DIY Ambient lightning using EL Wire

[Rrrrrene]

Hi all
sharing some pictures of what I accomplished by using this: Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com
to add some ambient lightning to my model X (also possible on model S).

1 EL wire in between the dash-trim and 1 EL wire in each back of the front seats (in between the leather and the plastic trim)


the view from outside


I followed the instructions as shown in this youtube video:

if interested I can share some more details about the installation/wiring etc...

 

[mjptech]

Looks good! Would love to know how you ran it and wired it up

 

[nico180]

Aliepress Link is not working for me.

 

[Rrrrrene]

this is the correct link: US $0.64 35% OFF|Neon Licht 6mm Naaien Rand EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Auto Lichten Neon LED lamp Flexibele 2.3mm touw Buis LED Strips in Neon Licht 6mm Naaien Rand EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Auto Lichten Neon LED lamp Flexibele 2.3mm touw Buis LED Strips van LED-strips op AliExpress.com | Alibaba Groep

I opted for the white color EL wire.

 

[icetoev]

looks good, also interested how you wired power to this

 

[G2019]

Excellent job. How does the wire look during the daytime while the lights off.

 

[Rrrrrene]

Hi all, been bit busy past days but I will post pictures and some guidelines tomorrow or later this week. Most of the installation is the same as explained in that YouTube clip I posted in my opening post.

 

[Rrrrrene]

 

[G2019]

Thank you. How much energy does it use-up to light it up?

Does it avoid the Tesla warranty?

 

[icetoev]

Impressive looks clean! Looking forward to your write up

 

[G2019]

Thanks. The Amazon link of the LED strip you have in your YouTube is not showing the product.

Do you have the cable plugged into the USB? If so, how did you route it to the USB without showing the cable hiding? Thanks again

 

[Rrrrrene]

Thank you. How much energy does it use-up to light it up?

Does it avoid the Tesla warranty?

No idea about energy-usage...
As for warranty: you don't modify anything on the car (no cutting cables or such), just plugging it in with cigarette-lighter adapter(s).

Thanks. The Amazon link of the LED strip you have in your YouTube is not showing the product.

Do you have the cable plugged into the USB? If so, how did you route it to the USB without showing the cable hiding? Thanks again

Ali-express link: US $0.64 35% OFF| Neon Light 6mm Sewing Edge EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Car Lights Neon LED lamp Flexible 2.3MM Rope Tube LED Strips in Neon Light 6mm Sewing Edge EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Car Lights Neon LED lamp Flexible 2.3MM Rope Tube LED Strips van LED-strips op AliExpress.com | Alibaba Groep

Or search on ali-express with terms like 'neon light EL wire'

On the ali-express link you can chose for USB or cigarette-lighter adapter and I opted for the cigarette-lighter version. I have 3 El wire strips to power (1 for the front dashboard and 1 for each back of the front seats), so I wasn't sure if a USB hub would provide enough power to power 3 strips. So my solution was 3 times the El wire strip with the cigarette-lighter socket and a cigarette-lighter splitter which provides 3 sockets to power the 3 strips (something like this: https://www.saverpoint.com/ekmps/sh...rette-lighter-splitter-1-usb-port-58677-p.png)
I've tucked this cigarette lighter splitter into compartment under the armrest of the Model X/S (you can slide the splitter via the cup-holder compartment)... but I'll post pictures to clarify the wiring and such.

 

[hydro 481]

No idea about energy-usage...
As for warranty: you don't modify anything on the car (no cutting cables or such), just plugging it in with cigarette-lighter adapter(s).



Ali-express link: US $0.64 35% OFF| Neon Light 6mm Sewing Edge EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Car Lights Neon LED lamp Flexible 2.3MM Rope Tube LED Strips in Neon Light 6mm Sewing Edge EL Wire Led Dance Party Decor Car Lights Neon LED lamp Flexible 2.3MM Rope Tube LED Strips van LED-strips op AliExpress.com | Alibaba Groep

Or search on ali-express with terms like 'neon light EL wire'

On the ali-express link you can chose for USB or cigarette-lighter adapter and I opted for the cigarette-lighter version. I have 3 El wire strips to power (1 for the front dashboard and 1 for each back of the front seats), so I wasn't sure if a USB hub would provide enough power to power 3 strips. So my solution was 3 times the El wire strip with the cigarette-lighter socket and a cigarette-lighter splitter which provides 3 sockets to power the 3 strips (something like this: https://www.saverpoint.com/ekmps/sh...rette-lighter-splitter-1-usb-port-58677-p.png)
I've tucked this cigarette lighter splitter into compartment under the armrest of the Model X/S (you can slide the splitter via the cup-holder compartment)... but I'll post pictures to clarify the wiring and such.

Sorry to bump an old thread but I'm tempted to try this with my Model 3. I'm wondering how you routed the wires from footwell area to the cigarette lighter outlet?

 

[Rrrrrene]

I tucked the cabling (speaker wire cabling so not thick at all) in between the carpet and the plastic door trim. It also simply runs underneath the driver seat.. so no disassembly or alike had to be done.

 

[cucubits]

It looks nice but it makes me sad that this needs to be diy-ed into a car at this price point...

 

[Rrrrrene]

I 100% agree on that. Tesla could have done this with ease out of the factory and charge us enough dollars for it and the interior would look just even more futuristic and pleasant (just as mine is now )

 

[crawfordmd]

I think this looks great and want to do it to my new MX as well. Just curious....what wattage did you end up using? I like the look, but I don't want it to be too bright.

 

[19x100D]

It’s a 5v system. You get 12v>5v converters with the lights

 

[crawfordmd]

I totally understand the voltage conversion, but I am interested in finding out what wattage the OP selected for the light strips he recommended. The light strips come in wattages ranging from 1-5w and was just curious to know which one he went with.

 

[19x100D]

I totally understand the voltage conversion, but I am interested in finding out what wattage the OP selected for the light strips he recommended. The light strips come in wattages ranging from 1-5w and was just curious to know which one he went with.

I went with the el wire that amazon sells 5v. I bought 3 packs. For the dash and both front seats I found that some of the kits sell cheap converters and they melt or make a loud buzzing noise when used. I went with different converters and also bought a usb splitter so I don’t use up all the USB ports. Plus it’s a cleaner look.


USB splitter Lenovo USB Hub, 4 Port USB 3.0... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5TS8KH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

El wire wire the good converter EL Wire for Automotive, 9ft EL... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T5X3XDD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share