Adding LED strip lighting question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 253
From: NorCal
Adding LED strip lighting question
Just got some strip lights to add under the cab to light up the steps. Going to connect them to the OE connector on the frame.
Question: The 3m tape thats on the strip doesn't seem very sticky. What did you guys use to enforce them staying in place? How did you secure them?
Thank you
Question: The 3m tape thats on the strip doesn't seem very sticky. What did you guys use to enforce them staying in place? How did you secure them?
Thank you
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 303
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From: SE Wisconsin
Make sure you use neutral cure silicone and not acetic cure for anything like this, especially if it involves electronics. The acetic cure silicones (smells like vinegar while curing, sometimes known as acetoxy silicone) release acetic acid which will promote corrosion. Neutral cure silicones typically release methanol instead, have little if any smell while curing and don't have the corrosion problems.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 322
Likes: 100
Thx kluger, Good information to know. I'd never heard that and I am now thinking about all the electrical connection I used silicone on to waterproof. I just finished completely restoring a late 1970's Case 580C tractor. Made a new wire harness for it and used many plug connectors.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 303
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From: SE Wisconsin
It probably won't cause problems especially if it's in an 'exterior' or un-confined spot where it gets plenty of air while curing. Worst case is using it on electronics in an enclosure - that's where I learned this lesson. The older versions of neutral cure weren't quite as good as adhesives but nowadays I don't think there is much difference. If I have a choice, I'd prefer to use something that doesn't promote corrosion - there's enough of that around without any help!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
People are using the VHB tape to hold solar panels on the roof of vehicles (like vans). Apparently it's crazy sticky.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 253
From: NorCal
Thanks for all the tips..I wiped the area down lightly with some acetone...The 3M tape stuck well and im sure it will be even better with a little cure time. I may use some silicone at another time dut im sure this is going to work as is.
Now I need to find the OE plug that fits into the OE connector
Thanks again
Now I need to find the OE plug that fits into the OE connector
Thanks again
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 30
From: Spokane, WA
Thanks
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 253
From: NorCal
Do you have a picture of this plug or the location? I'm guessing that it will provide power when you unlock the truck, doors open, probably tied to the dome lights. I have a set of ADD steps on my 19 F150 that I am going to pull and put on my F350 when it gets here. They have LEDs in them and I currently have it run into the cab to turn on and off along with the dome lights. A power source that works the same under the truck would be nice.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 253
From: NorCal
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 30
From: Spokane, WA
Thanks. I take it those are switched with the dome lights/doors? Even if you can't get an OEM plug, simple cut, solder together, and heat shrink.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 30
From: Spokane, WA
Could you pull the pins from the black and modify/put them in the cap/plug from your rig?
