Fried wires trying to hook up LED strip

[markymark975]

Just got an LED strip light (knight rider light) and hooked it up directly to the battery and controlled via cheap wireless remote.

Was working fine but I decided I wanted to wire it to a toggle switch inside of the car.

I did alot of research then finally did it according to a wiring diagram I found, but instead of connecting the negative to the chassis, I wired it directly to the negative side of the battery.

I got it to turn on for a while, but when I switched it off, both wires to the battery melted, but only up to about a foot after the battery.

What did I do wrong??? I have the wiring diagram below.


Shoot..How do I embed a picture on here???


C:\Documents and Settings\Mark & Lisa\Desktop\My Pictures\2011_03_25\IMG_5052.JPG[/URL]

[Dragon-88]

embed pictures using photobucket.com or any other host for pics.. I'm pretty sure you can use your car domain aswell.

Most forums dont allow adding pics as this takes up bandwidth.. Which is why you have to use the picture hosts.

[markymark975]

Ok let's try this..

[ChancreScolex]

I assume you had to use extra wire so what gauge was it? Did you use an inline fuse?

[Digital_Jedi]

"I got it to turn on for a while, but when I switched it off, both wires to the battery melted, but only up to about a foot after the battery."


You will have to look at your switch for the appropriate pin outs, but it seems as if you shorted out the wires across the battery terminal. When the switch was in the "off"m position it was most likely connecting your two battery wires causing a rush of current which would explain the melting.


Unless your switch contains a light, you shouldn't really need a ground on it for this type of application. Double check the switch to make sure you are putting the wires on the appropriate pins.

[Jackss731]

alright the only reason you would connect the switch to the ground is because you have a tiny led in the switch to signify you that the switch is on.


the switch is to cut off the flow of electricity.
so you should only need both RED wires to the switch.

judging by the way you drew your schematic....try one red wire to the middle+ and the other red to the negative-

flow ,even through a switch goes from + to -
so when you wired it it went from + to + so you didnt do anything but you grounded it so it went all crazy...


if you want me to draw up something let me know.
at least you had it working before so you know its only a switch problem :]

[markymark975]

Originally Posted by Jackss731

alright the only reason you would connect the switch to the ground is because you have a tiny led in the switch to signify you that the switch is on.


the switch is to cut off the flow of electricity.
so you should only need both RED wires to the switch.

judging by the way you drew your schematic....try one red wire to the middle+ and the other red to the negative-

flow ,even through a switch goes from + to -
so when you wired it it went from + to + so you didnt do anything but you grounded it so it went all crazy...


if you want me to draw up something let me know.
at least you had it working before so you know its only a switch problem :]

I went out and got an automotive 2 prong rocker switch instead. I didn't want to mess with the 3 prong switch and looks like we're in business. Thanks again.

[Shft99]

^ Yep cant go wrong with the 2 prong rockers. And yeah the negative side is where the problem was. If you planning on installing a lighted rocker switch-

[Digital_Jedi]

Light looks pretty nice! Glad you got it all sorted out...

[Jackss731]

Originally Posted by markymark975

I went out and got an automotive 2 prong rocker switch instead. I didn't want to mess with the 3 prong switch and looks like we're in business. Thanks again.

no prob!

[Dimaoala]

Ah today is my day off, finally get to get some rest

Woke up at 3 in the morning on friday, worked till 11, went to my 2nd job at 4 in the afternoon, worked till 1:20'ish in the morning. Woke up at 3 again, and worked till 12 in the afternoon. Got knocked out once I laid on my bed!

Getting some cash flow for some new mods! Or maybe its just time to start saving...

[flamedrgn]

Originally Posted by Dimaoala

Ah today is my day off, finally get to get some rest

Woke up at 3 in the morning on friday, worked till 11, went to my 2nd job at 4 in the afternoon, worked till 1:20'ish in the morning. Woke up at 3 again, and worked till 12 in the afternoon. Got knocked out once I laid on my bed!

Getting some cash flow for some new mods! Or maybe its just time to start saving...

bro you need more rest, this is the wrong thread. lol

it seems like you fixed your problem which was shorting the battery out and not having a inline fuse.

[markymark975]

Originally Posted by flamedrgn

bro you need more rest, this is the wrong thread. lol

it seems like you fixed your problem which was shorting the battery out and not having a inline fuse.

Do you think I really need an inline fuse? I actually bought one but I bought the wrong size fuses for the holder. I guess I'll install it for peace of mind.

Dimaaola, Seems like you have a busy schedule. What mods could you possibly need that you don't already have lol.

[Jackss731]

Originally Posted by markymark975

Do you think I really need an inline fuse? I actually bought one but I bought the wrong size fuses for the holder. I guess I'll install it for peace of mind.

Dimaaola, Seems like you have a busy schedule. What mods could you possibly need that you don't already have lol.

BC coilovers!!!!!!!!!!

[pinoyesv6]

Originally Posted by markymark975

Do you think I really need an inline fuse? I actually bought one but I bought the wrong size fuses for the holder. I guess I'll install it for peace of mind.

yes