If you say the voltage is ~12.3V and ~14.3V, then why would you use 12V in your calculation? In that case, yes, you would need something else to keep the voltage down. Otherwise, use the maximum voltage the LEDs will see and calculate your resistor value from that. I use 14.5V for the Z's battery voltage in my projects to be safe.

(14.5V-3.5V-3.5V)/.020A = 375Ω (a standard 360Ω is fine)

That will keep the current low enough to protect your LEDs. Also you won't notice a difference between 12.3V and 14.3V as far as brightness is concerned. Pretty negligable. Hope that helps.

 

I checked my owners manual and the service guide and no instructions for removing the dome light assembly.

Mine is not working, no light in the dome lights, wanted to check the bulbs, I checked the 10A fuse already and it is OK. The visor lights are not working as well, the trunk light is working though. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

whats the brightness of the LEDs you guys used? thanks

 

That's cool! Check it out, I got my LED's from www.lexenauto.com. These are on my car.

 

FWIW, here's a very neat LED circuit calculator:

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

 

Nice idea for the mood lighting. I might add them to what I've already done with my interior lights (see link below), but I'd like to find some orange LEDs so everything matches.

https://my350z.com/forum/body-interi...different.html

EDIT: Found these orange LEDs, which should work well:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-4000-mcd/293/

And, the mounting bezel:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ring-bc-5/300/

 

Well, I ordered a bunch of different orange LED's, some 3mm, 5mm, bright, dim, clear, diffused, etc. They're cheap enough that I only spent around $13 on eBay, even with the shipping. So, I have lots of options to try. Then, as I was just now taking the Z out to gas it up, I was thinking that placing the LED's as the OP did might not be ideal. Seems like those LED's might be shining in my eyes at times. Not to be critical of the OP, as obviously I like his idea enough to steal it, but just thinking out loud.

I'm going to take a pair of the brighter 5mm orange LED's and mount one each behind the lens of the map lights, rather than on the surface of the housing. This should provide a softer, more diffused light, and I think more of an OEM look, which is what I've always looked for in all the mods I do on my Z. I should have the LED's middle of next week, and I'll post some pics after the install.

 

Just got the new mood lighting LEDs installed, and I have to say I think it looks great, and very OEM. I installed one LED behind each map light lens, which creates a soft, even glow, and none of it shines directly in my eyes. The install was also incredibly simple, as the light housing already has a hole in each map light recess, which a 5mm LED fits into perfectly. Anyway, I've posted a pic below. Not great, as I just used my point and shoot camera propped up on the door edge with the window down. The mood lights look a little overexposed, so maybe next week I'll set up my DSLR on a tripod ans shoot a good manual exposure.



EDIT: Forgot to mention, these are the LEDs I used:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-mm-12-Volt-Amber-Orange-LEDs-Color-Diffused-Lens-Pack-of-5-/190844540344?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2c6f3895b8

 

Great looking mod!. Can you post a pic or something to show where you wired them into the system for the always on power? Also some indication of where the LEDs are placed within the light well may be helpful, Or does it matter with the diffusion and all?