Hey guys,
I bought some prewired LEDs from Autozone (Pilot brand..10 bucks, resistor'd for 12v already). I was wondering where's the best place to get the 12v. The LEDs will be in the cupholder. I saw some plugs near the shifter. Can I tap from there?

Also, what is the best way to tap it? I don't want to do a solder/electrical tape job. If I can get the LEDs to turn on when the other lights (gauge, headlights, etc) are on, that would be great. If not, anyone know if I can order a OEM push button switch?

Thanks

 

You can buy the same type of switches at Radio Shack.

I couldn't help with which wire to tap to get them on with the other lights, but if you are going to use a switch, I plan on just tapping the power on the back of the cig lighter and grounding to the metal pole right near it there.

Randode might be able to point you to the right wires, it sounds like he knows his stuff in this area.

Personally, I've come to decide that I want all my decorative lights to be separated from the required equipment. Just in case...

 

use the wires that power the illumination for the shifter..that way you can control brightness using the dimmer switch...that's how i did mine...as far as what u can use, T-Taps would be the quickest way but it's better to solder IMO


PEACE

 

Damn, good call. Those are getting tapped tonight! :twisted:

 

Which plug is that? the blue one? Tap the green wire?

Thanks

 

you should see a four-wire plug thats not plugged into anything (did that make sense?) that has a green wire, a green and black wire, and 2 white wires. tap into the solid green wire to have the led turn on when the parking light is on.
hope that helped.

 

As for t-taps, I was very surprised that the dealership also used t-taps. I was removing the center console from a Hot Lava, and noticed that the dealership used t-taps.... funny thing is, when an aftermarket alarm is installed using t-taps, the dealership will void the warranty....



use the wires that power the illumination for the shifter..that way you can control brightness using the dimmer switch...that's how i did mine...as far as what u can use, T-Taps would be the quickest way but it's better to solder IMO


PEACE[/quote]

 

Exactly what Tryx said. The blue plug next to shifter.. tap in to the solid green VOILA!

 

I used the green and got power but it doesn't dim. Oh, well, could be the LEDs I'm using. Still, it's a good connect and I added two more lights to my center console while I was at it...

 

the same...

 

Since the plug isn't plugged into anything, the trick think to do is get the mating plug and use it instead of tapping into the wires.

If you must tap, avoid scotchlok connectors. They should be called "corrosion promotion devices. They work fine for the first few months, then go intermittant.

Nothing beats solder and heat shrink tubing for workmanlike taps.

George

 

Yeah, I went ahead and just stuck the wire in the plug and taped it up. I didn't want to tap the wire. Also, my LEDs don't seem to dim... =\

 

be careful about resisting CCFLs, if you put them too low, you will lose them. I haven't had this happen first hand, but I have been warned. I have had this happen with neons, i think at about 5 or 6v, they flicker out, and I don't know what it does, but they wouldn't light up again.

Im thinking about putting together a light bar using LEDs, since you can't really underpower an LED, it'll just turn off. I have seen it done before, it wouldn't really work for underdash, or underseat lighting, but more for accents. It would essentially be a plastic tube, about 3/16" in diameter, with leds at the end shining into it, its a clean effect.

It would look something like this:

=|> ====================== <|=
led ^ - - - - - - ^ tube ^ - - - - - - ^ led

It is its brightest at the ends, but not much lighter in the middle, its a good gradient effect, I was thinking for along the cd holder slot, above the glove compartment, or maybe even along the inside edge of the glove compartment.

This option would be even cheaper than buying the $9 CCFL at Fry's, since all you have to buy is a few LEDs (depending on color, $2 - $4), a plastic tube ($.50), capacitors ($.50), dpdt switch ($.99), wires (find some, or buy a whole roll for a buck).

 

The BEST place to tap.. run a wire straight onto a hook terminal on the positive terminal of the battery. That is the BEST place to tap.

Andrew

 

Very true. There's even a nice bolt for your ring terminal. Don't forget the in-line fuse near the battery if you run a direct wire!

George

 

Indeed. If you're not running many lights, I would incorporate a 5 amp fuse. If you're going psycho like me, i'll be using a 50 amp fuse. :D

Andrew