Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

How do I add exterior LED lights?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 01-14-2008 | 08:53 PM
  #1  
akhan48's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Leeds, UK
How do I add exterior LED lights?

Hi everyone,

Basically I want to wire up two (12V) LED light strips (at the front of the car just below fog lamps) to come on at the same time as my sidelights... Anyone know how I could do this? Example shown below, not my car but the one I want to copy!



Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Old 01-18-2008 | 09:04 AM
  #2  
DOMINION's Avatar
I don't buy Kool-Aid
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,823
Likes: 2
From: Vegas Baby!
Well in the US we would say that is not "DOT (Department Of Transportation) legal" So if you do it and get pulled over you get a ticket.

As for the "DIY" I dont know if we have a "Do It Your Self" on this one. I dont think any one is this ballzy lol.
Old 01-18-2008 | 10:11 AM
  #3  
staticlag's Avatar
The Professor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 6
From: Omaha, NE
easiest way is probably just to tap the sidelight wires.
Old 01-18-2008 | 01:37 PM
  #4  
Jedi54's Avatar
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 22,444
Likes: 2,799
From: The Dark Side
Yeah, I'm thinking you should tap the side markers since those come on as soon as you hit the lights.

How are you mounting those things?
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:15 PM
  #5  
akhan48's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Leeds, UK
They are legal in this country (UK), some Audi's are coming with funky LED sidelights. The one I've shown in the picture is an example. I would like to fit white LEDs on mine. Yes I wanted them to come on at the same time as the side lights, but I'm not sure exactly how to do it you see. Would I need to do it in the wires below the fuse box in the engine bay?
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:17 PM
  #6  
Jedi54's Avatar
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 22,444
Likes: 2,799
From: The Dark Side
not sure exactly how to wire them but I BELIEVE you might be able to tap the wires going into the side markers. Those are easy to take out.
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:20 PM
  #7  
Mazurfer's Avatar
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 12
From: Indialantic, Florida
As someone already said, I would tap into the wires that run into the side markers. Those come on when you turn the lights on, then you just have to run the wires out to where you are going to mount the LED strips or whatever. I think the issue will be in how you mount those and the fact thyat you better make sure you have them waterproof. If you are going with something that already exists in some sort of a waterproof housing, then............okay, you just have to figure out how to mount them.
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:20 PM
  #8  
akhan48's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Leeds, UK
Yeah I have replaced the side-lights with superlux xenon white LEDs, lost some skin in the process, but still managed it! So would the power come from tapping the sidelight cables do you think? Or would they have to be powered from elsewhere?
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:22 PM
  #9  
Mazurfer's Avatar
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 12
From: Indialantic, Florida
Originally Posted by akhan48
Yeah I have replaced the side-lights with superlux xenon white LEDs, lost some skin in the process, but still managed it! So would the power come from tapping the sidelight cables do you think? Or would they have to be powered from elsewhere?
You'll be okay with the cables. I can't imagine that they would draw that much current unless you plan on some really high intensity ones or have a crapload of them on there. Read what I wrote above about being waterproof.
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:37 PM
  #10  
kersh4w's Avatar
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 3
From: DC Area
thats a hot rx8! holy crap! i love those white oe rims.

i also like how they removed the stock front grill and replaced it with a metal one. i've been thinking about doing that for quite some time now.
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:41 PM
  #11  
Mazurfer's Avatar
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 12
From: Indialantic, Florida
Originally Posted by kersh4w
thats a hot rx8! holy crap! i love those white oe rims.

i also like how they removed the stock front grill and replaced it with a metal one. i've been thinking about doing that for quite some time now.
Believe several have done it(the grill) and there are different types for sale by various companies. I also believe there may be a DIY on it.
Old 01-18-2008 | 07:51 PM
  #12  
llzjayarzll's Avatar
meow
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
ridiculously easy. just tap into the sidemarker or the driving light thats a few inches away. the only hard part is finding a good enough looking mounting place.
Old 01-19-2008 | 11:52 PM
  #13  
daisuke's Avatar
rotorized!!!
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
any idea why they're not legal? doesn't seem like something that would make you dangerous
Old 01-20-2008 | 12:13 AM
  #14  
kersh4w's Avatar
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 3
From: DC Area
Originally Posted by Mazurfer
Believe several have done it(the grill) and there are different types for sale by various companies. I also believe there may be a DIY on it.
sweet thanks. you know if you can remove the part that is blocking air flow behind the top half of the grill? once it gets warmer im going to do that (if its possible, and i dont see why not) and replace the grill with rb screens. oils too.

anyone notice there is TONS of space to put an intercooler in there? its almost as if someone designed it that way.
Old 01-25-2008 | 12:32 AM
  #15  
Eight's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
As long as its white in color I think the cops won't bother pulling you over, unless they're in a really bad mood... I've seen some banged up cars with cheap ebay led fogs (driving lights) in different colors but its not even close to the brightness above.
PIAA has a led driving lights called "deno" which looks like the pic but not as wide.... you can find those on ebay too.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Carbon8
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
42
02-27-2020 09:39 AM
JimmyBlack
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
273
02-10-2020 11:23 PM
Trancemission
RX-8 Multimedia/Photo Gallery
46
12-02-2015 08:26 PM
RX8mzda
New Member Forum
1
10-14-2015 06:12 PM
Tsurugi
New Member Forum
0
09-07-2015 09:27 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:50 PM.