LED cupholders

[Olsin6]

Okay, here is a question for all you electrical junkies out here . I recently built my own fiberglass center console for my ranger to replace the previously abused, broken, cracked, explorer center console that was in the truck when I bought it. 2004 Ford Ranger XLT.

I want to throw these lights in it. http://www.fishnlight.com/LEDcupholder.htm

Reading that there is one strand of 12" wire to power the lights, I want to wire them up to turn on when I flip my headlights on. I know I will probably have to splice into the line (not a problem). I just need to know where. I want it to turn on with the headlights so I'm not having to flip a bunch of switches to get all my lights on.

Option 2: Put a switch in for them. If I were to do that all I would do is run a positive from the battery -> relay/fuse -> switch -> the cupholders correct?


Sorry if this makes no sense, I am more of a than electrician.

 

[dangerranger83]

Personally I would hook them to their own setup that also allows for future lights to be hooked up to it, so that of you want to show off the inside, you won't have to run your head lights.

Sent from my SGH-T499 using Tapatalk 2

 

[wr250rdr]

there is a motorcycle company called street effects and they sell led's for motorcycle lighting and they make a power box that comes with a rocker switch and inline fuse already wired in and it has 4 power outs. i have a set of leds that are tied to lighting my glove box and my center console and the distro box works perfectly and is very simple to wire in. just tap into the cigarett lighter power wires and you are good to go

 

[Gary101386]

great! now i want to build a custom center console to put these in, AND buy the lighting kit for my Harley....

 

[4x4junkie]

The way I would do it is find a wire behind the dash that powers the instrument panel lights and then tap onto that.
The diagram for my '94 shows a "Lt. Blue-Red" wire for the above circuit, however I can't guarantee it's still the same 10 years later, though it shouldn't be hard to find by probing the wires on the back of your dimmer switch with a voltmeter (you'll know it's the right one by the voltage changing as you adjust the dimmer knob). You might be able to tap onto the wire at any one of the lamps themselves behind the dash also.

 

[Olsin6]

Thanks for all the input guys. As soon as I get them, I'll check them out and weigh my options again.

 

[Dofter]

I have a very similar idea, with making some LED ambient lighting. Also, if you want a good deal on LED light strips, I found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006IWQMHO/?tag=959media-20
There are other colors of course, but killer deal.
I am going to try what4x4Junkie said and I will let you guys know how it went.
LED

 

[daniel3507]

there is a motorcycle company called street effects and they sell led's for motorcycle lighting and they make a power box that comes with a rocker switch and inline fuse already wired in and it has 4 power outs. i have a set of leds that are tied to lighting my glove box and my center console and the distro box works perfectly and is very simple to wire in. just tap into the cigarett lighter power wires and you are good to go

Link? I couldnt find them by a quick google

 

[shane96ranger]

Link? I couldnt find them by a quick google

I think it's actually called Street FX.

http://www.streetfxseries.com/

 

[wr250rdr]

^ correct.

 

[deathbypsi]

check out my build thread to see how I did mine in a 1st gen

Click my sig

 

[Dofter]

Hey I got my LEDs in the mail and am starting work today!
Now I had to remove a few things in order to get the lights to the back of the cab...

I found where to hook up the lights, underneath the light switch, the light blue with red tracer

I got the ones in the back installed so far...

I will keep you guys updated

 

[Dofter]

Hey, I was only able to get the rear done because I forgot to order some connections.

I found this handy ground next to the parking brake

And here is the lights with the cover on, but at day time.

I will get a night pic up tonight!

I hope me doing this helped you out Olsin!

 

[Dofter]

night shot!