Electrical connection question

[The Mangonel]

Hey Dave (or whoever can answer the question) I need to know where in the cabin I can connect to a 12v source. I want one that is on when the engine is on, but off when the power is shut off. This is to connect a switch for lighting LED running lights on the front of the car. I have the lights connected and grounded in the engine compartment. I have also run an electrical wire to the inside of the cabin. I have to connect my switch yet and supply electrical power. I'm thinking of placing the switch on the right side of the dash or on the center console. Any ideas on where to connect for my electrical source?

[repiv]

Hey Dave (or whoever can answer the question) I need to know where in the cabin I can connect to a 12v source. I want one that is on when the engine is on, but off when the power is shut off. This is to connect a switch for lighting LED running lights on the front of the car. I have the lights connected and grounded in the engine compartment. I have also run an electrical wire to the inside of the cabin. I have to connect my switch yet and supply electrical power. I'm thinking of placing the switch on the right side of the dash or on the center console. Any ideas on where to connect for my electrical source?

On your underdash fuse panel, there are 3 empty spade connectors for adding extra stuff to the car. You want the one that is "ON" with ignition. These take 1/4" female spade connectors. See the following for the location:
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/26307/2592734300025981935S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2592734300025981935qVxOhx)

[The Mangonel]

Thanks Dave. You're da' man!

[Looter]

I drilled a hole, by my left knee, just to the left side of the steering wheel, and installed a lighted rocker switch to my lights.....ran the wire over to the "Constant-On" 1/4" spade that Dave has diagramed....That way I can turn them off/on...when I want...and also when the car is not running...

[repiv]

Ray, you're welcome, bud. You may have your own reasons for installing a separate switch, so I won't say you don't need one, but wiring it to "ignition" is like having it switched already. Like you, I sometimes like the option of turning the accessory off at will and still have the ability to let the car turn it on and off when I fire it up. I've installed switches in the driver's knee panel, left of the steering column, close to the door opening. You have to go through the soft padding material, so the switch must have a long enough shank on it.

[The Mangonel]

Thanks again Dave. Here are the results.
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/themangonel/button.jpg
This is where I located the button. When the LED lights are on, it has a blue LED. Easy access for use, and not too much trouble to install.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/themangonel/closeup.jpg
Close up of the lights. Not too visible when off.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/themangonel/lightsout.jpg
Front with lights off.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/themangonel/lightson.jpg
End result with lights on. Now those are visible!

They may not be for everyone, but I like to be visible. And with our foggy or misty weather around here, a white car just doesn't show up.

Now all I have to do is put all the panels back on under the engine compartment.

[repiv]

That's a great place for the button and I like those lights. You've seen my LED DRLs. I'm thinking of peeling them off and making circles out of them instead, sort of like BMWs "angel eyes".

[CitadelBlue]

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/themangonel/lightson.jpg



I've been looking for something to go into that spot ..... Where did you find those lights .... part number?

[The Mangonel]

I picked them up at Auto Zone. Didn't have to order them, they were just shelf items. Unfortunately, I was very efficient at cleaning up (for once) and all the packaging was thrown away yesterday. They are flexible edge LED's and came in a package of 28." It was actually two 14" strips. They are almost exactly the right length for the fake vents. Ensure you get edge LEDs. The regular flexible strip LEDs are mounted in the center of a 1/4" strip. If you look closely at mine, you can see they are mounted on the edge of the strip instead.

[The Mangonel]

By the way, they were only $25. And it only took me two days to install everything!

[repiv]

Here's a place I've been buying mine:
http://www.oznium.com/flexible-led-strips
I'm going to have to advise that you can get these LED strips way, way, way cheaper from ebay. About 1/5 the cost, including shipping.

[The Mangonel]

Don't know if this will work, but try this site, bottom of page 2. The lights are Alpena, part no. 77015.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accessoriesShelf.jsp?itemId=724-10&navValue=100724&categoryDisplayName=Appearance and Personalization&fromWhere=&categoryNValue=&parentId=1-10&currentPage=2&pageNumber=2&brandNValue=&lastPageNo=6&displayName=LED Exterior Accessories&fromString=&fromType=&sortType=&filterByKeyword=&appQuestionId=&nysQFromType=&ansQListString=

[CitadelBlue]

Don't know if this will work, but try this site, bottom of page 2. The lights are Alpena, part no. 77015.



Thanks .. I'll see what the local Auto Zone has... I assume the switch came from there too ...

[The Mangonel]

Actually, I've had the switch for several years. Don't remember where I got it. But, switches are a dime a dozen. Choose your style!

[repiv]

I amended my previous post with the link to "Oznium". I've since found the exact same LED strips on ebay (out of Hong Kong) for a fraction of the cost. For us Cannucks, Oznium would charge us 20 bucks to ship this tiny package. The ebay seller not only includes the shipping, but charges 1/5 the price. 4 bucks for 2 strips delivered to my mailbox.

[desmo4]

To bad you are where you are. Ozium will ship to OR for $4 or $8 for Priority. I replaced my trunk light and side turn signals. And I going to replace the dome light soon.

Jonathan

[pezjunki]

Love those lights around the "vents", looks like fangs!

[repiv]

To bad you are where you are. Ozium will ship to OR for $4 or $8 for Priority. I replaced my trunk light and side turn signals. And I going to replace the dome light soon.

Jonathan
I know. Many US companies are aligned with USPS and they set their rates for "commercial" shipping to Canada. I can have the same LED strips sent to Gomarlins in Idaho for 4 bucks and he sends them to me for about the same. If the seller wanted to, they could send it to me as a private citizen and bypass the USPS commercial rate but that's a lot of work. I do business with an RC helicopter seller in Florida who will send my stuff "privately". Whenever I can, I buy stuff off ebay and in this case, the same strips come from Hong Kong for next to nothing. They look the same and I'm expecting them to perform the same, but time will tell. They'll be installed right next to the Ozniums I have on the car already.

[The Mangonel]

Funny you should mention the "fangs." The first time I took it out I went to the Bangor Sub Base. The gate guard said the lights looked like - you guessed it - fangs. Maybe I'll have to name my car FANG!