Splice LED light strip into courtesy lamps?

[aceshi21]

Please excuse my electrical design ignorance, I have some experience cutting and splicing, tracing, etc, of wiring, but electrical design not so much.

So, my question is, I want to install a few smallish lengths of customizable sized led led light strips into the back hatch area. My thoughts are a 1-2 foot section on both sides and about a 2-3 foot section onto the rear hatch door card. I want them to come on when I open any one of my doors. My initial thought was to track the power line to the dome/courtesy lamps for the middle dome and rear dome.

Am I on the right track? Is there enough power in these circuits to properly power the led strips?

Again, thanks in advance and I apologize if this is basic, my ignorance makes me ask this. I have searched and haven't been able to find the specific answer I am looking for. Thanks!!!

 

[SpidermanGeek]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222110-rear-cargo-light-install.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102924-rear-cargo-lighting-option.html

 

[aceshi21]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222110-rear-cargo-light-install.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102924-rear-cargo-lighting-option.html

Awesome! Thanks, gets me on the right path.

Not sure why these didn't show up when I was searching. Maybe I didn't use the right verbiage.

 

[AntleredRuin]

The dome lamp should be just fine. May need to change the fuse for a larger amperage fuse because you're adding more lights, though.

Make sure that you run individual lines for each strip and don't run them in tandem. That way you'll have a full 12v going to each run from the dome light.

Not sure if you've ever worked with LEDs, but they are polarity sensitive. They will not light if the polarity is wrong.
Make sure that the LED strip is 12v though or you'll burn it out if you don't have a resister inline.

An easy and completely reversible way to attach them is to simply wrap either wire around the ends of the dome light 'bulb holder'. One end is positive, one is negative. Easy polarity. There's a hole in each end that you can thread the wire through and then just wrap tight. Then insert the dome bulb again over the wrapped wire. Will be snug, but it will fit. Solder if you want a tighter connection. No wire slicing necessary.

I've not run LED strips, but I inserted multiple LEDs in place of the stock dome light just because I can.

I'll attach pictures soon.

 

[aceshi21]

That's helpful too!

I have considered also adding led bulbs into the dome light housings as well to help with more light output. Is it considerably more with what you've done?

 

[AntleredRuin]

Big picture, but lets you see the little holes on either mount that the LED wires can run to. I soldered them for a bit of extra 'grip'.
This is definitely the ghetto way of doing it; there are LEDs specifically for dome lights. I just had a 100 pack of these and thought I'd mess around during my lunch break.

It's pretty bright, but definitely a difference in brightness when the T4R is running vs not running. Difference between 12v and 14.1v, I guess. You really notice with LEDs vs standard bulbs.
Also, will not work without being grounded by actually having the assembly attached to the ceiling. I thought I'd test before reattaching to save a few seconds just in case, but no go.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That's helpful too!

I have considered also adding led bulbs into the dome light housings as well to help with more light output. Is it considerably more with what you've done?

LEDs are wonderful because they draw very, very little amps. I don't have a single incandecent bulb in my car, besides the instrument panel (I also don't have dead batteries anymore!) You can most certainly add LED's to any of the dome light circuits and not have to worry about fuses, upgrading wiring, or anything like that. That's what makes them so easy to use. I have these in my dome & cargo light, love the light output and no wiring! 5 X Warm White 5630 24-LED Car Festoon T10 BA9S Panel Interior Dome Light Bulbs | eBay

They put out about 1200 lumens, approx. The average 60-watt lightbulb puts out 800-900, for comparison.

I also put in a jumper wire so that when I turn on the driver's side map light, it turns on the dome light (great if you have kids and need to see). Works the other way too, when the door is open and the dome light turns on the map lights turn on. Why they were not like that from stock I'll never know.

I was gonna explain the wiring but then realized the links did that. It's a switched ground.