LED's in Cup Holders [Archive]

BeEvil

08-19-2009, 11:00 PM

Hey all,

Just some photos of mine and my wife's cup holders and armrests with newly installed LED's. Looks pretty good IMO. When my wife saw mine she had to have them in hers' as well.

Sorry about the photos but it's really hard not to move for 8 seconds!!! LOL.

2010 Cup Holder with red LED's

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/2010CupHolder1.jpg

2010 Cup Holder with Red LED's & Armrest with Blue LED

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/2010CupHolder2.jpg

2007 Cup Holder with Blue LED's

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/2007CupHolder1.jpg

2007 Cup Holder with Blue LED's & Armrest with Red LED

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/2007CupHolder2.jpg

BeEvil

Chester_Lampwick

08-19-2009, 11:13 PM

Cool. I think I like the blue better, but I would need to witness this in person. Do these dim with the instruments?

aris

08-19-2009, 11:18 PM

I like it..your not going to have any problems trying to find it in the dark:chuckle

chinsterr

08-20-2009, 01:10 AM

There was someone on the board that put angel eyes in the cup holders ....

Nice DIY

BeEvil

08-20-2009, 08:38 AM

I like it..your not going to have any problems trying to find it in the dark:chuckle

I detect a hint of sarcasm. Agreed the cup holder LED's are for show, but the one in the armrest is very useful.

BeEvil

BeEvil

08-20-2009, 08:42 AM

Cool. I think I like the blue better, but I would need to witness this in person. Do these dim with the instruments?

No they don't dim with the lights. I really didn't care if they did or not. However with my wife's car I did manage to find the dash lighting. So they are off during the day and only come on when her lights come on at night.

BeEvil

cwp_sedan

08-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Nice Job! I've always liked the look of LEDs in the cup holders. :)

Gizzmo_jr

08-20-2009, 11:04 AM

Wish tim hortons cups were see-through.

aris

08-20-2009, 11:11 AM

I detect a hint of sarcasm. Agreed the cup holder LED's are for show, but the one in the armrest is very useful.

BeEvil

No sarcasm...

BeEvil

08-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Nice Job! I've always liked the look of LEDs in the cup holders. :)

Thanks. I put 3 in the cup holder. One right in the middle and 2 to either side. they are hidden from my sight so no glare can bother me.

BeEvil

BeEvil

08-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Wish tim hortons cups were see-through.

LOL, me 2 but then the coffee would have to be clear as well. :bang

BeEvil

sunder1025

08-20-2009, 02:31 PM

Can we get a cople shot of it during the day for the location of the lights and maybe one with the cup holder out so we could see the wiring.

It looks awesome!

mazdabetty

08-20-2009, 03:03 PM

FANCY! I want.

BeEvil

08-20-2009, 03:04 PM

Can we get a cople shot of it during the day for the location of the lights and maybe one with the cup holder out so we could see the wiring.

It looks awesome!

I'll try. I'm washing and waxing my wife's car tonight. I washed and waxed mine last night!! Eventually I will get those photos for you.

BeEvil

YesMazda

08-20-2009, 07:34 PM

ohh thats nice! looks really good.

maybe i should do something like that too. :)

MistaChin

08-20-2009, 09:46 PM

Nice work! JohnyGT did this as well and Tokyo Drift was the one with the angel eye cup holders

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19715&highlight=angel+cup

Halogen

08-21-2009, 04:32 AM

Cool !! Did you just buy some LED's and wire them in ? How did you mount them and control the voltage ?

I was totally thinking about adding some lights near the arm-rest tonight, this confirms it !!

BeEvil

08-21-2009, 08:50 AM

Cool !! Did you just buy some LED's and wire them in ? How did you mount them and control the voltage ?

I was totally thinking about adding some lights near the arm-rest tonight, this confirms it !!

I bought them @ Walmart. You just wire them up, no voltage control, nothing else. In my wife's 2007 under the boot of the shifter there's a terminal block on the passenger side. The second pin from the top row is the pin I attached my wiring to. This way the LEDs will come on when the headlights come on.

BeEvil

ng3

08-22-2009, 03:20 PM

Were they single LED's or strips?

JohnyGT

08-22-2009, 04:38 PM

Nice work! JohnyGT did this as well and Tokyo Drift was the one with the angel eye cup holders

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19715&highlight=angel+cup

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30295&highlight=cup+holder

rage2021

08-22-2009, 05:58 PM

Is there a faq or guide on how to do this?

