IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Help with led strip installation.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-18-12, 10:23 PM
  #1  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Help with led strip installation.

Hi everybody. I am planning to put some led strips in the slot next to the fog lights. I tried Google and YouTube but could not find anything on how to wire the strips to the parking lights. Does it involve any drilling in to the drl cover!? Any information would help. Thanks.
Old 03-18-12, 10:33 PM
  #2  
thISguy350
Pole Position
 
thISguy350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: socal
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

just buy the led headlights that sewell is selling for 1200, that will give you you're led without looking like you own a honda, just sayin
Old 03-18-12, 10:41 PM
  #3  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Can't afford to anymore. Need to slow down on mods since I will be in debt for 30 years.
Old 03-18-12, 11:10 PM
  #4  
thISguy350
Pole Position
 
thISguy350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: socal
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

house payments are no joke... i just took that dive as well... if thats what your talking about...
Old 03-18-12, 11:20 PM
  #5  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yup sf bay area houses are no joke
Old 03-18-12, 11:25 PM
  #6  
kegleyb
Driver
 
kegleyb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If you're focused on a house, don't worry about doing a cheap LED mod. Cheap mods (that look great) for the IS are few and far between IMHO. A house is way more important than your car.

I can't believe I just said that. Save some money, mod later.
Old 03-18-12, 11:58 PM
  #7  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, I its actually not led strips. These are actually individual led bulbs that I drill and fit into the black trim panel. So instead of being stick on, they look like part of the car.

I am stuck on how to wire it to work with the parking light.
Old 03-19-12, 01:34 AM
  #8  
jgbackes
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
jgbackes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Well, there are a couple of issues here. Most LEDs can't be wired directly to the 12VDC that is supplied to standard light bulbs. The LEDs that you get that are already mounted in 12VDC sockets are specially designed to handle the additional voltage.

Did you wire your LEDs in series or Parallel? That makes a difference. Are you planning on using a current limiting resistor?

I did a quick google and found this site that explains it pretty well.

http://white-leds.co.uk/led-wiring-guide.htm

The best way to tap into the driving light's power is to use wire-taps.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2104093

You simply slide them over the existing wires to the lights and crimp them in place.

Good luck and take some pictures!
Old 03-19-12, 07:54 AM
  #9  
brociouz
Uber 1337 Moderator
iTrader: (65)
 
brociouz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NorCal
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

I added a custom LED strip to the same area: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ing-video.html

What part of the Bay Area are you from? You're welcome to swing by sometime to check out how it was wired in my car. I had it go through a custom wireless module, so it will be a bit different than going through the parking lights.
Old 03-19-12, 08:15 AM
  #10  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jgbackes
Well, there are a couple of issues here. Most LEDs can't be wired directly to the 12VDC that is supplied to standard light bulbs. The LEDs that you get that are already mounted in 12VDC sockets are specially designed to handle the additional voltage.

Did you wire your LEDs in series or Parallel? That makes a difference. Are you planning on using a current limiting resistor?

I did a quick google and found this site that explains it pretty well.

http://white-leds.co.uk/led-wiring-guide.htm

The best way to tap into the driving light's power is to use wire-taps.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2104093

You simply slide them over the existing wires to the lights and crimp them in place.

Good luck and take some pictures!
The leds I got are ready to take 12v and they are weather proof. Thanks for the info, I can use it to make other custom led panels. I am a tinkerer/diy-er.
Old 03-19-12, 08:28 AM
  #11  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by brociouz
I added a custom LED strip to the same area: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ing-video.html

What part of the Bay Area are you from? You're welcome to swing by sometime to check out how it was wired in my car. I had it go through a custom wireless module, so it will be a bit different than going through the parking lights.
I live in the city. Can I get more details on the wireless module? The main problem I am having is where to splice power from. I thought about drilling in to the drl/parking panel but want to find another solution first. Thanks for all your inputs so far
Old 03-19-12, 08:57 AM
  #12  
Sffd103
Fire Slayer
iTrader: (16)
 
Sffd103's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NorCal
Posts: 10,548
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

You can also look up 2slow or his business name ledguy. Tim lives in the Richmond district.
Old 03-19-12, 09:23 AM
  #13  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Sffd103
You can also look up 2slow or his business name ledguy. Tim lives in the Richmond district.
Ok thanks, gonna shoot him a pm.
Old 03-19-12, 10:30 AM
  #14  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just want to add that I don't mind wiring it to turn on when the car's on either.
Old 03-20-12, 08:34 AM
  #15  
djzx
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
djzx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I found a solution to do it wirelessly not as clean as wiring it to the parking light or always on.


Quick Reply: Help with led strip installation.



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:07 AM.