Champagne

Hello everyone,

since our lighted window switch project is well underway, I decided to introduce our next offering: the lighted sill kit.

Based on the fiber optic technology that we used in the switch panel, Hans and I decided to put together a kit that would solve some of the problems encountered when lighting the sills with the old technology.

Many, including myself, did light their sills with EL panels. The main problems were the rather short lifespan of the converter associated with this technology.
Those converters also buzz and get louder with age. My driver's side was actually getting very loud, to the point where I lifted the sill to investigate. What I found decided me to unplug the whole thing. The converter was very, very hot and had started to melt. My passenger side was fine, but I didn't want to take a chance.

Another shortcoming of those EL panels is that once you choose your color, you were pretty much stuck with it.

Those EL panels were also fairly susceptible to moisture and needed to be sealed fairly well.

In comes the fiber optic panel
Moisture does not affect it, even a bit:



The panels that we use for the sill kit are lighted by one LED at each end, so not only is changing color is just a matter of swapping bulbs, but it also gives the opportunity to create nice effect by using 2 different colors:



In full sun, the panels appear as soft white. In the dark, when viewed in very close, the fiber optic gives a "starry" effect that is quite pleasing:



The panel will come with adhesive pre-applied and both connectors already wired. The connectors fit nicely in the recess created by the molded ridge of the sill. A complete set of instructions will be supplied.

This is in low light:


This is in very low light (dusk):


At night:


The sills do not need any modifications.

Installation is straight forward and will be detailed in the instructions, from removal of the sills to a couple of different options for where to tap the power.

The price for the kit (will do both sills) including both fiber optic panels (pre-wired), 4 high focus LED (color of your choice) and instructions is $75.00 + $10 shipping in the US, $15 shipping International.
Sills themselves are not included.

Again, thank you all for your continued support

Paul

928mac

Sweet, . . . . Now cut that out Paul. you know us guys can't resist all this flashy stuff

hmmmmhhhh ILL wait a day or 2

AO

Paul-

I am interested in this product, but I do not want a white background color. For the old EL strips I ran a red strip on my red car and it looks like body color underneath.

How well do these work with a transparent color strip over them? How about Testors Translucent Candy Apple Red spray paint?

jeff spahn

Paul- I'll take a blue one. electric blue
I'll PM you too.

hans14914

Another comment about these panels versus EL - these appear white when "off" or in direct sunlight when the ambient lighting condition overpowers the LED. An EL panel has the tendency to always look pink, almost a salmon color when off or in the presence of a bright ambient lighting situation.

If you currently have EL lighting, and would like to switch to this revised LED/fiberoptic panel, you can simply remove remove the transformer and EL tape, and use the existing +/- leads for the EL transformer to power the LEDs.

Finally, this is a 100% custom fiberoptic panel. We have our own part number with the supplier for this piece, and you wont find anything like it from any of the electronic supply houses or on eBay. This was ordered specifically for this application, so fits perfectly.

Thanks,
Hans

Champagne

Andrew,

a translucent colored diffuser would actually work much better with the fiber optic than it did with the EL. So if it worked with your old set up, it will work with this one.
And doubling a red diffuser with red LED would give you quite a punch

Paul

fraggle

Now that is a cool way to do this. I've avoided the other method for the mod! I think christmas will be a 928 friendly one.

pcar928fan

Hans and Paul, you guys are KILLING ME! I am clearly going to have to sell some more calendars so I can at least get that project to a break even place so I can start playing with these things... Again thinking of this for the '92 that already has so much cool PC stuff in it already! I won those buttons too so I figure I will use those in the '92 and when the center console carputer is ready...another item for the '92 will be born... That car sure will be nice (hell it is already nice!)

Brett928S2

Hi Paul

I will have a kit in blue please...thats a definite order, just let me know when you want paying and how much in total including shipping to the UK and is PayPal (gift) ok ?

Just as a matter of interest, as I have never removed those panels...how long a job would you think roughly to to this with your new panels ?

All the best Brett

Champagne

Thank you all for your encouraging comments

Brett,
I will get in touch shortly.
Removing the sills is not difficult when you know a few tricks. Actually Andrew who posted a few post earlier wrote a very detailed step-by-step with pictures.

I will need to "borrow" it and post it here

The length of the job will depend on where you decide to tap for power.

The easier way is to tap directly on the hatch release switch. BUT, doing it like that means that when you activate the switch, the sill will turn off while the hatch motor cylcles. Once the cycle is done, the sill will light up again.

If that doesn't bother you, connection is a matter of minutes.

There are a few other ways to do it, but they take a little bit longer.

Each one will be detailed in the instruction sheet.

And yes, PayPal is accepted. (gift) even more so

Paul

rayfinkel

Put me down for one!

Allen T.
89 5speed hybrid

AO

Paul-

Feel free to borrow from my post all those years ago. Let me know if I can help by posting it here or in another dedicated thread

One question, On the old EL strips, you could punch a hole for the clear plastic rivet. Can you do the same for these?

ROG100

Paul,
Please put me down for a red set.
Roger

Champagne

Thanks Andrew, I will take you up on that.

I am correcting this post, because Hans just made me realize that since we are lighting from both ends, we can actually poke a hole in the middle of the light panel.

So, all the kits will be supplied with the hole in the proper place and the locating pin no longer as to be cut off.

Paul

Champagne

Thank you kind Sirs