BeEvil

08-23-2009, 08:35 AM

Were they single LED's or strips?

They come in a pack of 4 single LEDs.

BeEvil

BeEvil

08-24-2009, 11:43 PM

Ok. Some of you asked for photos of where the wiring block was located. And some one else asked for photos of the location of the LED's. I forgot to take those so I'll take them another night. Sorry.

Anyway here is a couple of photos of the wiring in my wife's 2007 MZ3. Sorry about the quality.

First photo is of the cup holder removed and the shifter boot off but still in the way of where the terminal block is.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring5.jpg

This is of the boot lifted so you can see the terminal block on the passenger side and some of the wires coming from the LED's. It looks messy but it works. oh and the block is taped up with electrical tape so the pin connector I used wont fall out.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring1.jpg

Just a better shot of the block and wires. The second terminal from the top left is the one I used. It's 12V DC and it only comes on when the headlights do. Also you can see where I grounded the the black wires of the LED's.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring4.jpg

This is a shot of the block. Again it's taped up so you really cant see it but you get the idea.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring2.jpg

Hope this helps some. I'll get those shots of the LED locations next, but not tomorrow. I have hockey tomorrow.

BeEvil

rage2021

08-25-2009, 05:12 PM

how to safely remove the cup holder? I dont want to break it

towelsnap

08-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Did you drill holes? any day shots? ( I like to ask a lot of questions lol )

BeEvil

08-26-2009, 01:29 AM

how to safely remove the cup holder? I dont want to break it

It's easy pull the e-brake up. Then pull up all around the cup holder. It comes out very easily. At first I was nervous but now I've had it out 5 times.

BeEvil

BeEvil

08-26-2009, 01:31 AM

Did you drill holes? any day shots? ( I like to ask a lot of questions lol )

Yes, I drilled 3 holes. Those photos are coming tomorrow. I'll get the drill bit size as well.

BeEvil

bman13

08-26-2009, 11:31 AM

wow, that looks sweet.

BeEvil

08-26-2009, 12:07 PM

Thanks bman13.

BeEvil

rage2021

08-26-2009, 03:04 PM

It's easy pull the e-brake up. Then pull up all around the cup holder. It comes out very easily. At first I was nervous but now I've had it out 5 times.

BeEvil

wont i break it if i just try n pull it out. :S it feels like i will break the hatches or something

BeEvil

08-26-2009, 03:39 PM

wont i break it if i just try n pull it out. :S it feels like i will break the hatches or something

Pull on it where it feels the strongest. You can slightly pry at the sides but it's not necessary. Just don't start to pull up on the side where the cup holder folds over when open. It's the weakest point IMO. Just gently pull and eventually it will pop in one spot and then the rest will come out as you work it around. If I can do it you can. Once it's out you'll wonder what you were so worried about.

BeEvil

towelsnap

08-26-2009, 05:43 PM

Yes, I drilled 3 holes. Those photos are coming tomorrow. I'll get the drill bit size as well.

BeEvil

Thanks buddy , always wanted to do this , and it's an inexpensive mod :bana thanks

BeEvil

08-26-2009, 10:13 PM

Here are the pics as promised. I used a 3/16th" drill bit. I drilled the holes then fit them snug. The bit is just a little small so you will have to adjust the hole size by using the drill bit to bore out the hole slightly bigger. Be careful as you don't want to make it too big. Then I put clear silicone on the bottoms of the LED's to help hold them in place and in case of spills.

First photo is of the LED's in situ, off. You won't normally see them as the cup holder door will block them so they are seamless.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED3.jpg

Second is with them on.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED4.jpg

The rest are just shots of how the installation looks.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED1.jpg

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED2.jpg

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED5.jpg

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/LED6.jpg

Hope this helps.

BeEvil

towelsnap

08-28-2009, 10:41 PM

Thanks BeEvil :) you didn't have to take it all apart again thou lol but it helps

BeEvil

08-28-2009, 11:01 PM

Thanks BeEvil :) you didn't have to take it all apart again thou lol but it helps

Not a problem, it took 2 seconds. LOL.

BeEvil

rage2021

08-29-2009, 12:14 PM

Hmm that is for the Mazda 3 07? I got the 04 so it would look different inside?

BeEvil

08-29-2009, 11:35 PM

Hmm that is for the Mazda 3 07? I got the 04 so it would look different inside?

I really don't know. Just remove the cup holder and have a look. For the 07 you need to have the arm rest up in order to remove the cup holder. But the 10 you don't. Just a heads up.

