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Dereck
08-09-2014, 01:34 PM
Hi Guys

After my Back-up light illuminated entry (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87476) project you must know how much I like overly complicated useless features no one wants, so I thought it would be cool to illuminate the interior door handles with a couple LEDs.

The design brief this time however was to make it as simple as possible without running in a whole bunch of extra wires but unfortunately it ended up not quite as simple as I had invisioned.

The simplest way to achieve illuminated door handles was to use the 12v present on the power window switches, this would mean no extra wiring and it all could be done without even removing the door cards, great.

Using the power on the window switches did however throw up some problems....


The three passenger door handle lights would go out if the window lock was switched
The three passenger door switches reverse the motor polarity by grounding back through the master switch, so the door handle lights would go out if the windows were raised/lowered depending on how the door handle lights ground was connected.
The power is removed from the window switches when the ignition is switched off so the handle liights would go out just when you need them.

There seems to be no solution to problems 1 & 2 and I am not sure they are really too much of a problem as it was pretty much over come with my solution to problem 3

I solved problem 3 by adding a delay relay that keeps the windows powered for 30 seconds after the ignition is switched off and because I had to illuminate the three passenger door handles but didn't want to power them when the ignition is on and the window lock active a second relay was added, a couple of diodes were also needed so I ddin't end up trying to power half the car back through the window fuse.

Here is my wiring diagram for you to critique


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/2003MercuryMarauder/Marauder%20Door%20Handle%20LED s%20Scematic.JPG



One more slight problem remains, because I am powering the window switches for 30 seconds after the ignition is turned off in theory you could actually raise/lower the windows during this time, I have made sure all my wiring can handle the currant of all four window being raised/lowered at the same time but have only used a 3 amp fuse to fuse the circuit, so if anyoine actually tried to open a window the fuse would blow.

Hopefully I have covered everything and should have some pictures up later tomorrow.

Regards

Dereck

slickster
08-09-2014, 05:59 PM
good work keep us posted

Dereck
08-10-2014, 01:49 PM
Hi Guys

Wow no criticism? Must have got it right first time :D

Here are some pictures as promised


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Hol es.JPG

First job remove the door handle and dril a couple holes


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Har ness.JPG

Make a little harness.......


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Fit ted.JPG

....and superglue it in place


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Con nector%20Wedge.JPG

Next job remove the locking wedge from the window switch connector and pull the power and ground pins


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Con nector%20View.JPG

After the locking wedge is removed the pins can be pulled by prying the locking tab down in the connector and pulling on the wire.


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Ins ulation%20Stripped.JPG

I then stripped off a little insulation...


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Handle%20LEDs%20Har ness%20Spliced.JPG

...and soldered in my LED harness wires insulating them with a little heat shrink


http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/MarauderDoorHandleLEDs/Marauder%20Door%20Handle%20LED s%20Interior%20View.JPG

Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of them lit up as they do not give out much light but they do fill the door handles with a nice green glow, you also cannot see them when sat in the car, you actually have to look up into the door handle.

Regards

Dereck

slickster
08-10-2014, 05:27 PM
great job. next do a exterior door handle kit:)

fastblackmerc
08-10-2014, 06:06 PM
Been there... done that... been selling kits for 4 or 5 years. Mine include LEDs for the front cup holder and inside the arm rest. :D

IMHO.... Over complicated

jwibbity
08-10-2014, 07:21 PM
you'll be getting a pm from me about a project

Dereck
08-11-2014, 12:37 PM
Hi Fastblackmerc



IMHO.... Over complicated

How much more simple can it be than splicing into the power window switch wires? You do not even have to remove the door cards to do it. I did add a layer of complication because I wanted the LEDs to stay lit for a short time after the ignition was switched off and if the window lock was active.




you'll be getting a pm from me about a project

Hhmm! Should I be worried?

Regards

Dereck

jwernatl
08-11-2014, 08:06 PM
That's about awesome, that is!

pantheroc
08-12-2014, 09:52 AM
Do the LEDs have built in resistors? I would have guessed a need for resistors in series to maintain an appropriate current flow (<=20mA or so) through the LEDs. Thanks for post!

fastblackmerc
08-12-2014, 10:21 AM
Do the LEDs have built in resistors? I would have guessed a need for resistors in series to maintain an appropriate current flow (<=20mA or so) through the LEDs. Thanks for post!

Yes you do need to add resistors.

Dereck
08-12-2014, 11:47 AM
Hi Fastblackmerc


Yes you do need to add resistors.

No I don't the resistors are built in, RS part# 247-1498 (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/visible-leds/2471498/)

Regards

Dereck