Boot LED lighting

Russinating

Russinating

Russinating

Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2005
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Bristol
I'm looking at putting an LED strip in my boot, seen it done a couple of times in my car but the forum I'm on for it is pretty slow and useless so thought I'd come here for some advice and shopping list.

Looks like I need a basic LED strip (this?), something to put that strip in and then some wires to connect to the existing boot light's power. Can anyone spec me up?

It's for a Kia Sportage though I doubt that matters at all for what I need.

This video is very detailed and shows what I need but unfortunately it's in Norwegian or something! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jye8NzgxSo
 
I've seen a few people using the IKEA Dioder range,

e.g. http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00119419/

These are 4 strips encased in plastic with easy mount options..

Or 4 of the round slimline type
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70119425/

Then you need a 12v DC regulator to ensure the 13.8+V from the car's supply does not adversely affect them.
e.g. cheap off ebay.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-VOLT-R...3724398?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item417c9fd76e

Some examples:
http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=178903
http://berthathebus.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/installing-ikea-dioder-lights.html
(They don't use any regulator, but I'd personally say it's a better idea as it will increase the life of the units)
 
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Just watched the video, when he installed it in the car he does have to take a lot of the rear interior apart doesn't he? Nice end result though with the cover still being removable.
 
Go onto the bay. Buy a 5m Roll of White SMD LED Strip (12v). You can buy the 1m if you don't need as many. Should be cheap as chips from abroad.

Simply take a feed from the existing boot light and extend the wires so you can place the strip where ever you want.

For a) safety/peace of mind and b) it looks better, also change the bulb in the boot to a LED SMD type. Again, not expensive. This will mean that the current draw of the strip will not exceed the current limit of the wiring already in place (You should technically do the maths and check that your strip isn't too long but chances are, it won't be.)

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First is a friend's car. Second two are mine. Wanted it to look OEM so it's only a 15/20cm strip
 
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IAmATeaf said:
Just watched the video, when he installed it in the car he does have to take a lot of the rear interior apart doesn't he? Nice end result though with the cover still being removable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, don't think I'll go that far, don't trust myself! Will just install a simple plug on the side for when it needs removing.

AshD93 said:
Go onto the bay. Buy a 5m Roll of White SMD LED Strip (12v). You can buy the 1m if you don't need as many. Should be cheap as chips from abroad.

Simply take a feed from the existing boot light and extend the wires so you can place the strip where ever you want.

For a) safety/peace of mind and b) it looks better, also change the bulb in the boot to a LED SMD type. Again, not expensive. This will mean that the current draw of the strip will not exceed the current limit of the wiring already in place (You should technically do the maths and check that your strip isn't too long but chances are, it won't be.)
Click to expand...

Yeah getting the strip is the easy bit, but I've not really dealt with electronics before so unsure what cable I need to connect it to the courtesy light. Or will literally any copper cable do?
 
Speaker wire will do, LED's don't draw much

I got recommended to use speaker wire, although as I didn't have any I used the wire from an AC adaptor, like you get with radios etc. Anything thicker (sensibly, not crazy) than the wires for the LED strip will be fine
 
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Ta! And can anyone think of what to put the LEDs in? That video shows a neat gutter with a diffuser but I can't for the life of me find anything when searching because it's so vague.
 
Russinating said:
Ta! And can anyone think of what to put the LEDs in? That video shows a neat gutter with a diffuser but I can't for the life of me find anything when searching because it's so vague.
Click to expand...

Do a google for "aluminium strip light channel" and hopefully a link to ebay will appear, not cheap mind.
 
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