BeEvil

fatsock

08-30-2009, 07:13 PM

Very cool Mod!:pop

rage2021

08-31-2009, 12:55 AM

Yea the autolight is theb est thing about it imo, id love to wire foot lights to it as well, and they come on whenever it gets dark outside automatically.

PCLoadLetter

10-18-2009, 08:14 PM

BeEvil

10-18-2009, 08:35 PM

Back from the dead!
These are shots of under my cupholders, is this the block that you wired to Andrew?

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt42/trendmonster/Mazda3/DSC01417.jpg

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt42/trendmonster/Mazda3/DSC01416.jpg

Actually no. It should be in the opposite corner. Do you have an auto trans? If you do I realized recently, when helping a neighbor install LED's in his cup holder, that the block is used. Where as when it's a manual trans. its' not used. Anyway, we ended up using the wires that went to his LED that lit up the gear shift lights. You can do the same if you have an auto trans.

If you do have a manual then the block should be under the gear shift boot on the passenger side. The terminal I used on the 2007 was the second over from the left on the top row.

BeEvil

BeEvil

PCLoadLetter

10-18-2009, 09:02 PM

Manual trans here. Great, I'll have another peek tomorrow. Thanks!

P.S. I'm lazy, your sig will be worked on tomorrow

rage2021

10-25-2009, 12:23 PM

I ended up making the centre console the primary power going into my fuse. I lighted up my front and rear foot lights that way. I think I'll add the LED cup holders soon, I just need some1 to drill lol.

Rob23

10-28-2009, 10:27 PM

yea looks awsome. i have some blue neon lighting from my last car that i still have, plus its wired to a dimmer/switch so i can hardwire it but still turn it off or down if it bothers me.

Rob23

11-05-2009, 09:13 PM

you should post some pics of what it looks like at night

Rob23

11-06-2009, 03:14 PM

just finished installing my neon blue footwell lights, but i didn't hard wire them yet cus im not sure if i like it or not. ill post some pics this weekend and ill hardwire them if i decide to keep them.. :P

Rob23

11-07-2009, 06:23 PM

Ok. Some of you asked for photos of where the wiring block was located. And some one else asked for photos of the location of the LED's. I forgot to take those so I'll take them another night. Sorry.

Anyway here is a couple of photos of the wiring in my wife's 2007 MZ3. Sorry about the quality.

First photo is of the cup holder removed and the shifter boot off but still in the way of where the terminal block is.

This is of the boot lifted so you can see the terminal block on the passenger side and some of the wires coming from the LED's. It looks messy but it works. oh and the block is taped up with electrical tape so the pin connector I used wont fall out.

Just a better shot of the block and wires. The second terminal from the top left is the one I used. It's 12V DC and it only comes on when the headlights do. Also you can see where I grounded the the black wires of the LED's.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring4.jpg

This is a shot of the block. Again it's taped up so you really cant see it but you get the idea.

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/EvnEvlr/wiring2.jpg

Hope this helps some. I'll get those shots of the LED locations next, but not tomorrow. I have hockey tomorrow.

BeEvil

what part of the block do you consider the top? the side with the clip on it or the other way around??

BeEvil

11-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Sorry Rob I can't remember, but if I had to take a guess it's the one with the clip on top. You can do a temporary connection and turn your lights on to see if it works.

BeEvil

Rob23

11-09-2009, 12:43 AM

Sorry Rob I can't remember, but if I had to take a guess it's the one with the clip on top. You can do a temporary connection and turn your lights on to see if it works.

BeEvil

thanks for the help, ill be able to figure it out. i should be able to seeing im an electrician apprentice, although commercial buildings are alot different :P

Rob23

11-09-2009, 05:47 PM

got it done! works well and looks awsome. now i don't have to worry about it they'll turn on when its dark, andi wired a switch so if i don't want them on even at night i can turn them off.
Thanks for the help/idea BeEvil.

BeEvil

11-10-2009, 09:08 AM

drey

11-27-2009, 02:41 AM

i always forget to try this mod. thanks for the diy and where to purchase the leds, will have to make my way to walmart soon.
walmarts pretty big, are the leds in the electronic department?

BeEvil

11-27-2009, 09:14 AM

i always forget to try this mod. thanks for the diy and where to purchase the leds, will have to make my way to walmart soon.
walmarts pretty big, are the leds in the electronic department?

No the LED's are in the automotive department along with all the other accessory lights for cars.

BeEvil