I want to add a string of rope light LEDs to my trunk because just about anything in the trunk ends up blocking the existing light. How can I tie into the wiring for that existing trunk light?

Can I just clip one of the leads from the existing light and add these in a series, or is there a better way. I want it to come on and off with the existing light.

I have a 2012 GT.

 

Well for starters you need to find something that ran run on 12v. The great thing about LEDs is they don't pull much juice, but quality ones are expensive.

 

you can either replace the existing light with your LED strip or connect the LEDs in parallel. Be very aware that bulk strip LEDs usually don't have current limiting built in, and you'll need to figure out what value resistor you need to place in series with the LEDs so they don't burn out.

 

Dont just tap into the 12v wire from the existing lamp; apparently, these are ground switched. If you use the tempting and convenient ground just to the side of the existing lamp, you'll have your aftermarket lamps on all the time.

If you're going to snip wires to make this work, you'll probably have to cut into both of them.

 

I bought these http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...IBLED-1MW.html and was hoping I could just splice them in.

It's sounding like maybe not?

 

I know just enough to be dangerous, but no more...

 

I just roughed up the housing and soldered a couple of wires to the trunk bulb.




Works great. Now I can see I need to clean my trunk.

 

I also replaced that old bulb with a new LED bulb. It runs SO much cooler and matches the led lights I put on top of the trunk. It's really nice.

I tried a couple of different adhesives to make that LED strip stick to the metal on the underside of the trunk. The only thing that ended up working for me was some clear silicone, and I used a lot of tape points around it until it cured. That was a bit challenging because the electrical tape didn't want to stick to the metal either. I ended up just using a LOT of it, and it held long enough to do the job.