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Is anyone aware of an LED that has an angled beam, or a way to get a small amount of light onto an area of a dash without having to use a 90 degree led like the one pictured? I like these but I can't have anything hanging down like that, plus it needs to be more like 45 degrees instead of 90. My last-resort idea is to scuff the lens of a normal LED to diffuse it, then paint half of the lens to make a somewhat directional source. The light doesn't need to be bright at all and is close to the area I want lit.

Can you take a PIX of the area you want to illuminate, that may get me think'n

I got new clock/heater control dash pieces for Christmas finally! The old panel was actually falling out/cracked, etc.

So in looking at it at night, I couldn't tell where anything was. There's a perfect spot under that ledge for an LED with decent clearance above it, under the ashtray, of about a 1/2".

Would any of these work for you?

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-wired-bolts/

Thanks. I looked at those last night and the Bolt Beam is the closest. I found one that is 6mm instead on ebay which is a better size but its still far from ideal.

Their Little Dot Light looks interesting for something I've been thinking of doing. Though it has a 120 deg beam angle the dot is so small that it may make a nice accent light for door handles, etc. And it comes with a peel and stick pad.

You might check out some of the led license plate lights - lots of versions out there including some that are similar to the originals.

Another idea is trying to back light the control panel from inside/behind it. Would look more OEM that way.

Plate or bolt lights are whats in the above link. I haven't seen any that are angled yet, plus I need something recessed or on the surface mounted.

The panels are solid ABS so you can't back-light any part of it, other than the openings around those sliders but I don't think that would look too good. A subtle red cast of light is all that's needed and if done right, the LED wont be visible unless you leaned way down and looked up at the dash so it wont affect the stock look or function.

This may work, if nothing else. http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLB6-R-ATI-6mm- ... e6&vxp=mtr

Aircraft Instrument panel lamps with hood, something like this -- expensive.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIALCO-USA-Hood ... 1398430078

and here:
http://www.lanceaircraftsupply.com/ligh ... x_all.html

Dialco makes them.

http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/T ... 80&hei=480

Last resort

I'm sorry, Just kidding with ya. I'll make a donation to the site for being a smart alack.

That's typical me.. I suppose..

Would put a drinking straw/tube or similar..
of correct OD and reqd. illumination anglement..

then fill with transparent epoxy.. let dry..

Blame my maker tendencies to jig a rig ..

buying option..always / anyway

Brickren wrote:http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/T ... 80&hei=480

Last resort

I'm sorry, Just kidding with ya. I'll make a donation to the site for being a smart alack.

I'll forgive you one day.

Thanks.

acebee wrote:That's typical me.. I suppose..

Would put a drinking straw/tube or similar..
of correct OD and reqd. illumination anglement..

then fill with transparent epoxy.. let dry..

Blame my maker tendencies to jig a rig ..

buying option..always / anyway

Ah, fiber optics... of sorts.

One way of providing rear illumination of things like the dots would be to drill a hole where they are, then put a piece of cellotape across the hole. Then put clear epoxy resign in from behind. When the resign has set, you peel off the cellotape and that gives a sooth surface on the front. Now you can epoxy resign some SMD on the back and wire then up.

Makes for a nice looking finish.

Like https://www.dropbox.com/s/4i34zz2k5ikck ... 6.jpg?dl=0

Door handle on my Smart car.

John

Heinkeljb wrote:One way of providing rear illumination of things like the dots would be to drill a hole where they are, then put a piece of cellotape across the hole. Then put clear epoxy resign in from behind. When the resign has set, you peel off the cellotape and that gives a sooth surface on the front. Now you can epoxy resign some SMD on the back and wire then up.

Makes for a nice looking finish.

Like https://www.dropbox.com/s/4i34zz2k5ikck ... 6.jpg?dl=0

Door handle on my Smart car.

John

very nice