Adding ambient light to lower trims

I believe that was the whole point of this thread. I ordered with excitement items which I thought were according to what was indicated, but when I tested them, they were dim. Measuring voltage I saw only 1v. That's way too low to really illuminate the LEDs. I was considering installing a DC-DC voltage regulator that might take in 1v and possibly output 5v. That might light up the LED strip but I won't get the variability that is associated with the lights (dimming under various conditions). I think all I'd get would be a steady state brightness that might be too much. I was really hoping someone whom had already performed this modification might comment. I know it's an older thread .... sigh.

 

Has someone actually completed the modification before?

 

What'd you plug into?

Show pics.

I have door handle LEDs that connect with the default LED power to the switches. If the vehicle button leds are dimmed too low it causes issues with the aftermarket door leds i have. Could be similar if you're tapping the button led power.

 

24 prime xse here. We have had the car about a month and just noticed yesterday that the ambient lighting blinks at you to catch drivers attention. At a stoplight when car ahead leaves, while trying to change lanes when blind spot monitor is illuminated etc.

Pretty neat feature.

 

Yes. It's in the owner manual.

 

I've attached a few pictures. I'm having problems getting a good measurement with the VOM because I don't have leads with gator clips (I'm going to fix that). BUT .... I tested both the leds and the EL wire by connecting them to a stripped back USB A connector, both light up perfectly when I tried. I verified the polarity of the connections both. The connector I bought online has a red and black wire at the edges which are opposite in polarity to the normal color convention (black -, red +). No matter which way I connected it up the leds did not light up. Took them inside to make sure I hadn't fried anything and they still worked. At one point I did actually measure 4.99 volts. Still they did not work. This is WAY to easy of a thing so I'm flummoxed. Had to give up and come inside because the wife was hungry. I'll try again later.

 

Oops

 

Oops2

 

The connectors with the multiple wires I found online I think after going through a Reddit post. Extra wires, I just ignore them. I understand about it working on USB and the fact that I'm seeing 5V. I just got new meter leads so I'll try again this coming Sunday. Thanks for your comments.