[complete noob] Footwell Lights

by **SH30RB** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:11 pm

the title says it all...
im hopeless when it comes to car electricals.

i got my footwell lights off Leo in the post today and i want to hook them up to my courtesy lights in the doors.
HOW DO I?

any help is greatly appreciated guys

if your on facebook, ill return the favor with 'likes' :wink:

by **Smithyy** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:30 pm

"likes" is a form of payment?? haha

by **mynameisdaniel** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:37 pm

Depends how you want them to work really, do you want them all to come on when a door is opened, or just the one associated with the door? Front and rear?

by **SH30RB** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:33 pm

Smithyy wrote:"likes" is a form of payment?? haha

they dont call me Simon 'like machine' Hansen for nothing

mynameisdaniel wrote:Depends how you want them to work really, do you want them all to come on when a door is opened, or just the one associated with the door? Front and rear?

i think its how taylor has wired his up, so one side comes on when that same side door is opened ie drivers door opens, drivers footwell lights up
i only get two strips for the front seat footwells, i dont care about the back seat passengers :wink:

by **seanmau5** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:56 pm

Are you in Sydney atm? I'm on holidays & would be happy to help you.

by **SH30RB** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:08 am

seanmau5 wrote:Are you in Sydney atm? I'm on holidays & would be happy to help you.

2 hour drive to sydney for me

are you still on holidays next week? im planning on going to the dinner next wednesday, could knock over two birds in one stone?

by **seanmau5** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:13 am

SH30RB wrote:
seanmau5 wrote:Are you in Sydney atm? I'm on holidays & would be happy to help you.

2 hour drive to sydney for me
are you still on holidays next week? im planning on going to the dinner next wednesday, could knock over two birds in one stone?

Unfortunately not and it's a little hard to do in the dark. I have nothing to do tomorrow so I will report back with the colours of the wires that the positive & negative wires of the LED strips are tapped in to. I'm sure it would be uniform across all cars

by **seanmau5** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:19 pm

Did some research.

Drivers footwell:
Positive - blue/red
Negative - blue/white

Passenger footwell:
Positive - blue/red
Negative - black/white

I remember posting this picture elsewhere but use some of these. I got mine from Robbos spare parts but I'm sure Repco or Supercheap will have them too.

You simply put each wire that you are connecting between the little metal prongy looking things and clip the tab back over the top. I wrapped them in electrical tape to safeguard against shorting out.

by **SH30RB** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:28 pm

seanmau5 wrote:Did some research.

Drivers footwell:
Positive - blue/red
Negative - blue/white

Passenger footwell:
Positive - blue/red
Negative - black/white

I remember posting this picture elsewhere but use some of these. I got mine from Robbos spare parts but I'm sure Repco or Supercheap will have them too.

You simply put each wire that you are connecting between the little metal prongy looking things and clip the tab back over the top. I wrapped them in electrical tape to safeguard against shorting out.

thanks sean, this helps a lot! :biggrin:

obviously you have to strip the plastic/rubber back to expose the wire before you put it in the little clip?

by **Robbks** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:34 pm

no you just bang them over the wire and close it.
it cuts into the insulation when closed.

NOTE: Scotch-Locks (as pictured) are dogsh!t
for <$50 you can buy a soldering iron and set of automatic wire strippers from Jaycar and solder them in PROPERLY

strippers like these

by **seanmau5** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:52 pm

Robbks wrote:no you just bang them over the wire and close it.
it cuts into the insulation when closed.

NOTE: Scotch-Locks (as pictured) are dogsh!t
for <$50 you can buy a soldering iron and set of automatic wire strippers from Jaycar and solder them in PROPERLY

strippers like these

I agree 100% about soldering them in properly, but wasn't completely confident in soldering in an area so fiddly. Touchwood, my taps have been fine so far

by **SH30RB** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:38 pm

i wish i saw this earlier...

i went out and got some wire taps/scotch locks because dad had none laying around.

ill try them first, and if they fail ill just go the soldering route

by **AlpineRaven** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:15 pm

Robbks wrote:no you just bang them over the wire and close it.
it cuts into the insulation when closed.

NOTE: Scotch-Locks (as pictured) are dogsh!t
for <$50 you can buy a soldering iron and set of automatic wire strippers from Jaycar and solder them in PROPERLY

strippers like these

I love that tool!!!!! Ive got about 3 of them!!!! use it nearly everyday and it does the job properly. - YOU can get them as low as $15-17. Anything more than $30 not worth it.
Cheers
AP

by **SH30RB** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:12 pm

so im a tad stuck again.
Leo sent me the two LED strips and 4 connectors, do i need to use 2 connecters per single strip? or can i get away with just the one.

and im also unsure which wires on the connectors are positive and negative..

but i had a good look/play around in the passengers side footwell just before, and spotted the wires you posted Sean

by **seanmau5** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 2:48 am

You just need one connector per strip. I think the connector with the white line on it is positive??? Leo will know for sure. But it definitely needs to be the right way around otherwise the strip won't light up.