LED tray lighting

[Banks]

After doing a search i couldnt find anything about lighting in the tray of a ute. Im getting sick of not being able to see anything at night so ive decided i want to put some LED lights around boths sides and back wall of the tray. Theres a lip where the LEDS would sit very nicely.

Anyways my questions are where can i get LED lights in a 600mm strip form that would be easy to mount? I need around 6 of them to fully go around the tray. Mood lighting would be good aswell, being able to change colour or make them cycle threw several colours, but also be able to select white when getting something lol... demanding much

Is there a constant 12v source in the tray? was thinking the fuel pump but didnt wanna mess around with the voltage to it. thought tail lights but i want to be able to use them while the car is off via a switch.

Can the LED be dimmed via a rotary switch?

Also how hard would it be to put a 12v outlet aka cig lighter in the tray?

cheers

[vy_storm]

Have a squiz at my ride thread, might give you some inspiration.

I have tapped 12v power into the tray from the centre console through the accessories and also put a lighter socket in.

Edit, I better get the stuff in the thread I suppose, thought it was there, but actually on another forum......

[Banks]

hahah yeah i just noticed you added it after you told me to go have a look lol where did you run the power from for the lights?

[vy_storm]

Tapped a hole in the top of the front of the tray between the front seats and then ran the wires down to each side. Put a junction box in the tray to run other stuff later on of if it screws up I can disconnect everything.
I reckon it all flattened my battery one day, but can't be 100% sure, lol

[Banks]

is it complete or are you in the stage of doing it aswell? where did you get all the gear from?

[vy_storm]

It's as complete as its going to be for now. It's a pain taking the liner out every time you want to do anything (including changing tail light globes)

Wasn't a huge outlay, think it was about $80 or so for the CCFL tubes from Jaycar (which they don't sell anymore) then bits and pieces like wire, terminal blocks, switches etc. I work for an electronics manufacturer, so a few things kinda landed in the back of the ute so to speak.....

[Banks]

things just happen to land in your ute aswell?! must be the weather lol yeah had a look at jaycar lastnight. ive seen a couple of switches etc in autobarn that i like. i want it to look factory just gotta try and find some leds, saw some on ebay but they look real cheaps and nasty. Shouldnt be to hard to wire up. Might get onto it this weekend

[vy_storm]

My main aim was to have something that was relatively water proof and smash proof from throwing things in the tray. I did look at LEDs, but found them too focussed and not enough light spread, plus dimming them isn't easy without some more stuff added to the circuitry.

Have you got a tray liner? Hiding the wiring is pretty hard other wise.

[Banks]

yeah i was thinking about the LEDs being to focussed but i thought by putting more in it would be alright n adding stuff doesnt really bother me, i can see this isnt an easy thing to do but i want/need to do it.

Nar no tray liner, just a fitted rubber mat. Ive had a good look at it and theres places where theres no where to hide the wires so ill have to think up something. hard and expensive no doubt lol

[Banks]

Ok, So I went out and bought some gear for my little project.

All Narva

P/No: 81028BL - Surface Mount Accessory Socket 12v
P/No: 62058BL - Rocker Switch Off/on with GREEN LED 30 Amp 12v (x 2)
P/No: 54420BL - 4 Way Blade Fuse Box

All up so far cost = $43

Still to get the actual LED strips, 1 into 4 spliter and more cable.

Just a quick question, I’ve attached a diagram on how I think the wiring should go. Just need someone to say yeah that'll work or no stay away. Im a bit confused on which terminal to plug in the actual 12v power. Would it be supply or load? Any suggestions on the way I plan to wire it would be great before I set it in concrete



So far:

[vy_storm]

I think the power should go onto the Supply terminal as that will switch on both the LED in the switch and what ever is connected.

As a fail safe I ran everything back to a main switch in the cabin so it can isolate all power to the tray. I also added an option of having it switch on and off with a relay off the accessories, that way if I have the fridge on board it shuts down when the car isn't running.

[Banks]

That sounds like a good idea, did you have the relay in the tray? i've put the second switch in the tray, one for the leds and the other for the 12v source, but another one in the cab sounds good to me. I had the cable running to the supply just wasnt sure if it was right. also do i have to earth the switches out? or just the leds and 12v source like in the diagram?