LED strip additions
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
Being most vehicles are 12V+ positive systems makes adding LED's really simple. I'd use WP LED's strips for both interior, and exterior applications. They're a little harder to work with when it comes to the corners, but are much more durable. With tight corners you'll need to cut the strips, and solder in jumpers. WP's are also much easier to clean when necessary. 5050 type are about 3X brighter than 3528's. They will give off a little heat.
Your underhood, and interior courtesy lights will be the easiest projects. These are also best suited for strip LED's. Deciding how you want them switched will be the hardest part. Staying with a static color, or using RGB's with a color controller is also something to consider for the interior. Wherever you mount them, don't just rely on the sticky back tape they come with. Use supplemental adhesive(silicone), or mechanical fasteners to make sure they stay put. I opened up my RZR headlights to add a few accent LED's. Silicone has kept them solid.
The ground effect lighting is pretty straight forward also. Don't think the LED's need to be all the way out to the edges of the vehicle to produce the desired effect. Pulling them inboard at least 8" will give the best results. Mounting can be tricky, and planning here will take some time. Undercar LED tube kits really are worth the cost in this situation. Mounting is easier, and the tubes are very durable. I mounted almost 100 lin/ft of LED tubes under my TH 7+ years ago, and haven't had a single failure. I had a trailer tire blowout at highway speed, and the 36" tube in that wheel well didn't hardly get a scratch. Strips would have been destroyed as the rubber and belts thrashed around.
Using LED strips for cornering or reverse lights may not produce the effect your looking for. Without any reflectors, the light won't be really focused and you'll just be able to add some glow that won't be thrown any practical distance. Adding more strips can increase the intensity.
Just this past weekend I finished the cabinet lighting in my second house. Led strips are great to give off a glow. The under cabs are cool white 5050 60/M and bright as ^&#$.
I'm an electrician in Vegas. I put LED's on pretty much anything/everything.
Your underhood, and interior courtesy lights will be the easiest projects. These are also best suited for strip LED's. Deciding how you want them switched will be the hardest part. Staying with a static color, or using RGB's with a color controller is also something to consider for the interior. Wherever you mount them, don't just rely on the sticky back tape they come with. Use supplemental adhesive(silicone), or mechanical fasteners to make sure they stay put. I opened up my RZR headlights to add a few accent LED's. Silicone has kept them solid.
The ground effect lighting is pretty straight forward also. Don't think the LED's need to be all the way out to the edges of the vehicle to produce the desired effect. Pulling them inboard at least 8" will give the best results. Mounting can be tricky, and planning here will take some time. Undercar LED tube kits really are worth the cost in this situation. Mounting is easier, and the tubes are very durable. I mounted almost 100 lin/ft of LED tubes under my TH 7+ years ago, and haven't had a single failure. I had a trailer tire blowout at highway speed, and the 36" tube in that wheel well didn't hardly get a scratch. Strips would have been destroyed as the rubber and belts thrashed around.
Using LED strips for cornering or reverse lights may not produce the effect your looking for. Without any reflectors, the light won't be really focused and you'll just be able to add some glow that won't be thrown any practical distance. Adding more strips can increase the intensity.
Just this past weekend I finished the cabinet lighting in my second house. Led strips are great to give off a glow. The under cabs are cool white 5050 60/M and bright as ^&#$.
I'm an electrician in Vegas. I put LED's on pretty much anything/everything.
I thpught neon was what vegas is all about??
How you got tgatcunder cabinet lighting wired and such i would love to do that to mine
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
I know how u feel im thinking about getting a keyboard for the dammm iphone!!!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
The replacement spool worked perfectly and was of the cool white color. As soon as I figure out where the freakin running board light feed is on my 150, ill get them mounted. thinking of putting some on the ex's running boards too
p.s. the item number for mine was 180989095030
p.s. the item number for mine was 180989095030
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Wa
I went to install my under hood lamp and it wont turn off. I bypassed the stock light fixture and tapped on to the power going into it. Is there a switch inside that thing?
I suppose I should have used some acetone on the painted part I stuck it to as well. It doesn't stick very well and I'm going to have to put some double stick foam tape behind it to make sure it sticks.
Definitely MUCH brighter though. Also, the light coming from a wide strip like that eliminates the dark shadow under you or your hand while you're under there.
I suppose I should have used some acetone on the painted part I stuck it to as well. It doesn't stick very well and I'm going to have to put some double stick foam tape behind it to make sure it sticks.
Definitely MUCH brighter though. Also, the light coming from a wide strip like that eliminates the dark shadow under you or your hand while you're under there.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
I ordered a few different strips off eBay the other night to do the under hood strip.
Also ordered some to use as my day time running lights. Be a few weeks as they coming from china, but I'll update as I install, with pics.
Also ordered some to use as my day time running lights. Be a few weeks as they coming from china, but I'll update as I install, with pics.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Magnolia, TX
What did you connect the courtesy lights to? I'm thinking of doing this also but I have the tube style running boards that do no have lights already on them
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