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Anyone here install a light under the hood?

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Old 12-07-2010, 07:06 PM
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Anyone here install a light under the hood?

You know, the kind that comes on automatically when you raise the hood?

Most of the cars I have owned have had one, I'm surprised that Nissan doesn't put one there. Not much in the search function as to what or how folks have installed an engine-bay light, so I thought I would ask.


I suppose you could always put a tap-light in there somewhere, might not be the classiest install, but at least it would not discharge the vehicle's battery.
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Old 12-07-2010, 07:24 PM
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vleds 24 inch strip, screwed a metal strip(approx. 1" x 30") across with two screws and then stuck it onto that. I leave mine on all the time with the parking and its been fine for almost two months, but you can just tap the hood pin and connect + end to the battery with a fuse.
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Old 12-07-2010, 07:35 PM
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been thinking about it....
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Old 12-07-2010, 07:49 PM
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I have often wonder why there is no light under our hood as in most other cars I have owned. I had purchased two 20" LED strips for mounting inside my head lamps (these are water proof) they might just do the trick mounted inside my engine bay to provide some light.

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Old 12-08-2010, 08:27 AM
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The reason why our cars didn't come with a underhood light is because 95% of Maxima owners won't open the hood themselves except for when they buy the car or sell the car. That's why there is a pretty engine cover in there but no light.

Personally I have an underhood drop light from a mid 90s chevy that I'm going to stick under there one of these days. But I may add one of those light strips. They seem to illuminate pretty well.
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Old 12-08-2010, 08:54 AM
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I've thought about this a few times as well.

But 99% of the time, my car is in the garage when the hood is up. So instead, I bought an insanely bright halogen shop light and mounted it on the wall of the garage, about one foot over my head and behind me.

Maybe that's an option for you, Trooper?
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Old 12-08-2010, 09:50 AM
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I wish. Wife has too much crap in the garage for me to be able to park my Maxima inside.
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Old 12-08-2010, 09:54 AM
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I suppose if I lived in Sunny California, I could allow for that.

As it stands, parking my cars outdoors borders on sacrilege.
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Old 12-08-2010, 02:13 PM
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I've been thinking about doing this, too. Possibly rigging the hood sensor to complete the circuit and turn the lights on when I pop the hood.

As nice as having lots of bright shop lights on an engine is, it's still a PITA when you lean over your car, and your shadow blocks out what you're trying to work on.
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Old 12-08-2010, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Brett
I've been thinking about doing this, too. Possibly rigging the hood sensor to complete the circuit and turn the lights on when I pop the hood.
same here
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Old 12-08-2010, 02:57 PM
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I'm thinking about actually getting quite a few LED strips so I can really see everything.

Possibly one on either inner fender lip, one or two along the firewall, and two or three on the underside of the hood.
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Old 12-08-2010, 08:44 PM
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how difficult is the wiring?
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Old 12-09-2010, 01:01 AM
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Old GM cars have lead lights that just hook to a grounding line. Easy to install and all you do is position it differently to turn it on and off. Consider it...
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Old 12-10-2010, 09:35 PM
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Contact BT over on Nissanclub.com, 3rd Gen Altima owner/former Moderator. He has designed engine, trunk, and footwell lighting kits for the Altima community. There is a good chance he has already created kits for the Maxima or would if asked. I have his trunk and engine lighting kits and they are reasonably priced and good quality. He is a lighting expert IMO.
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Old 12-11-2010, 12:11 AM
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I'm afraid that this issue can be here or not.

Hello~this is Joei Choi.
I'm afraid that my question can be here or not.

I'm doing business about the LED customizing for automotive.
Especially modification the headlamp or taillamp's lighting shape and design by using the super bright LED.
Actually any kinds of light things on the car can be modified to super bright LED.
And even make the new light thing on the car also possible.

Here is my question.
I think this business is not well-known yet in USA.
So, I'd like to know if you guys see some of pictures as like below, then you think you can decide to buy this item?

If this question is not acceptable in this thread, please let me know.
Then I'll erase this immediately.

P.S. if you guys want to see more information & pictures, please visit my LED facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...03096983095850


Thank you.
Joei Choi.




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Old 12-11-2010, 07:22 AM
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Looks like first-post spam

Last edited by trooplewis; 12-11-2010 at 09:36 AM.
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Old 12-11-2010, 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Joei Choi
Yeah, first post business spam... but loosely on-topic in the way of Exterior Illumination. (I watched "Christmas Vacation" last night... LOL)

Anyway, this glowing Toyota (sic) badge is kind of neat. And entirely doable for the 5.5 gen Maxima. Our grille burger is removable, accessible and there's plenty of gap throughout for lighting.
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Old 12-11-2010, 08:05 AM
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Joey Choi:

If you're really interested in selling your stuff on this site, talk to one of the Administrators or Moderators about setting up as a Sponsor. That way you can avoid all the "Spam" harassment (and a ban), and with a little bit of time, I'm sure you can sell a few things here and there.

People on this forum eat up LED mods.

But back on topic.
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Old 12-11-2010, 08:35 AM
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Where's jowo9? He would know how to create a glowing front grille burger on the 5.5 gen.
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Old 12-11-2010, 09:12 AM
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I thought about taking some kind of cutting tool and cutting out the "NISSAN" on the burger, and inserting some kind of tinted overlay behind it with a few LEDs so that it would be black in the daytime, and glow ever so lightly at night.
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Old 12-12-2010, 06:18 PM
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Hello~this is Joei Choi. I made a sponser account.

Hello guys~this is Joei Choi who written kind of spam reply right above this reply.
I made Maxima forum sponser account seperately with my personal account.
Thank you for you guys kindly answer to me.

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