Cathode Footwell Lights DIY (pics heavy)

[ochatesme]

What is the purpose of the transistor?

[ELL]

Originally Posted by Rhino8541

Would it be possible to wire this up to the dome lights so it dims on and off, but also put a switch in it in case you don't want it to constantly do that? I'm a wiring imbecile so sorry if this is an obvious sort of question.

You would need a resistor I believe.
Dome lights that dim would fry the transformer (inverter) of the cathodes before long.
With leds under the footwells, you would not get that problem.

In both scenarios, in order to wire it up to a dome light as well as a switch, you need to set up a relay.

[ELL]

Also, if there is an under dash fuse box, you can use an add-a-circuit, so you don't need to splice any wiring.
Oh, and an old straightened metal clothing hanger works wonders for threading wires across the center console.

[sntckr]

Rhino: The short answer to your question is yes. The longer answer that follows is based off some notes I have lying around and memory (double check the wiring diagrams before using this)...The dome light wire (for the "door" position) is solid blue (as aforementioned) and runs into the front of the driver side J/B. It runs into one of the connector on the front of the J/B that is farthest away from the fuses. If you need to get a better understanding of wiring, relays, switches, etc check out http://www.autoshop101.com/ or the ever popular http://www.bcae1.com/

[nascarfan00]

Carling switch with legend made using waterslide laserjet clear decal paper:




I had to take the switch apart and turn the LED's around so the amber one came on with the dash lights:




The green LED is on when the switch is on:

[loudboy]

Just wired everything up in my 2004 Double Cab using a 3-way switch On-Off-On. One "ON" lets me turn on the lights whenever, the other "ON" is linked to the dome light so that it will come on when the door is open if the switch is in that position. The CCFLs are drawing power from the Map Light circuit, where they are wired in parallel. The side of the switch that turns on the CCFLs when the door is open is grounded in parallel to the dome light ground.

My problem is that my CCFLs now flash. When I wired them to a 12v power source in my house, they do not flash. When in the Dome position, this also causes my Dome light to flash.

What gives?

[loudboy]

*Amendment to above*

When the CCFLs are on, the Dome light flashes. When the CCFLs are switched off, the Dome light is steady.

My CCFLs draw power from the Map Light circuit, where they are wired in parallel. When my 3 way switch is set so that the CCFLs come on independent of the door, they still flash as well as the Map Lights when the CCFLs are on. When the CCFLs are off, the Map Lights function normally.

This leads my to believe something in the CCFLs inverter is causing the flashing, though I do not know how to remedy this. Any suggestions?

Thanks all

[loudboy]

*Amendment Two*

The flashing only happens when the key it out of the ignition. When the key is in, all lights are steady.

Perhaps there is a low power mode that the truck goes into when the key is not in the ignition? Any thoughts on how to fix this? Flashing red lights when getting into and out of my truck would get pretty annoying/cheesy

Thanks all!

[vodafone19]

here is my lights. its installed on the outside wired to the dome light. when i unlock it turns on. also when the door is open it turns on. turns off after about 15 secs or when i close the door or lock with the remote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjB-VkZEix0

[cypressnik]

haha sweet, i just recently did this to mine but used blacklight cathodes, im also going to mount some under neath the driver and passenger seats so that it lights up the rear floor

[455olblue]

is there any chance you could tell me how to do this,and do you now how many amps the dome light circuit can handle,i was also thinking about putting on some side lights to light up my nerf bars and have them fade out