DIY homemade underglow

[dersch6221992]

Okay I was pondering the other day.

If you go on eBay they have those 10mm any other sized prewired led bulbs. I was thinking would it be possible to make your own under glow?
Could i just use these led bulbs put them where I want them and do it that way?

Or would it be easier to just buy a kit?

 

[DjDom]

If you buy weather resistant LEDs, of course you can make your own.

 

[dersch6221992]

How many would you put per side of vehicle? And how close? I don't want it to be just a single led hitting the ground. I want it so its just a constant line of orange under the truck like under glow does

 

[DjDom]

Hmm, just buy long LED strips that you can cut to length. Run one on each side of the truck, aimed straight down, probably attached to the frame.

Make sure to get 5050SMD LED strips though, for the brightest output.

 

[dersch6221992]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251453650752
So something like these? How do you cut them into strips?

 

[willindsay]

I made my own kit with a piece of PVC pipe and about 100 orange LEDs. It was a pain in the but but it was cheap and gave me a project to work on for a while. I think there's pics in my registry that should give you an idea on how I did it.

 

[wbrudi28]

look up ip68 LED strip on amazon. its a strip of LEDs with wires presoldered, i believe they are 16ft long. ip68 is the waterproof rating meaning they are completely submersible. i have some im waiting to put on the underside of my doors and wire them into the door ajar lights so they illuminate my side steps.

good luck

 

[DjDom]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251453650752
So something like these? How do you cut them into strips?

Yup, that would work.
The strips actually are made to be cut every 3 LEDs or so. You'll see lines on them where you can cut.
The ones you linked to, see how they have a darker section every 3 LEDs? That's where you'd cut them.
And those would be perfect since they're 12V DC.

Forgot to mention, you'll need more connectors if you plan to cut them into more than 2 pieces. Since it only has wiring at the start and end.
Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-led-to-l...573145?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item4862d1f899

 

[dersch6221992]

Yup, that would work.
The strips actually are made to be cut every 3 LEDs or so. You'll see lines on them where you can cut.
The ones you linked to, see how they have a darker section every 3 LEDs? That's where you'd cut them.
And those would be perfect since they're 12V DC.

Forgot to mention, you'll need more connectors if you plan to cut them into more than 2 pieces. Since it only has wiring at the start and end.
Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-led-to-l...573145?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item4862d1f899

So basically those connectors you posted...
I'd buy the 16.5 foot roll. I'd put the LED strips wherever I want. Use those clips to connect them all and just run them off one wire?

I know you can get kits for like $40. But I feel like I could do better with spending a $30 on two roles of LED and then connect them up and place them where I want them.

 

[DjDom]

So basically those connectors you posted...
I'd buy the 16.5 foot roll. I'd put the LED strips wherever I want. Use those clips to connect them all and just run them off one wire?

I know you can get kits for like $40. But I feel like I could do better with spending a $30 on two roles of LED and then connect them up and place them where I want them.

Yup, basically. But make sure you get the right connectors, and that they're weatherproof. I just posted an example, but you have to find out which ones will work properly. Some are a simple 2 contact connection, others use 4 or more.

 

[wbrudi28]

the ones i posted are also 3/circuit. you can just solder wires to the ends, i only plan on cutting it in half so i only need 1 additional.

those clips make it easier though. i have adhesive lined shrink tubing that both insulates and waterroofs the end connection at the same time. normal shrink tubing from radioshack or anywhere else waterproof, it's simply water resistant. the led strip itself is completely waterproof.

http://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Marine-Electrical-Activated-Adhesive/dp/B000QCPKE8

 

[aryork]

Go to aliexpress.com and search for eagle eye LED. Look for the 9 or 10W versions that claim to be waterproof (about a buck or two each). I did mine in green using six of these LEDs. They are bright and cheap. Several lessons learned: 1) I had to reglue the lenses in with silicone (original glue job terrible) and just use a small amount, 2) had to add a bit of silicone on the back where the wire comes out of the threaded stem (original waterproofing sloppy), and 3) have to treat them like flood lights and direct them properly. Directing them makes mounting a pain because it has to be somewhat precise. Having done it this way, I would suggest the LED strips at least for the sides. The glow will be more uniform. You probably do not need a continuous strip of LEDs to go down the entire side of the vehicle - maybe just 3 or so per foot and I think that would light it up very well. At night it looks very cool - like the car is hovering on the road!