[J_M]

Does anyone have experience adding an LED light strip? I saw a few aftermarket options for the front hood that require some light electrical work for install. Looking for opinions and options. Basically I’m on a mission to turn my ceramic grey PacHy into a Star Trek shuttle craft. Some blue light up front will add to the effect.
-Will adding a little bit of load throw the system off and cause long term damage?
-What’s the best place to grab power for the install? Least disruption, options to always on or on/off based on where it’s connected. I’d like to be able to turn off and on at will…but could get a set with a remote.
-Looking for recommendations on a source for the hardware.

 

[PacDave]

Does anyone have experience adding an LED light strip? I saw a few aftermarket options for the front hood that require some light electrical work for install. Looking for opinions and options. Basically I’m on a mission to turn my ceramic grey PacHy into a Star Trek shuttle craft. Some blue light up front will add to the effect.
-Will adding a little bit of load throw the system off and cause long term damage?
-What’s the best place to grab power for the install? Least disruption, options to always on or on/off based on where it’s connected. I’d like to be able to turn off and on at will…but could get a set with a remote.
-Looking for recommendations on a source for the hardware.

I put a 12V LED strip in the trunk for extra lighting. Just make sure you buy a strip designed to run on 12V. The load of an LED strip is minimal. There may be 20ma for each LED so you could have 50 LEDs before you get to a 1 amp load.

 

[J_M]

So this is the video I saw.

The instructions are less than great. But I’m thinking I’ll give it a shot anyways.

 

[Jeremy M.]

I would be careful using blue lights. They may not be legal to use while driving.

 

[J_M]

I would be careful using blue lights. They may not be legal to use while driving.

Hadn’t thought of that. Will check. I’d honestly just have then in there to turn on as a gimmick. Probably wouldn’t run them all the time.

 

[J_M]

Good call, Jeremy.

 

[Jeremy M.]

I know laws can vary state to state. But I believe blue is reserved for police vehicles everywhere.

 

[Buffrider]

Blue lights are prohibited by federal statutes. As are clear white turn signals.

 

[Jerith]

I believed the blue restriction was everywhere as well. Until I was driving in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I was used to "Yellow and Red, Snow Plow Ahead" then saw a tow truck and plow with flashing blues. Only in that city though.

 

[Tai Do]

So this is the video I saw.

The instructions are less than great. But I’m thinking I’ll give it a shot anyways.

Did you end up doing this? I bought the dynamic hood strip light but have not installed. Not sure which fuse to tap into under the hood.

 

[chase023]

Did you end up doing this? I bought the dynamic hood strip light but have not installed. Not sure which fuse to tap into under the hood.

Yup, asking the same... I was wondering what fuse to tap to use for the hood light bar.

 

[J_M]

FWIW I’m a little worried about warranty issues. Does anyone know if a fuse tap voids the warranty?

Had I actually done the fuse tap I’d have considered the following things (please add/critique if anyone has insights): I would have chosen to buy the multipack of fuse taps on Amazon. Then I’d probably choose a fuse that isn’t “always on” so the leds would shut off with the car and not run down the 12v battery. A fuse that follows the on/off patterns of the DRL would be best but I would probably have a hard time finding that even if it exists. Then I’d have found one that is easily accessible - the fuses are pretty tight in the box and the fuse taps have a right angle on them that probably would get in the way. Lastly I’d choose one that has a fairly hardy but non-critical electronics system (not the ECM or something like that). The seat warmer fuse seems to fit all those considerations. Again, insights and considerations welcome.

 

[stop-eject]

I have several hardwired accessories and dealers never question them. YMMV.

 

[chase023]

Maybe it can be piggy backed off of the HID headlamp fuse? Left or right? I mean, if the LED running lights are part of the HID assembly I would think it be sufficient to power the LED hood lights and turn off when the car goes off. You want it to sync the LED daytime running lights anyways..

 

[VelvetRedAWD]

Whatever tap you use, they are still illegal in the US. Good Luck.

 

[J_M]

Whatever tap you use, they are still illegal in the US. Good Luck.

Why? I only saw laws against colored (red, blue, etc) lights.

 

[peterweb]

Why? I only saw laws against colored (red, blue, etc) lights.

You did mention blue light in your OP.

Some blue light up front will add to the effect.

 

[J_M]

Yeah, we worked through that back in October. Looks like anything other than white while moving, at least in Ohio, is not advisable. I’d only switch the colors if I was parked and showing off for a fellow Trekkie.

 

[chase023]

I still see people using red and blue lights on the front of their rides.. I shake my head lol...

 

[chase023]

I went with it and attached it to the front seat warmers 20 amp fuse using a tap. Works well.. I'll post a pic later! I'd only recommend white if that's what others are worried about..