I'm thinking of adding some waterproof led strips to my X.
What I'm looking for in starting this thread is perhaps someone having done one or more of the projects, and the experience that comes along with that.

I want to do a few different things. Cornering headlights, courtesy lights under the map pocket on the front doors, extra reverse lights and "ground effect" style lighting to light the ground underneath the running boards, and an under hood light.

These are the ones I'm looking at. I like the "warm" not the "cool" white.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCB-Black-5050-SMD-5M-300-Led-Strip-Non-Waterproof-Warm-White-12V-5A-Power-/370787617513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5654aa0ae9

I'll add pics of the work as I do it.

 

you better look for "waterproof" led lights if you want to mount them outside your vehicle. the link you posted is for "non-waterproof led's". can't wait to see what you do with them.

DOE

 

I just ordered a spool just like that, only waterproof, off ebay from another seller that's here in the states. Was around $19 I believe. they showed up and only maybe a fifth or less of the lit up. Had to send them back and have received a new spool but have not yet tested them. If they check out, im gonna do the running board lighting mod with them

 

I have done my cargo carrier, corner markers, running boards, and center console with that style leds. You need water proof and I think they are better because it smooths the strip out. They also have a 600 led strip that is brighter for not much more money.

 

Oops, the link I posted was the ones I'll be adding inside my motorhome. The ones I get got my X will be waterproof.

I'd like to hear back if those LEDs on your new strip work or not. What kelvin temperature did you buy? I'm looking at between 5k and 3k.

 

Would that be a 10 meter strip, or a 5 meter with the LEDs close together?

 

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.

 

You lit the inside of your center console?

 

5m with the leds close together.

 

I took 9 of the leds and wired in a micro switch. Kind of like a fridge.

 

Ah crap! Another use for LED's!! I've already spent too much this month on LED lighting!

 

I'm looking to use the 5050 LEDs because I have done and know their brightness to be more than sufficient. I recently replaced my motorhome interior lights with some boards with 24 of the 5050 LEDs on them and they were far superior to the stock incandescent bulbs at the 4.3 watts they run at. If I install two rows of 8" I can put 24 LEDs in that 8" section at 120 degrees light distribution. From the porch light on my motorhome I also replaced with the same I've described, I can tell I will be happy with the amount of light they will put out for my cornering headlight installation. I plan on putting them on the black thinngymahjigger under my front bumper.

William 04: I'm very impressed with your post. I plan to do the same ground effects as you but in a warm white on all three of my vehicles including a 34' motorhome, a 31' travel trailer and my X. I am interested to know more about the led tubes. Ill do s but it research, but if you have more to say that would be great.

When I do my X ground effects I had planned on running the LEDs on the frame pointing out. I couldn't find a good place on the running boards to place a self ad festive strip that l could see. I grew up with a carpenter/contractor for a father and have grown accustomed to his appreciation for a s#!t ton of light. We added extra light every opportunity we had.

On a side note, has anyone had any experience with LED replacement headlamps?

 

I'm on my phone, so cut me some slack on my spelling and complete sentences...

 

On my "cornering headlights" I guess I'm assuming there will be a constant wire I can tap into that comes on when I put my blinker on. I'll be getting my voltmeter out soon.

Does anyone else have the problem where the blinker doesn't want to stay on if the steering wheel is right on the position where it would turn the turn signal off?

 

Here is what I did for the running board lights

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...&postcount=170