Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - Interior LED Dome Light Diffuser | DIY

Welcome to the Interior LED Panel Dome Light Diffuser Thread

The Problem

As FR-S and BRZ owners there is one thing we have in common.
The interior dome light is about as efficient as a flashlight made in the 1920s if not worse. The light output is a joke.

Solution:

Now with the so many light upgrade options I chose to do a custom order with Ken from HID_Powerhouse LEDs.

I chose him again because I did not want 6000k+ (Blue) LEDs for interior lighting. I believe the interior of the vehicle is similar to a living space that should have warm usable light.

So he placed a custom order for 3000k, 15 LED Light panel for the dome light.

it arrived in 3 weeks and quality of board and LED placement was good.

LED PANEL INSTALLED:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

Problem With Solution:

The LED panel was about 8x a bright based on my light meter.
This was excellent, however the problem with LED panel's is they produce directional and very HARD light. So while the interior had a warm bright light it was also blinding. I mean to the point where you go in the car and your eyes hurt if you glanced up. So clearly the solution was go with a less bright LED panel but still have hard light or come up with something else.

Solution for the Solution:

I messaged Ken, and asked if he ever produced or had the ability to get diffusers for the LED panels. He said he did not have the ability to make something like this, which I understand.

Quote:

When you go into girls bedroom and want to re-produce do you turn on a spot light or take off the lampshade?

The super bright LED panels need a diffuser or a ND Gel.
(neutral density filter cuts light output)(Diffuser scatters and softens light much like a lampshade)

The easiest way would be to use a diffuser sheet on top of the light panel. However a foot of that material is more than the cost of the LED.

So I looked at ND filters/Gels that could be placed on the OEM plastic lens.

Those were cheap but all it would do is cut light output, not diffuse the light.

Final Solution for LED Panel

I did some looking for a flash bulb diffuser that was near the same dimensions as the LED panel and found one on amazon:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083Z6R4W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00"]Amazon.com: Sto-Fen OM-ET Omni-Bounce for Canon 600EX-RT Flash: Camera & Photo[/ame]

Dimensions:
2 x 3 x 2 inches

Pictures of Diffuser:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

Fitting to Size:

I dropped the light panel into the diffuser and it was a near perfect fit. All I need was a small amount of double sided tape to hold the diffuser in place and then cut the diffuser to size.

Making Dots around where the circuit board was located inside for easy cutting.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

Cutting Around the Dots With Dremel (or band saw)

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

Sand Down Rough Edges with Dremel Bit and Place in LED Panel

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

Without Diffuser

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

With Diffuser:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027920

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1358027934

Conclusion:

Light output increased 6x over OEM
3000k Produces soft warm white light no blue cast inherent with most LED lights.
Diffuser helps soften and scatter light
Reduced eye strain and bright interior light
I can see bodily fluids such as snot, blood or fecal matter collection on the seats, floor mats and shift knob more easily