Question about Trunk light mod...Need light strip.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 8, 2013.

  1. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    Hi everyone,

    So I just came across the mod where people are adding a little strip of LEDs to the top of trunk just under the rubber seal. I would love to do this, however I am not sure which LED strip to get. There seems to be a lot of different LED strips available. I want to only have to do it once, so would like to balance light output with non-tacky installation (as stealthy as practical/possible). Is there a good "length" to the strip? There are a lot of different "type" of LEDs...Does it matter? Is waterproofing needed given that this will be mounted in side the car? Anyone have close up picts of the LED strip install when the LED's are OFF? I saw this on e-bay and wondered if this would be a good thing to use:

    5M 3528 SMD 600 White LED Waterproof Flexible Strip Light Car Auto | eBay

    I'm in the USA so I guess keep this in mind when making recommendations. I'm going for white, but if there is an easy colored set that are easy to change then maybe I can talk my wife into driving around with the back lit up in red ;-)

    Thanks

    -Steve
     
    #1 SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 8, 2013
  2. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    you can also try CCFL strips. theyre cheap as well and are really bright. i bought a set of 2 and installed them just next to the stock lamp. heaps more white light available. :)
     
    #2 Agent J, Apr 8, 2013
  3. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Can you snap a picture of your install?
     
    #3 Justdidit, Apr 8, 2013
  4. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    What the heck is a CCFL strip?
     
    #4 SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 8, 2013
  5. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Light strips similar to what you see BMW halo lights made from.
     
    #5 Justdidit, Apr 8, 2013
  6. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    Had to google this cause my BMW mechanic is on vacation off the south of France with my horse trainer and personal helicopter ice burg wrangler who gets me the freshest ice for my smoothies. Thank goodness for google. :)

    Which CCFL strips did you buy and where did you get them?
     
    #6 SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 8, 2013
  7. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    I bought it at a local electronics store not online.. computer shops would probably have them as well as they're used also to pimp out custom desktops. i'm sure there'd be heaps online. I think that was a 2x300mm light strip. I'll post a photo when I get home.
     
    #7 Agent J, Apr 8, 2013
  8. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    Ok, I took a photo of the light strip to give you an idea where i placed it. I placed it there because it's the easiest for me to do in the least amount of time. Not ideal (because of the glare) but I'm happy with the light output. : )

    DSCN6463 copy.jpg

    DSCN6468 copy.jpg
     
    #8 Agent J, Apr 9, 2013
    Sezy likes this.
  9. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    Thanks for the pictures. That gives you a ton of light!

    -S
     
    #9 SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 9, 2013
  10. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    Glad to be of help. It's pretty much similar to this ebay item number: 250896108925
     
    #10 Agent J, Apr 9, 2013
  11. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    Just realized that this type of set up needs a ballast. I was hoping for a 12 volt splice in thing. The case you have the bulbs in looks pretty sturdy too. Again thanks for the picts you have a really neat solution for the low light problem with the Prius.
    -S
     
    #11 SLO Cat Wrangler, Apr 9, 2013
  12. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    The kit came with the ballast and case already. I just hid the ballast behind the stock lamp. The original connectors are really for the computers. I just cut them out and spliced the wires and connected them to the lamp terminals.
     
    #12 Agent J, Apr 9, 2013
  13. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    CCFL is super bright.
    [​IMG]
    Just don't like the seeing the strips... i know...I'm super picky.
    [​IMG]
    Want something more discreet. Still trying to find the best way to hide/mount the LEDs.
     
    #13 Justdidit, Apr 9, 2013
  14. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Might look into mounting it here or somewhere on the trunk lid itself.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Then I found this thread..
    Like this location best...
     
    #14 Justdidit, Apr 9, 2013
  15. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    yup, saw that one too before and gave me also the idea to mount it there as it would light just the trunk and not my face too. :p But i realized soon that it would take me longer to do that, not to mention buying an extra long wire for the other side. :)
     
    #15 Agent J, Apr 9, 2013
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