LED Hatch Light

[StitcH]

So I got pretty sick of the little light in the hatch of my car, so I replaced it with an LED strip from Ozinum. This is probably not write-up worthy seeing as it is extremely easy, but I'm bored so why not?

Here is what you will need...
- Wire Strippers
- Electrical Tape
- Ultra-Flexible Tri-Chip LED Strip (I used cool white)
- Dummy Bulbs (these are just for convience, they are not required)

Make sure the switch is off before you do anything. Also, it should be noted that I forgot to take pictures while I was putting it in. So in my pictures of the install, it is already there. Just ignore it

First things first, remove the cover under the light.


Then push on the back of the light assembly until it pops out.


Remove the old, crappy bulb.


Put in the dummy bulb with the positive wire going to the side with the switch (if you do not want to use the dummy bulb, you can solder the wires to the terminals, or come up with another way to attach them).


Remove the paper on the back and stick the strip to the underside of the "vent"


Run the wires from the LED strip into the vent and behind the light assembly. Splice the wires coming from the dummy bulb into the wires from the LED strip (I probably should have soldered the wires and heat shrunk them, but I'm not sure where my soldering iron went and I did not feel like going and buying a new one ).


Place the light assembly back into its hole and replace the cover below it.


Done



All of the before and after pictures were taken at night with an SD750, no flash.

Before:




After:





Much better, don't you think?

[ReD-DrAgOn]

yes. good job doign a write up! I was to lazy

[XERO]

Looks good!

[glennk]

Stitch, great write-up. My only vice is that the LEDs are attached to the vehicle via a sticky strip. Right now, this shouldn't be an issue with adherence. Unfortunately, our BLAZING hot summers are right around the corner and may affect the glue. Any other options? Also, is the "vent" just aesthetic or functional? If the latter, I wonder if its removable...that way, I could mount the LEDs on the inside. Thoughts?

[BSUBigMac]

Nice work! I don't own a hatch, but this seems like an inexpensive, easy, practical mods to make the car better!

Good job!!!

[ReD-DrAgOn]

Originally Posted by glennk

Stitch, great write-up. My only vice is that the LEDs are attached to the vehicle via a sticky strip. Right now, this shouldn't be an issue with adherence. Unfortunately, our BLAZING hot summers are right around the corner and may affect the glue. Any other options? Also, is the "vent" just aesthetic or functional? If the latter, I wonder if its removable...that way, I could mount the LEDs on the inside. Thoughts?

The vent is not funtional. Any panel in a car is removable, I have had the vent off before. Just kind of a pain in the ass to get back on. But no big deal.

[StitcH]

Originally Posted by glennk

My only vice is that the LEDs are attached to the vehicle via a sticky strip. Right now, this shouldn't be an issue with adherence. Unfortunately, our BLAZING hot summers are right around the corner and may affect the glue. Any other options?

I definitely know what you mean. Even though our summers don't get as hot as yours, it still might be an issue here. I'm not 100% satisfied with the adhesive as is anyway. I put it on last Friday and I have had to re-stick the last (near where the wires are) 1/2" or so of the strip 2 times. It seems solid now though. I will see how it holds up and maybe eventually zip tie it (I know Derrick and Red-Dragon have done that) or find another way to mount it.

Originally Posted by glennk

Also, is the "vent" just aesthetic or functional? If the latter, I wonder if its removable...that way, I could mount the LEDs on the inside. Thoughts?

From what I can tell, the "vent" serves no purpose. I was thinking about mounting it behind the vent, but figured it was more trouble than it was worth. You can only see the strip if your eyes are below the switch, so it is pretty well concealed. Also, I'm not sure if the vent would block some light and create a bunch of shadows...

[Anderfrank]

very nice, where did you get the LED strip and how much $ ?

[ChrisJuede]

Great job Stitch! I checked, and that vent pull up, so if you wanted to, you would easily be able to hide those wires a little more...but that is just the OCD in me talking...Im sure a couple others will agree. OTher than that, it looks awesome, and I can't wait to do this on mine as well!

[Argon]

Nice write-up. I ordered my LED's sometime last week and was looking for something like the dummy bulb you used but couldn't find one. It looks good but $3 plus shipping is too much just for the 31 mm dummy so I will probably just find some other way to attach it. I'm thinking of attaching the wires to alligator clips so that they can be put on and removed easily and without soldering.

I am adding lights to both sides like red dragon did, so I'll post up pics on here as well when I'm done.