DIY Motion activated storage cubby lights

[particlewave]

Revised detector circuit for LED fade out only (emitter circuit from page one remains the same):

Q1 - S9014 NPN transistor
Q2 - Phototransistor (IR Detector from original circuit)
D1-D4 - LEDs with 120 degree illumination angle

Everything else should be in the picture.
When the detector is blocked, the transistor activates, illuminating the the LEDs and charging C1. When detector is unblocked, transistor shuts off and Cl discharges through R2. Fade out time can be adjusted by changing the value of R2.
R3 needs to be calculated for the LEDs you use.
Video shows circuit exactly as shown in the schematic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2GGZSZFYRH8

[Starter986]

Finally installed the mod this past weekend.

I tapped into a switched hot using an add-a-circuit plugging into the left side parking light fusebox slot.

A ground I located behind the lower center dash... near directly behind the cubby itself. I removed the ~V-shaped carpet piece near the gas pedal and there it was.

I attempted about 10 times to tap into the cigarette lighter hot wire. Sought assistance and a rocket scientist, , advised me that the dash and console lights are 6V.

Works as advertised. Could charge double the fabrication and it'd still be worth it.

[Lew]

I experienced doing the small Led's on my Sailboat electrical panel using the resistors along with a green and red Led which showed on and off positions for a host of switches. Looked great....I might do my storage with a few red Led's . White light has a tendency to somewhat blind you at night.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Lew

I experienced doing the small Led's on my Sailboat electrical panel using the resistors along with a green and red Led which showed on and off positions for a host of switches. Looked great....I might do my storage with a few red Led's . White light has a tendency to somewhat blind you at night.

You can control the intensity of the lights with the LED resistor. As shown in the schematics, they are not too bright...just right.

[Lew]

Originally Posted by particlewave

You can control the intensity of the lights with the LED resistor. As shown in the schematics, they are not too bright...just right.

PW, your mod looks nice. Since my VW Sportswagon has all it's courtesy lights in red which I really like. All of your courtesy lighting is Blue which also looks good. I might could do the OEM courtesy lighting with that color Led's. It most likely would take several since they are not to bright. Yes!