Quote:
Originally Posted by itzbinnice
I am considering adding more light to the trunk of my 08 LX sedan. I came up with this possibility. I intend to mount a 12" LCD light bar using two sided tape right behind the existing light fixture.
I want to keep things as simple as possible, I don't want to use a cold cathode tube since it requires a transformer and adding more clutter. The LCD can be wired direct to the existing switch.
From what I could see I discovered the trunk light does not operate on a mercury switch, the only time it will shut off is when you close the trunk. Within the locking assembly, when the trunk is closed it breaks the negative wire going to the light, the light has a constant hot on in it. Doing the littlest damage possible my intentions are to solder two wires directly to the switch and snake them in to the existing short harness to the LCD light bar for a nice clean install.
If you remove your trunk light you will see two exposed brass bars one is hot, the other a ground. I want to solder in two small male terminals to these bars, then connect the two female connectors wires going to the LED bar. I suppose I could just solder the wires to the bars but I’d like something a little stronger. In theory this setup should work using the existing wire with no damage due to splices. If down the road you're not happy, simply unsolder the two terminals from the switch, pull out the wires, and remove the bar and you'll be back to original factory setup.
For those not having soldering irons, if you use two T-taps into the existing wire should work, but you will have to remove the short piece of wire loom to get at the wires, and more than likely leave it off once the tap has been made.
Two problems I am having, I can't seem to locate a 12" led bar that is rigid and comes with two sided tape. I did a google search as well as superbrightleds.com and unable to find a suitable bar. The second problem is the male terminals that will need to be soldered. I would need a terminal configured with a 90 degree material. One part of the terminal flat that I could solder to the switch, the other portion of it shaped that it will accept a small female terminal.
Any opinions on this setup are welcome as well as suggestions of what bar to use and how or where to get the terminals needed for the connection to the LCD light bar.
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As for a usable LED light bar, they can be found at most walmarts and pepboys, they are a standard brand that makes them and they will definitely work
BUT
u obviously missed that im in the middle of a DIY 3W led setup, which will throw out 95 lumens into the already there reflector, no soldering on your car... meaning ur warranty will still be intact!!!!
As for the flank leds, warden sells 1W NONPOLAR ones... problem is my package got lost and hes being a dick to me about it
im waiting another week to see if i get them then im filing a claim
if ne other people have had problems with him please let me know
Now ive received my 3W blue (35 lumens) and my 3W white led (95 lumens) as my test subjects for a custom festoon bulb and trunk light, but i got the wrong resistors!!!!
for 12-13volt operation u need a 12 or 15 ohm resistor (go with the 15 for safer operation) but i dont know wat wattage resistor i need yet, i gotta go back to my alternator to find that out (if someone knows private message me and ill go about picking it up at radio shack and finishing the DIY)
the 3W led will provide more lumens than the light bar and will use the stock reflector, for good light distribution!!