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How to power underdash LED strips?

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Old Jan 9, 2011 | 08:18 PM
  #1  
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How to power underdash LED strips?

I am about to purchase two 12" LED strips. My only problem is that I have no idea how to wire them. I also want to put a switch, so I can have them on/off at my will. Any Help? Thanks
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 10:37 AM
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Don't, you drive an Infiniti, not a Civic.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 10:48 AM
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Wire them to any 12v power source. Cig lighter for example. Or splice them directly to your interior lights so you wont need a switch.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 10:58 AM
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find 12v power source like said....if you want a seperate switch, then just put the switch in between the source and the leds and there ya go
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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Just tap into the cig lighter.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 06:39 PM
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Where can I find a 12v power source? Chris Man mentioned the cig lighter. How would I be able to tap into that?
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 06:41 PM
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Pull up the shifter trim and tap the two wires going to it.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 06:53 PM
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I35 is auto can I still do this? If I do can I still use the 12v Plug?
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 06:55 PM
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Yes and yes.

Make sure you look up how to properly remove the shifter trim without breaking anything.

LED's in an Infiniti
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:01 PM
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Ok cool well do you have any tips for tapping into the source? would it be as simple as splicing the wires? What all would I need to do?

Btw... I know im ricing it =( This car is in to condition for tuning, i'm trying to learn basic wiring and stuff. Getting a g35 or g37 soon and then I can focus on performance.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:07 PM
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Yep, power and ground.

Maybe you should secure the help of someone local - so that they can teach you.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:08 PM
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yeah find someone else that can help you....pretty basic questions your asking here
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:09 PM
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Really easy to do but not the cleanest way....grab a cord that plugs into a 12v cig lighter that you dont use anymore, cut it and wire your leds to that. Use a test light to avoid reversing polarity...plug in and voila!
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by djfrestyl
Yep, power and ground.

Maybe you should secure the help of someone local - so that they can teach you.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:12 PM
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Ok well VQ,rIn I want to still have an open 12v outlet so I am probally going to attempt to tap into the wires in the dash. So basically just attach positive and negative led wires with the positive 12v wire while still allowing a connection to the outlet. Attatch the ground and im good?
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:13 PM
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dude its 2 wires... B+ and ground.....
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:16 PM
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Red to red; black to black. Yes.

I strongly advise you to invest in a test light if youre doing this yourself....
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 08:08 PM
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Ok, Storm thank you for informing me I had no idea that it was just two wires that makes things much more simple. Thanks to everyone else who posted. My lights should be comming in soon and I will attempt the install then. Post some pics too.
Old Jan 15, 2011 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by djfrestyl
Don't, you drive an Infiniti, not a Civic.


i got LED's under my dash and rear back seats that turn on to the beat of my subs...everyone that sees them seem to like them!
Old Jan 20, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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Figured i would ask here. I just want to know if i'm correct

I want my underdash leds to turn on when a door is opened and when the car is on. Can i tap the + from the doors and the + from the cig lighter at the same time and have both taps running to same set of leds? The door lights come on when a ground is made as the door opens so the 12v from the cig lighter wont affect it, correct? I just want to make sure nothing will blow/melt and when the car is on it will not power the door lights even when the doors are closed
Old Jan 20, 2011 | 07:25 PM
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I don't recommend it. You're creating a bridge from one positive to the other. What happens when the car is on AND the door is open?

Use a relay instead.
Old Jan 20, 2011 | 07:38 PM
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 07:47 PM
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That's what i thought would be a problem. I figured because it was technically the same 12v source it wouldnt matter where they touched but im going to go with the relay idea. Now i need to find out exactly what a relay is and how i can integrate one.
Old Jan 21, 2011 | 11:51 AM
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I spent more than a few hours searching and im actually more confused than i was before. Im unsure if this below will work because the positive from the cig lighter will flow into the positive from the door and illuminate the doors whenever the car is on.


link:http://www.freeimagehosting.net/imag...8399f7648f.jpg

If the doors make ground when they are open then it wont be a problem. Not that i would even try it now that a relay was suggested. If all els fails, i will probably end up keeping it simple by using the cig lighter source only.

EDIT: i just realised that diodes are kind of like one way valves and if i get the right ones, I think I should be fine.

Last edited by LongoTE; Jan 21, 2011 at 02:44 PM.
Old Jan 21, 2011 | 11:54 AM
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Picture doesn't work.
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