Wiring internal LED lights Options

[marblesmike]

Hey folks,

I'm planning on adding some interior LED lighting. I'm thinking of starting off with the footwell area. I'd preferably like the lights to only go on when my headlights go on. Any suggestions on where to wire the lights? I know I could wire them behind the cig lighter but then they'd be on always. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[The_enD]

Hey folks,

I'm planning on adding some interior LED lighting. I'm thinking of starting off with the footwell area. I'd preferably like the lights to only go on when my headlights go on. Any suggestions on where to wire the lights? I know I could wire them behind the cig lighter but then they'd be on always. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Headlights or parking lights, to be clear?

[JoshuaM]

Any reason why you want that? Wouldn't it be more usable to have then turn on when the doors opened? Just having them on when you are driving would probably get a little distracting at night.

If you did want to do it that way, I know the CD player has an input to dim the lights when the headlights are turned on. You could run power from the cig. lighter and with a transistor acting as an automatic switch on that stereo input wire. That would mean they would come on when both the lights are on, and the car is on (or in acc.)

This post has been edited by JoshuaM: Jul 31, 2013 - 6:22 PM

[rentaspace]

I got mine linked to a double pole switch, on side is positive to a constant 12v and the other goes to the kick panel relay box and taps into the positive door light wire. This way I have full control over the LEDs. I can have them on when the door opens and off when the cops pull me over or on constantly for showing off like a dick hahaha

The switch cost like $2 as well, only difference is that it has up and down

Just remember to use the positives to the outer connections and the single ground to the centre connection on the switch or you will have them on when you don't want and off when you do

This post has been edited by rentaspace: Aug 1, 2013 - 10:04 AM

[marblesmike]

Okay, so what I ended up doing was getting one of those adapters at Pep Boys that has 6 wire terminals with switches and a 12v car adapter plug. I snipped off the plug and wired it to the back of the cigarette lighter. Then put 9 inch led strips in both footwells and 3 inch led strips behind the two center vents. I'd like to remount the ones in the vents because now I can clearly see the LED strip when lit and I'd like it to be a bit more ambient. Other than that though it looks great and I can switch the lights on/off whenever I'd like to.

[rentaspace]

Okay, so what I ended up doing was getting one of those adapters at Pep Boys that has 6 wire terminals with switches and a 12v car adapter plug. I snipped off the plug and wired it to the back of the cigarette lighter. Then put 9 inch led strips in both footwells and 3 inch led strips behind the two center vents. I'd like to remount the ones in the vents because now I can clearly see the LED strip when lit and I'd like it to be a bit more ambient. Other than that though it looks great and I can switch the lights on/off whenever I'd like to.

Throw a pic up of the vents once you got them the way you want

[marblesmike]

Okay, so what I ended up doing was getting one of those adapters at Pep Boys that has 6 wire terminals with switches and a 12v car adapter plug. I snipped off the plug and wired it to the back of the cigarette lighter. Then put 9 inch led strips in both footwells and 3 inch led strips behind the two center vents. I'd like to remount the ones in the vents because now I can clearly see the LED strip when lit and I'd like it to be a bit more ambient. Other than that though it looks great and I can switch the lights on/off whenever I'd like to.

Throw a pic up of the vents once you got them the way you want

Haven't gotten around to it yet, but I've installing new speakers today so maybe I'll redo the lights too. Anyone here have any suggestions for mounting LEDs in the vents and where to place them?