I'm new to electrical issues for the pathfinder (1999). Just trying to install some LED lighting for below the dashboard. I understand that I'm supposed to attach the wiring to the fuse box (located on drivers side). Red being positive to the 12V, and the black for a ground.
So I have these open wires, do I need to buy a fuse attachment or something? How am I going to connect these wires?
Or is it best to try installing to my audio system wires?
well seeing as how it's auxilary and not a functionary system (the lights)...
it'd attach it to the easiest spot.. like you said the stereo wires... positive to positive, negative to negative... you can't just ground it to the chassis, it will have to be a closed circuit.
but if you do that you'll not have to option of turning off the lights unless you put a switch on them... (guessing it came with one) ...but the reason i'm guessing for the call of attaching to the fuse box is because the lights call for more electricity than the system will be allowing... and the stereo's now have a lot more amperage than back in the day, so there should be plenty there without blowing any fuses or taking electrons from more important systems... which happens when you put high volume stereo systems in cars... which is why some high volume systems require a 2nd battery.
just for the hellovit though, i'd put in an inline fuse into the wire going to the lights. or.. before the stereo itself..
wiring new additional stuff onto your car sometimes requires mapping out the voltage/amperage going there and making sure it won't draw power from another functional part such as the ignition.
once again.. someone might want to elaborate, might be a little off or missing something.
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damn, i'm really gettin impatient waiting to get my 240 runnin.
So far I hooked up the fake theft deterrent scanner to my roof interior bulb. Will have to make a switch for it later, I just took out one of the bulbs on the passenger side so now it acts like a power switch. That way I can use both interior lights instead of just the one.
So far I hooked up the fake theft deterrent scanner to my roof interior bulb. Will have to make a switch for it later, I just took out one of the bulbs on the passenger side so now it acts like a power switch. That way I can use both interior lights instead of just the one.
not sure if you get the DIY channel, but there is a show called "Tricked Out". The dude on the show "tricks out" cars with all kinds of "cool" things like under car lighting, interior lighting, wings, spoilers, suspension, etc, etc, etc. Search for "Tricked Out". I can't remember how many episodes they did, but you should be able to find which epeisodes he did what on each different car. I think it was an Eclipse he did under car lighting.
When the host adds electrical components to vehicles, he uses fuse taps. They basically plug into an existing fuse and put 2 fuses in the spot that originally held one. Find one that is turned on with the key.
If it is interior foot well lighting, I would tap into the dimmer switch lead so that the foot well light comes on with the headlights and can be dimmed if desired.
The other option is to put it on its own switch and that way you can you can turn it on/off as needed. I would still install a fuse on the power wire to protect the lights and you PF.
not sure if you get the DIY channel, but there is a show called "Tricked Out". The dude on the show "tricks out" cars with all kinds of "cool" things like under car lighting, interior lighting, wings, spoilers, suspension, etc, etc, etc. Search for "Tricked Out". I can't remember how many episodes they did, but you should be able to find which epeisodes he did what on each different car. I think it was an Eclipse he did under car lighting.
When the host adds electrical components to vehicles, he uses fuse taps. They basically plug into an existing fuse and put 2 fuses in the spot that originally held one. Find one that is turned on with the key.
If it is interior foot well lighting, I would tap into the dimmer switch lead so that the foot well light comes on with the headlights and can be dimmed if desired.
The other option is to put it on its own switch and that way you can you can turn it on/off as needed. I would still install a fuse on the power wire to protect the lights and you PF.
Alright thanks so much, I need to go buy some fuse taps then.
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