Wiring 12v strip lights

[mark2406]

Hi guys,

Looking on fitting Halo roof inside the caddy maxi and was wondering can you wire the 12v strip lights to the internal light that’s already in the interior?

New to all this so thanks in advance

[STP]

Yep, just check the polarity as you may need to reverse your led wires to get them to come on, but it works fine.

For test purposes just put the rear light in the off position, pull the bulb out (watch out it's really hot when it's been on even for a short time) then turn the switch back on and touch your halo wires to the brass terminals where the bulb would go, if they don't light up, switch wires round, they should light up, then you know the polarity. The switch has three positions, off, doors, and always on.

Mark one wire and one terminal with a Sharpie, then use that way round when you wire them in permanently. Just follow the terminals back and wire to the best connection point at the wiring in the base unit. The crystal cover just pops off.

The voltage is only 12V so you cannot get a shock or anything, its perfectly safe to touch the terminals.

[mark2406]

Thank you

[Nicklouse]

Well. As the rear lights are door and switch operated and are earth switched you will need to tap into the live feed and put a switch and fuse in line.

Most of the van conversions BG etc had them working on the doors fed from the ceiling light so they came on and went off the same as the cabin light.

[STP]

I assumed that's what the OP wanted, and if connected to the terminals leading to the original bulb connectors, the LEDs will work with the doors, or on permanently, or completely off, as required by using the roof switch already built into the light in the centre. LEDs take next to no current at all. A fuse can be added but it is already fused at source. It doesn't matter what the switching arrangement is, earth return or not, the bulb terminals are simply a switched power supply from door operation or from the switch itself.

It doesn't need to be complicated. I have LEDs powered in that way and they work perfectly well, and draw mere milliamps.