Which power cable should i use to install footwell lights?

[BrownSound]

Hey guys,

I'm planning on installing footwell lights that turn on an off as the doors open... I found this pretty awesome video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFfCea-2kgo) which shows me most of what to do.

Problem is that I have an SX which doesnt have the front dome light... instead the just the centre 1 which makes cabling really damn difficult. I was wondering whether instead i could tap into another power cable within the dash? I'd be mad if someone could actually tell me which cable or even better give post a photo of the cable and where i can find it!

Also i am a bit of an electrical novice (this will be my first mod).... so im just wondering the way this set-up works when the door pushes the button in it "ungrounds" the circuit which then turns them off? and when its open the circuit is complete and turns them on? ie power is always going to the lights?? and yeah will using another power source effect the circuit??

O and what would you guys recommend... LEDs or neon ?

sorry about all the questions im really hoping someone can help me out!

Thanks guys

[milobob]

There is a DIY in the DIY section on which wire to tap into. Make sure you get a fuse just incase something blows.

Basically it runs off a constant 12v circuit which cuts off when the doors are closed.

I got LEDs - they use less power and last longer. A 24 LED strip is quite bright. I have 24s for my rear seats and 12s for my front. The fronts aren't that bright though. Also, they dim on and off as per the centre/map lights.

[BrownSound]

Thanks Bruno

I also found this which was of help - http://www.auslancer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=38. I'll probably go with this instead of wiring it individually to each door.

So im guessing i should go with the 24 strip of LEDs or is that going to be overkill in the front? Out of curiosity what colour did you chose?

[milobob]

Red. To match the red lighting of the car. And its easier on the eyes. Yellow gives a nice luxury feel but we need beige coloured carpets for the light to reflect well.

Hmm.. can't find the DIY guide anymore... interesting.

[milobob]

If I can be bothered.. I can take a picture of where I spliced into.

Went into two wires near the glove compartment fusebox. Saves you from running the lights form the centre lights.

[BrownSound]

I am still tossing up between red and blue... but i'm going to try and tackle this tomorrow so i guess I'll make my mind up in the shop =p.

Yeah I found the wires from the centre dome light in the panel behind the glovebox so i'll be using that.

Looking forward to this.... it'll be my first mod!

[BrownSound]

I actually decided to buy from ebay because the 1s in stores are absolutely crap and very much overpriced... but now i am trying to figure whether to get SMD Led strips or normal LED strips.

Advantage of the SMD is that they are very un-obstrusive, but I'm not sure if it will provide enough lighting.

[megatron]

I actually decided to buy from ebay because the 1s in stores are absolutely crap and very much overpriced... but now i am trying to figure whether to get SMD Led strips or normal LED strips.

Advantage of the SMD is that they are very un-obstrusive, but I'm not sure if it will provide enough lighting.

got a pic of which wire it is?

[BrownSound]

I didn\'t take any photos my self, but here is the photo from the how to on auslancer:



In my car though the cables were black (-) and black with silver stripe (+). Just to make sure I pulled out the harness and the dome light switched off so I knew I got the right one.

[megatron]

thanks naheen