Running board lighting
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
Running board lighting
I want to add an extra LED strip light under my running boards for extra light on the ground. Mine has lights on top at either end. I can tap them into the existing wires and get them to come on with the running board lights easily. My question is that I would like them to also come on with park/running lights. Has anyone here ever hooked up some lights to 2 power sources. I believe that by putting diodes on the power lines I can prevent power feedback. But will I overload the lights if I open the door with them already on at night? Does anyone know of a gadget that takes 2 12v inputs and switches, putting out 12v?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 882
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From: Eastern CT
You could tap into the light wires you want to run them off and use relays so you're not adding much extra power to the light circuits. You might have to use two seperate relays for the two sources, but I would have to think more about that.
Red
Red
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
What color lights are you wanting to add?
It would be best to use white LEDS to come on with the running board lights and Yellow/Amber to come on with the Park/Running lights. This would also be legal, whereas having white lights (even pointing down to the ground) showing on the side of the vehicle when in motion may not be.
It would be best to use white LEDS to come on with the running board lights and Yellow/Amber to come on with the Park/Running lights. This would also be legal, whereas having white lights (even pointing down to the ground) showing on the side of the vehicle when in motion may not be.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 79
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From: Knoxville TN
Good points. Are all those vehicles running around lit up like christmas trees with green and blue lights illegal then. Even though cops seem to have something better to do than stop them, but if illegal does give them probable cause for a stop.
Putting white ones to come on with existing running board lights will probably happen first. Should just go with updated mirrors with the lights on them to get extra visibility.
Putting white ones to come on with existing running board lights will probably happen first. Should just go with updated mirrors with the lights on them to get extra visibility.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
Short answer is NO.
It's a Federal DOT thing, not state by state, but of course like everything else, it's a local Law Enforcement choice how hard to push it.
Basically every side showing light from the front of the vehicle to the rear axle has to be Yellow/Amber and all lights from the rear axle back need to be red. Only Yellow/Amber and White lights can show to the front and no white lights can show to the rear when moving forward (Why license plate lights have shields on them).
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Western AR
Tom, Texas does allow amber turns in the back, but that is the only exception to what you wrote.
here is what I recently did to mine:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ok-normal.html
here is what I recently did to mine:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ok-normal.html
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,550
From: Media PA
Tom, Texas does allow amber turns in the back, but that is the only exception to what you wrote.
here is what I recently did to mine:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ok-normal.html
here is what I recently did to mine:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ok-normal.html
Yes, Amber rear turn signals are allowed, I missed that, but they can only be lit while flashing, not as running lights. I have often thought of swapping in a set of the early Econoline van rear lights with the Amber turn signal onto the EX, just for something different.
I really liked your puddle light LED install.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: SE PA
I put a sort of puddle lights on my Ex when it was new. Mine are blue LED strips mounted on the bottom of the door jamb at each door. When the doors open, they light up the running boards and surrounding area. My truck didn't come with the lighted boards.
These are tapped into the dome light circuit.
My concern about having them light with the [arking light circuit is the legality. Regardless of the color, I expect they'd be considered "non-essential" lighting (like the neon kits) and I'm thinking you'd get the attention of law enforcement. Having them work with the dome light circuit is no problem.
Tom...I did do the Econoline light swap. The wiring is a bit of a project...especially if you want your trailer lighting to work correctly. I can provide some pointers if it's a help...
These are tapped into the dome light circuit.
My concern about having them light with the [arking light circuit is the legality. Regardless of the color, I expect they'd be considered "non-essential" lighting (like the neon kits) and I'm thinking you'd get the attention of law enforcement. Having them work with the dome light circuit is no problem.
Tom...I did do the Econoline light swap. The wiring is a bit of a project...especially if you want your trailer lighting to work correctly. I can provide some pointers if it's a help...
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