d=1109081443

Has anyone done anything like this?
I want to wire it to a switch, but the ones in this picture there are no wires to the vents, so how did they get them in there?

Advice? help?
I would also like to see more pics if anyone has a set up like this because not sure if I like enough to spend the time and money on it just yet.

Mazurfer

Lights don't appear or light out of thin air, so he obviously removed the vent covers, installed the sockets, or LED boards, or whatever..........drilled a hole in the vents somewhere and ran the wires through. If I was to do it, that's what I would do and wire over to the blank switch panel position and install a switch. Did you not see the mass of wires he had down by the shifter in that pic? Was there no information in that thread at all?

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

no, none about those lights, he was just talking about the switches that he used. I would ask him, but his last post was in 07....

anyway, I want to avoid drilling... esp into the a/c vents..

Mazurfer

Might be hard not to do so. If one could fish the wires all the way down to the floor vents, then you could bring them out there and under the carpet, but I wouldn't recommend trying it.

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

why wouldn't you recommend it?

Mazurfer

Would be a bitch.
Might interfere with flap inside the vents that re-direct the airflow depending on what you select? Probably wouldn't effect it much. but you could jam that flap........and then it would suck.

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

ya I see what you are saying. I might look around a bit see how hard it would be to drill or if there are any other methods.

thanks for the help.

04RX8man

yeah moving down through the vents like Mazurfer said would work but b a beyotch I just say drill it won't hurt much as long as u dont drilla crazy big *******....the only way to have light is a power and a ground (and a load which would b the light) with out those it WILL NOT WORK (unless batter operated)

Nubo

I don't know about the center vents, but the side vents are easy to remove. Just thread some insulated wire through the grate and pull out like a bad tooth . I did this to paint the bezels. Should give you some room to work or at least get a good look to see how to fish some wires into the space for LEDs.

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

You're suggesting that I have wires coming out of the vent's themselves.

If that is what you mean I think it would defy the point of looking slick because of the wires.

Did I misunderstand you?

Razz1

no the wires go into the vents and you pull them out the back and connect them to any 12 volt switch at the Electronics store.

You may have to drill a hole in the tubiing that supplies the air.

That is all...

laythor

you wouldn't have to place a switch anywhere for those lights. You can access the side vents from under the dash and the center vents by removing the radio. Drill holes and pop in led sockets with the bulb of your choice. Run the wires from the leds to the courtesy lights circuit down by the drivers left leg. Lights will come on when the doors are open.

Nubo

Right. At first you just use some wire to pull the vents out. Then you get better access. They pop back in when you're done.

You may not be able to use a drill to get where you want to put the hole. You can just bend a length of stiff wire (think coathanger) to an appropriate shape to reach the spot where you want the hole. Heat the tip until it barely glows, then (carefully of course!) use it to melt a hole in the housing where you want it. Just make sure there's no wires, etc., immediately on the other side of that spot. I know it all sounds pretty gnarly. But a small hole in the dark recess of an all-black duct just isn't going to ruin the resale value . Your blue LEDs might not be to everyone's taste though. But I think it would be cool.