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Under Hood Lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by claymore, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. Dec 29, 2012 at 8:46 PM
    #1
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD cat back exhaust, console vault(for my little friend),Pop and Lock, Bak Flip G2, Weather Tech window covers, LED inside and out, DTRL Anytime, Grillcraft Grill, BAMF Light Bar with Hella 500s and Blitzpro 15D, Eibach with 5100's all around set at .85 and top plate spacers, LR UCA's, toytec 2" add a leaf, Duratrack 285 75 16, ABS kill switch, Aux reverse lights, Blue Sea Aux fuse block, ImMrYo Bracket, LED Bedlights, Ultra Gauge,
    I have been wanting some under hood lights for a while now. It is dark under there, even in the day light. I have looked at some LED's like these,http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/95593-led-hood-lights.html#post1826234, but they just seem vulnerable. I liked the light they put out and the low amp draw, but I didnt like adhesive holding them on in a hot engine compartment. I also worried about them when pressure washing the engine bay. I bought some cheap fog lights from Pep Boys for $24. They just seem a little more sturdy.
    [​IMG]
    I found a spot to drill into the underside of the hood. Very Carefully!
    [​IMG]
    I attached the mounting bracket with rivots and used a washer to be sure
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Light mounted and carefully checked to make sure there is no contact when the hood is closed. I also got it away from the radiator to try to help with it getting too hot.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    The hardest part as mentioned by DWreck in his post is feeding the wires up through to hood. Patience and tie wire are the keys. I made a little hook out of the wire and it helped feed it in. I installed a switch and wired it up with a relay. It is like bright sunshine under there at night! :D
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Dec 29, 2012 at 9:07 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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  3. Dec 29, 2012 at 9:09 PM
    #3
    Bengland25

    Bengland25 Never Forget! 343

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    Well done! Idk if you stated it or not, simply because the tapatalk app doesn't show text sometimes, but how'd you wire in a switch??
     
  4. Dec 29, 2012 at 9:14 PM
    #4
    Kolunatic

    Kolunatic Broke ass

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    Very nice indeed.
     
  5. Dec 29, 2012 at 9:17 PM
    #5
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD cat back exhaust, console vault(for my little friend),Pop and Lock, Bak Flip G2, Weather Tech window covers, LED inside and out, DTRL Anytime, Grillcraft Grill, BAMF Light Bar with Hella 500s and Blitzpro 15D, Eibach with 5100's all around set at .85 and top plate spacers, LR UCA's, toytec 2" add a leaf, Duratrack 285 75 16, ABS kill switch, Aux reverse lights, Blue Sea Aux fuse block, ImMrYo Bracket, LED Bedlights, Ultra Gauge,
    I just used a cheap LED switch mounted by my aux fuse block. I figured I could just turn it on when I need it. I might put a normally closed switch on the ground for a safety just in case I forget to turn it off!
    [​IMG]

    Thanks Chris
     
  6. Dec 31, 2012 at 7:40 AM
    #6
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    TRD cat back exhaust, console vault(for my little friend),Pop and Lock, Bak Flip G2, Weather Tech window covers, LED inside and out, DTRL Anytime, Grillcraft Grill, BAMF Light Bar with Hella 500s and Blitzpro 15D, Eibach with 5100's all around set at .85 and top plate spacers, LR UCA's, toytec 2" add a leaf, Duratrack 285 75 16, ABS kill switch, Aux reverse lights, Blue Sea Aux fuse block, ImMrYo Bracket, LED Bedlights, Ultra Gauge,
    Thanks
     
  7. Mar 2, 2013 at 8:29 PM
    #7
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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  8. Mar 10, 2013 at 6:42 PM
    #8
    Aeon

    Aeon FOX HOUND

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    Coming Soon!
    nice job!
     
  9. Mar 10, 2013 at 6:46 PM
    #9
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks all. They are sure handy, and bright!:eek:
     
  10. Mar 10, 2013 at 6:51 PM
    #10
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    You can always use a mercury switch, or magnetic reed relay.

    Problem with the magnetic switch is if the magnet gets dislodged, they come on.
    Mercury switch is how Detroit did it in Buick/Olds/Caddy/Lincoln/Chrysler for decades.
     
  11. Mar 10, 2013 at 6:53 PM
    #11
    AnTiFuBaR

    AnTiFuBaR Well-Known Member

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    Looks good! Great idea.
     
  12. Mar 10, 2013 at 6:55 PM
    #12
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How does this work? Interupt the ground? I have thought of adding this, so I dont forget to turn them off.
     
  13. Mar 10, 2013 at 7:10 PM
    #13
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Mercury switch is simply a bulb containing 2 contacts and a "ball" of mercury.
    Might be hard to find because of enviro regs, but they used to be in every thermostat in every house.
    The mercury rolls back and forth in a glass tube and joins the contacts when it reaches the end. It's just a switch. It can switch either the hot or the ground.
    Install it to the hood securely, slightly "nose down" and when the hood is opened the lights will come on.

    Detroit used them to switch 20w lamps, so the pair of LEDs won't be a problem.
     
  14. Mar 10, 2013 at 7:17 PM
    #14
    anarion55

    anarion55 Well-Known Member

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    Looks great, but I have to wonder what you're doing in the engine bay, in the dark....
     
  15. Mar 10, 2013 at 7:26 PM
    #15
    krob32

    krob32 Well-Known Member

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    Just saw this. Looks good.
     
  16. Mar 10, 2013 at 8:07 PM
    #16
    claymore

    claymore [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's a secret:spy:
     
  17. Mar 28, 2013 at 1:27 PM
    #17
    lslownslow

    lslownslow Active Member

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    wow thats super bright
     
  18. Mar 28, 2013 at 1:32 PM
    #18
    bullaculla

    bullaculla IKA fabrications

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    Nah, they are super cheap and all over ebay.
    sealed type:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/WEATHERPROO...692?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d2d2e404
    Open:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-Mercu...926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a637e64ee

    I'd just use a normal switch tho. I can imagine the hood lights flashing on and off while you are wheeling :D
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2013
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  19. Mar 31, 2013 at 4:30 PM
    #19
    ckeene9

    ckeene9 Well-Known Member

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    Checking oil, jump starting someone, adding windshield washer fluid, hooking up the winch control, etc.
     

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