LED's in cup holder

[DavidB8]

But an actual light like the ones under the seats could be installed instead of just an LED. Would be harder since the plastic would have to be cut out for a light instead of drilled but what do you think would be better? A single light of course wouldn't be as directional as the LED's would be.

[Ryan_T]

If you can cut it perfectly, I think getting one of the OEM light sources would be better. In the A8 shot, I think the ones below the door handles are very similar in size to the footwell/trunk lights. I've never taken them out, so I'm not sure if it's a simple opening or if there are tabs involved. But I'm sure the diffuser on the OEM ones would cast a softer, more subtle light than a naked LED poked through a hole.

[Tone-Dogg]

subscribed can't wait to see finished product

[Greg Nelson]

Just went down to my car, looked at driver door and took some pics.
Our doors are quite different than those on the A8.
Looks like door handle 'grab' opening would have been ideal location to have installed the footwell/glovebox light housing for glow downward
Doesn't appear to be enough space underneath the window controls for this housing.
Maybe put the footwell/glovebox light housing in the inside back of the 'grab' opening, as that surface is angled downward?
The glovebox light housing is about $25 from Audi dealer. It uses the WLED-x6 (6 LEDs, x being LED color) from SuperBrightLEDs.com, we could also use
the WLED-x4 or WLED-x. They're all wedge bulbs that work in glove box housing, vary in light intensity and angle of dispersion.
From $1.39 to $3.54 each.
Have no clue what the footwell light housing looks like, probably similar to glovebox?
Like idea of a single LED at base of bottle holder as well.
As I have beige interior, I'd go for single red LED at bottle holder and amber under door handle.
Gonna go look at rear doors now.
Cheers

[DavidB8]

Sun of a bi..... I think Audi hates me.. I just took a look at the LED under dash light since it's in my living room instead of in the car :)

There are no special clips in the under dash cover so you could do it by cutting a hole provided there is a clear surface to do so in the handle. You could also swap the led for Red.. This is where I get annoyed.. Audi used a PLCC4 chip instead of a PLCC2. The 2 chips are whats used in the MMI housing and I have lots of those. The 4's I would have to order to try out and it's $20 shipping... grrrr..... Boy I miss living down south where I would just drive over to the electronics store and pic some up.

Can you say donations

[DavidB8]

I out a request up on the A8 forum to see if someone would be willing to post a pic of their light so we can see what they use. Not sure how busy that forum is but we'll see.

[DavidB8]

Some more research, there is enough room to put a light in the handle no problem, there is no ambient light wire in the door so it would have to be on the same dimmer as the switches.

[linet90]

So you would go with Red LED's or White? I'm guessing the idea of installing a light like whats in the B8 doesn't appeal?

I would go with White since just about everything is red and as it is on the low end of the door it would match the under dash lights

[DavidB8]

I've done some searching on the different plugs inside the door and found one that can be ordered with a male and female end that can be used to bring the lighting power and ground to the new light. So this could essentially be made into a plug and play install with the exception of cutting the hole in the trim.

[linet90]

how do you find all these harness I cant find any in ETKA

[DavidB8]

It's not really finding a harness it's finding the parts to make a harness. You have to go into the elek section on the bottom of the main screen and look up connectors there and then match the male and female wires..

Teaser thread about to start.. Check in 2 mins...

[DavidB8]

DIY is more or less complete for the cupholder LED's. I still need to do a write up for centre console removal but there is one on Audizine somewhere if you go looking.

Here you go

http://www.audienthusiasts.com/Proje...Cupholder.html

[Greg Nelson]

The 'missing link' to center console removal:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...le+trim+change
So easy 5 cavemen and 3 polar bears could do it
Had my mechanic do it when I changed out my center console wood trim!

The search function on Audizine is NOT user-friendly.

Cheers

[Tone-Dogg]

David, great job!!! One day I'll tackle this...

[Greg Nelson]

If you buy the stuff from eBay.de or through an audi dealer for Euro only parts, the time is right now folks.
The Euro is plummeting against the dollar at this moment.
Cheers

[DavidB8]

It's to bad dealers didn't adjust their prices here when our dollar gets stronger. If it wasn't for the drop in the Euro and US dollar I would have never been able to do half of my mods.

[Greg Nelson]

As of one hour ago prices for 3mm flat LEDs at c-leds.com (link in David's article) are $5.97 for qty.20.
Had been $14.97 for qty.20 - almost 2/3 off.
I just ordered mine.
Cheers

[DavidB8]

You bought the premade ones though right? :)

[Greg Nelson]

Oh shit, I hope so.
These http://c-leds.com/store/product.php?id_product=83
Cheers

[DavidB8]

Email them and cancel the order. These are what you need http://c-leds.com/store/category.php?id_category=134

Oh and if your up for it I can use these: http://c-leds.com/store/category.php?id_category=60 :)
I'll pay, just that they want to rape me for an additional $20 shipping. Pretty sure an envelope and stamps cost a lot less than that.

[DavidB8]

Oh shit, I hope so.
These http://c-leds.com/store/product.php?id_product=83
Cheers

P.S. I love what your doing with your color choice. I really think it's going to look good with your interior.

[Greg Nelson]

Email them and cancel the order. These are what you need http://c-leds.com/store/category.php?id_category=134

Oh and if your up for it I can use these: http://c-leds.com/store/category.php?id_category=60 :)
I'll pay, just that they want to rape me for an additional $20 shipping. Pretty sure an envelope and stamps cost a lot less than that.

I'll order with my pre-wired lights a little later, I'll get the reds for you
PM your mailing address.

Here's an article from this month's National Geographic re the 'warming' of Greenland: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...er/folger-text
Reading it just might warm you up - or not
Cheers

[pretarion]

David, if you get the prewired 12v ones, does that mean you do not need resistors?

