Illuminated entry ground lights

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Illuminated entry ground lights

October 25, 2006, 08:50:07 AM

I guess maybe this should have went in electrical. You guys can move it if you see necessary.

I saw LED bars, about 2 feet long, at walmart for 10 bucks a piece. They only had red but I'm sure blue is available. I was thinking about wiring them in under the car under each door so that whenever the door opens, it shines a nice little blue light on the ground. I was wondering if anyone has done anything similiar so they could help me find the wires I'd need to tie into, and how much light these things cast. I thought it would look pretty sweet. I'll get pics up if/when I get it finished.

Thanks!

Illuminated entry ground lights

Reply #1 – October 25, 2006, 01:49:12 PM

I've done this exact thing in my '88 XR7 and my '96 XR7.
When I did it on my '88, I bought some cheapo white aux. lights for $10 and installed them on the frame rail. The bolt acted as the ground, so I just drilled into the frame rail and tapped some threads. I simply ran the hot wire into the foot-well lamp and the project was done.
I used the same process for my '96, but I used some "puddle lamps" from some Explorer mirrors instead.
I was planning on installing some single LEDs into the floor plugs on the '86, but the carpet is freaking stapled to the floor so I can't get access to them.

Illuminated entry ground lights

Reply #2 – October 25, 2006, 03:14:37 PM

So I could just tap into say, the wires for the light that comes on on my door instead of coming off the battery with a relay and tapping into the dome light? My original thought was to do it that way but someone told me I would be blowing a lot of fuses.

About how much light will one of those LED bars throw? I want something pretty visible.

Illuminated entry ground lights

Reply #3 – October 25, 2006, 10:35:00 PM

Those led bars shouldnt draw enough to cause a problem but fuses are cheap, if it doesnt work install relays.

One thing I believe is that the dome light has the negative side of the circuit switched, I may be wrong though.

Something to look out for.

Scott

Illuminated entry ground lights

Reply #4 – October 26, 2006, 05:30:43 PM

I don't see the need to mess with the battery or the dome light, unless you're planning on some serious wattage lights. Then you could go to the battery with a nice 30A relay or something...
I'm still undecided about LEDs. You may not get smooth coverage with the light, but rather "hot spots" of light on the ground. That can make it look cheap, especially if it's colored light.
Whatever you do, choose white light. Color just makes it look garish.