(edit-sorry, didn't know the pics were so big) I was bored, so I took some old switches to try a little project. I noticed there is a little room under the rocker on the switch. I decided to try leds inside there. Pay attention to which switch goes where, & how they are oriented, before you unscrew them from the plate. To get the rocker off, press in on the tabs in the holes on both sides of the switch body, it pops right out.

Next, got 2 12 volt dc leds from radio shack, $2 each, with tinned pigtails already on them.

I drilled a 13/64 hole in the center of the rear of the body, as low as I could, & still get the led in. The led's I got were pre-mounted, with nuts & washers, red, with 15mA rating, & may not be bright enough, but they sell a variety so I can go back & get a brighter one monday if they aren't bright enough.

You will have to cut a radius in the bottom of the rear of the rocker, to allow the rocker to clear the led when you press it to lower the window. Don't cut too deep, or the radius may show when you press the rocker forward. I used a dremel tool to cut the radius.

All that is left is to run the positive wire to the ashtray lamps and a ground.

I'll go out tomorrow or monday (oops,tommorrow is Easter Sunday) & try it out & post back. I really think the led is going to be too dim, but we'll see.
Don
wire.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 03-31-2002).]

I shall be checkin back, lookin good.

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P'DuB

Matthew 11:28,29
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
www.geocities.com/captain_cu_cu/danro.html

Cool idea.Suggestion if the switch material is too thick to let the light through enough.Drill a small(1/16)hole through the switch end on the top,and put a very small dab of clear silicon caulk on the inside of the hole to seal it from dust,etc.

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#1112
Question my ability,question my intelligence,never question my integrity!

Well, I sinfully went out & put it in to try. In bright sunshine I can't see anything in the rocker, but if I cup my hand around it, it shows up red. One problem. In this pic, you will see the cutout for the clearance of the little led, when you depress the rocker back. It is TOO WIDE. Stay away from the area where the return spring is going to contact the rocker, when you cut the clearance, otherwise the rocker may not return to the neutral position

You probably would have had better results with Incandecent bulbs. LEDs are very directional, (only bright when seen from the front). From that angle almost none of the light is reflected out to the switch.

That black plastic void doesn't reflect much anyway. The angle of the scanned switch body doesn't do it justice, but they are inserted in about 1/4-5/16. There are smaller bodied leds that will fit straight up, inside the rocker housing, but they didn't have any with insulated pigtails. The switches themselves on these are worn out, and the rockers broken also. I was bored & just playing around, since I wasn't able to do the project in the Ogre's Cave--can't see well enough to do the plastic alterations needed.
Figured I would experiment on these instead of a good set, but intend to do the good ones now.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 03-31-2002).]

Bumped this up to report, now that it got dark out, if the leds had been any brighter, they would be too bright. $4 in leds, a couple feet of wire from an old computer and an hours work. I be a happy camper now Radio Shack in the mall next door was open this afternoon, so I bought a small incandescent bulb, a little smaller than the ones in the ash tray sockets. Put pwr to it, they get way too hot!! LED's it is for me.

Glad the LEDs worked for you. The reason I commented is that I installed a pair of LEDs in my door handle trim panels. They look cool at night but they were not as bright as I would have hoped.

Speaking of the ash tray lights, those suckers are blinding! I drove the car at night once with the center console removed and I couldn't see out the windshield those ashtray lights were so bright. I have disconnected them, they are the most useless waste of power ever.

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1988 Coupe
Fiero - It's like an Actual Miniature Car

Yep, the little ashtray bulbs are bright, hot, & burn out quick, & still don't do much for the ash trays. Same bulb is in the gear indicator on the auto, but I can't get any voltage to mine for some reason, but all the other lights work. Guess it just decided it has burned enough since 1984 & has had enough

Don can you post a pic of those at night?

or if not... are you going to the SA roundup and I will just look at your handiwork there?