Toolbox LEDs on lid open write up.

My first write up, be gentle.

Drilled a hole for my pressure switch in the back on passenger side:


here's an outside shot:


installed the switch:


the lid open, the switch depresses and contact is made:


note: there are sharp edges all around the hole and where i cut out from the toolbox, ill get to that in a minute.

inside shot, really blurry:


had some LED strips from harbor freight, $12 for a 4 pack, they are 1.2V, used some adhesive from lowe's that was $4, caked the lights inside the lip of the toolbox, here is the wiring i ran:


another angle:


terminated the wiring:


used 3m double sided automotive tape, placed a strip about 3 foot long between the LED strips for my wiring, tucked the wires in, this is the end result:


here are the lights on:


here is the switch wired up:


used an inline fuse and ran a hot to the battery and
for the sharp edges I used a dremel to smooth them out and a pencil file for a smooth finish, on the outside and inside of the switch i used silicone to keep out moisture, i only installed 2 of the lights, because i wanted to see what they look like at night time, if i need more i will install them but im pretty sure 2 will work just fine, these pictures are poor quality, so i uploaded a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QReK4j-u_x0

i will take more pictures tonight, maybe another vid if i get enough interest

edit: here is a pic & video of it at night time. enojoy.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVnQzXmJOLg

 

Looks good man, nice writeup too. I gotta do something similar under my hood.

 

That is really good.

 

Thanks guys, I think the video does more justice than the pictures do. I'll have to do another one tonight.

 

nice write up

 

looks good, i want to do something similar here also under the hood and arm rest..a few questions...what size fuse did you use/where did you ground LED's/what route did you take for your power/the type of switch is a pressure switch, where did you get it? thanks

 

added a new night shot & video.

I used a 25amp inline fuse, with #12 wire from the battery, i plan on doing more leds with it, you only need a 1amp if you are just gonna run the 2 lights. i used an "eye" type lug on my J bolt that holds my toolbox down and i put it between the flat washer and lock washer, as far as the wiring, i drilled a hole in the top of the cubby in the right side of the bed, ran the hot wire through the same hole as the J bolt, and came through the gromet underneath the passenger side of the cab where my hot wire was that i ran from the battery.

 

Nicely done! I plan on doing something similar for under the hood and bedlights.

 

Cool. I'm gonna have to copy you. I already have power in my box. We have the same box too.

 

i put lights inside my toolbox and never had to drill such a huge hole. just a hole big enough for the wires. used a much smaller switch screwed to inside lip of the tool box that the top hits and its not noticable at all

 

May just be camera but the hole isn't big at all, my pinky wouldn't fit through it.

 

this here is what i used. fits in the corner and out of the way
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049719

 

Large
thanks for taking the time to post the pictures and video! rep coming your way

 

very nice! i went the lazy route and bought a dot-it light from home depot. it just uses 3m tape and sticks on. works okay but was only $5 so you cant expect much.
this is what i have

 

This should be sticky in the DIY section!! Nice write up hoepfully Mods think so too.

 

nice man! thanks!