[Greg Nelson]

David, if you get the prewired 12v ones, does that mean you do not need resistors?

Correct, if you buy the ones David listed in his DIY, resistors not needed. Here's my install using Amber LEDs in Beige interior

Cheers

[pretarion]

Greg,
Thanks for getting back to me. Those look great! What source did you tap into to run them and what holders did you mount them with??

[Greg Nelson]

Greg,
Thanks for getting back to me. Those look great! What source did you tap into to run them and what holders did you mount them with??

Again, I followed David B8's DIY regarding wiring and P/N's needed, including LED holders - buy extra of these, they're somewhat flimsy.
I purchased an extra Audi cup holder ($55-$60 IRIC), prewired the LEDs myself (including using RTV [Silicon adhesive] to keep all the LED wires adhered to hidden surfaces of cup holders and not loose inside center console).
Only difference I did from David B8's thread was adding a LED to rectangular opening (where I keep change) and having my mechanic install, as it required removing the center console.
Cheers

[l1fegam3r]

David, as for creating the harness, what is the cheapest way of purchasing the materials? Do they have to be oem? Thanks

[Greg Nelson]

David, as for creating the harness, what is the cheapest way of purchasing the materials? Do they have to be oem? Thanks

DavidB8 has been unresponsive since June/July
I will attempt to respond, as I have done this mod, based on his DIY - see my previous posts to this thread.
IMO you really need to purchase the OEM wires and 'housings'/wire harness connectors because:
1. the wires have Audi-specific connectors (male/female) at each end, which I have been unable to find/purchase. You need these Audi-specific connectors because -
2. the wire connectors fit into the Audi wire harness connectors (the white plastic pieces - one is 'male' other is 'female') which must be connected to the existing wire harness connectors under your center console - these wires supply power and red surround light to the accessory plug under your center armrest.
As I recall the OEM wires and harness connectors cost me about $35. If you can't get everything for that price, PM me for a link to purchase from an Audi dealer.
Strongly recommend you purchase the cup holder P/N 8K0-862-533-6PS to pre-wire the LEDs b/f you remove your center console to install.
Cup holder part includes the 2 cup holders and the rectangular section close to driver's seat - s/b approx. $55.
Cheers

[l1fegam3r]

I have ordered the leds, led holders, and OEM connectors but I figured I would just wire the harness myself. I had a hard time finding the OEM harness parts at a resonable at price. The cheapest I have found the OEM wires are $3.30 per OEM wire so that $12 total for all 4 wires. I did not get the cup holder. But I figure I would once I sell it or decide to remove it. Overall it seems pretty inexpensive $14 for the pre-wired LEDs, $2.50 for the LED holders. The connectors were $1.98 for female and $5.90 for the male. I guess I will purchase the wires for another $12. It does not seem that difficult to remove the center console as per a illustrated guide I have.

[Greg Nelson]

I have ordered the leds, led holders, and OEM connectors but I figured I would just wire the harness myself. I had a hard time finding the OEM harness parts at a resonable at price. The cheapest I have found the OEM wires are $3.30 per OEM wire so that $12 total for all 4 wires. I did not get the cup holder. But I figure I would once I sell it or decide to remove it. Overall it seems pretty inexpensive $14 for the pre-wired LEDs, $2.50 for the LED holders. The connectors were $1.98 for female and $5.90 for the male. I guess I will purchase the wires for another $12. It does not seem that difficult to remove the center console as per a illustrated guide I have.

If it does not seem so difficult or 'pricey' (since you were looking for non-OEM parts), looking forward to your to your installation PICS.
Remember, you get what you pay for

[Stubek]

Any luck on the write up for removing the center console yet?

[UmIsThisThingOn]

Any luck on the write up for removing the center console yet?

There's a write up on how to remove the Center console somewhere on the 'Zine... gonna go look around.

Edit: Found it - the search actually worked!
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...enter-Console?

[Greg Nelson]

Any luck on the write up for removing the center console yet?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rim?highlight=
http://ocarbon.com/blog/2010/06/b8-a...removal-guide/

[futaris]

Where are people getting a replacement / extra cup holder from?

[Greg Nelson]

Where are people getting a replacement / extra cup holder from?

http://www.audipartssuperstore.com/ in Westwood, Mass.
I've been purchasing from them for 7-8 years, never a problem
P/N 8K0 862 533 6PS - $55+shipping last June.
Cheers

[Miles M]

http://www.audipartssuperstore.com/ in Westwood, Mass.
I've been purchasing from them for 7-8 years, never a problem
P/N 8K0 862 533 6PS - $55+shipping last June.
Cheers

Greg, between your fog grills and these LEDs in the cup holder, I want to hire you! haha.

This looks like a fun project, but I'm far too lazy to attempt it.

[DavidB8]

ok since I have to replace my cupholder all my hard work to put the LED's in is out the window. So it's actually a hold up to getting my console back in my car so I finally bit the bullet and started looking at alternate methods for the install. Instead of drilling them into the main unit I tried drilling out one of the spring loaded clips instead.

What do you think of this method? The light will never be visible to the naked eye and just push back when a cup is put in.

What do you guys think?





I can always notch the back to allow a little more room for the wires although I don't know if it would be needed.

[Stubek]

That is one of two methods I was going to use when I do this mod.

Just as a teaser, the other method was going to be to trim out an entire ring all the way around that is about 1/16th-3/32nd tall and backlight the entire thing from under neath.

[DavidB8]

I just lit the one up and it lights really well considering. Since the little clips can be removed I can actually put one in each of them making it light more evenly than the past method. I wont be doing any major playing with this cup holder considering I had to get it from Europe and I'm not going to be risky with it.