03+ footwell lights or 00+ LED footwell upgrades...

[Physh1]

Glad to see some of you guys doing this. Why GM ditched the foot-well lights in 03 is beyond me.

On a slight side note, I was going to add some foot-well lights in my 94 but after hopping under the dash I see I already had them...bulbs were just blown.

Cameron

 

[Tahoewhat]

Glad to see some of you guys doing this. Why GM ditched the foot-well lights in 03 is beyond me.

On a slight side note, I was going to add some foot-well lights in my 94 but after hopping under the dash I see I already had them...bulbs were just blown.

Cameron

Thanks to you. I would of never thought of getting some led strips to do this. But w/ your knowledge do you have any idea how to isolate the footwells? To come on w/ the doors and yet be able to turn them on when wanted w/o the dome lights?

 

[Physh1]

You'd need to use a single pole double throw switch. It is often called a changeover switch. For example, a SPDT switch can be used to switch on a red lamp in one position and a green lamp in the other position.

It's a 3 wire switch. The common would be the 12v power lead off your LED strips. The A & B terminals would be your power source. 1 could be the courtesy power & the other could be a constant 12v to switch on anytime.

It's basically an on-on switch. There is no off...just allows you to switch power source or switch where your power is going.

Cameron

 

[Tahoewhat]

You'd need to use a single pole double throw switch. It is often called a changeover switch. For example, a SPDT switch can be used to switch on a red lamp in one position and a green lamp in the other position.

It's a 3 wire switch. The common would be the 12v power lead off your LED strips. The A & B terminals would be your power source. 1 could be the courtesy power & the other could be a constant 12v to switch on anytime.

It's basically an on-on switch. There is no off...just allows you to switch power source or switch where your power is going.

Cameron

Thanks Cameron. Knew you would know something i could use.

Ok, just read up a little, i see that there is no ground, its A / common / B. So, i hook up all the power wires off the led strips to the com spot, then on terminal A i can put a constant 12v so that i can switch to it anytime. Then B would be the courtesy power Right?

And the SPDT is those switches that you can flip up, middle, or down arent they? http://www.radioshack.com/family/in...bn=Type/SPDT&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPDT, Like these right?

Sorry for all the questions, just me and wiring, takes along time to think about it.

 

[Vincesrg03]

Great write up Cameron. I like how the leds get that nice glow. I got just one question for you. I dont understand when exactly they turn on. When the doors open, when you unlock it with your keyfob? Could you clarify please. I almost got my wife convinced to let me do it. Once again awesome write up!!!

 

[Physh1]

Correct...no ground. Yes, all LED power wire will hook to common and A & B will be your alternative power sources (courtesy & constant 12v).

Some will have a center off & some won't. Those switches you linked to are fine...you may find some nicer looking round rocker style switches on Amazon or Fry's if you have one near you.

Should be an easy thing to do...I'm thinking about it now...hmmm...should be simple to wire close to where the courtesy power tap is...

I am nowhere near an electrical guru but glad I could help...

Cameron

 

[Tahoewhat]

Great write up Cameron. I like how the leds get that nice glow. I got just one question for you. I dont understand when exactly they turn on. When the doors open, when you unlock it with your keyfob? Could you clarify please. I almost got my wife convinced to let me do it. Once again awesome write up!!!

Do it, tell her you can see much better at nite and it looks cool. They turn on whenever the courtesy lights come one, meaning when you unlock the doors, or open the doors they come on. Go off when you close the doors.

Correct...no ground. Yes, all LED power wire will hook to common and A & B will be your alternative power sources (courtesy & constant 12v).

Some will have a center off & some won't. Those switches you linked to are fine...you may find some nicer looking round rocker style switches on Amazon or Fry's if you have one near you.

Should be an easy thing to do...I'm thinking about it now...hmmm...should be simple to wire close to where the courtesy power tap is...

I am nowhere near an electrical guru but glad I could help...

Cameron

Just went and got a switch, only place i could find local was Radio shack, big toggle, but temp for now until i find another one. Its going to be hidden anyway so may not matter. It does have the center off, which thinking about it, could be nice also. In case i dod need to see i could use my 194 led bulbs since they are white.

Now to just re-run the power wires to the switch. Oh well.

Thanks very much Cameron, electrical guru or not, full of knowledge i will say that and very much appreciated w/ the writeups and ideas..

 

[Tahoewhat]

Edited. By me. Stupid mistake. Take time and look at what your doing. That's my problem, hurry to much. I'll leave the pic i guess, this is the switch i used. Its hidden but accessible.

 

[Physh1]

Edited. By me. Stupid mistake. Take time and look at what your doing. That's my problem.

I take it that everything works a-ok?

---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 PM ----------

Great write up Cameron. I like how the leds get that nice glow. I got just one question for you. I dont understand when exactly they turn on. When the doors open, when you unlock it with your keyfob? Could you clarify please. I almost got my wife convinced to let me do it. Once again awesome write up!!!

Since the LED strips are wired into courtesy power they will turn on when...

1) you click the lock or unlock on the key fob
2) when you place the dimmer in the "on" position
3) when you open doors

Cameron

 

[Tahoewhat]

Yep. A+. Just need to do it with patience. What are you doing next. Lol. What y'all think? Only footwells. (thanks chris)