The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

Way too many switches to try to wire resistors inline. Almost all are connected to relays, so I'm not sure if the output loss would matter or not.

If I don't see the caps at the stores, than I will try the black paint. I will worry about this after the brake circuit is fixed, and the tow lights are working.

 

[toypaseo]

Black magic marker to dim down the LEDs

 

[gmanpaint]

Had to run to the parts store for some electrical stuffs, and while there I looked for the transparent switch caps, and nada. So I chose to buy the black rubber vac caps, and taking Jon's idea, going to poke a small hole on the tips to allow a little light shine through.The end.

Funny how all the comments on this happened, as I only mentioned the tape on them, so you all wouldn't call me out on it in the first place !! LOL, you guys are awesome.

 

[96EXXLTinCO]

Kind of pricey stuff, but Oreillys sells VHT nightshade which is a spray on tint used to tint turn signals and tail lights. $15 a can but would work to dim those switches down. Just apply coats until you’re happy with the light output.

 

[traveler]

You'd be amazed at how bright those little LEDs are. LoL just tape em. I've decided to just get a good ol fashioned switch that doesn't have a light on it. If its up its on, if its down its off.

 

[gmanpaint]

Umm, look back at my last post guys. Lol

 

[KurtECV]

For resistors you would have to wire them in INSIDE the switch, OR on the ground side of the switch (that ground should be for the LED light only, not talking about the ground on the relay) that should dim the light down, but the kicker will be getting the resistance right for how bright/dim you want it.

I have these cole hersee switches, ordered them through Ford when i was a tech there. spendy but they give off an amber glow when off and red when on. I have them in single and dual throw

 

[KurtECV]

auto parts stores should carry these caps.

 

[gmanpaint]

For those that have ran wires from the engine bay to the rear bumper under the rig, how have you gone about it?

An 8 awg, & an 10 awg wire to run down the Drivers side.
Top of the frame,
Inside the Frame,
Attached to the body,
Etc...

 

[Brian1]

For those that have ran wires from the engine bay to the rear bumper under the rig, how have you gone about it?

Top of frame using my rock slider mounting bolts and some factory holes in the rear of the frame with "adel clamps". Mine is a single 2AWG that I only sleeved in some loom where chaffing might occur and not the whole length.

 

[gmanpaint]

Thanks Brian.
I ran the 8 awg on top of the frame already, and thought ... Hmmm, is there a better way? Lol

Good idea on those style clamps. I have a bunch left over from the trailer build.

I have to run a 10 awg from the brake controller to the 7 pin at the bumper still. Since this wire is exiting the interior, I might try to run it out the floor plug used for the stock tcase. Run it under the body to the rear bumper cross member, drop it down leaving some slack for frame flex, to the bumper.

Just thinking aloud here is all.

 

[CDW6212R]

Good ideas there, the hole under the driver's seat is good to run wiring from inside the cab.

I ran 8ga wire along the inside of the frame to an air compressor at the back on the frame. I used the large hole already in the top of the frame, just behind where the heat shield is for the brake/fuel lines behind the LF UCA.

I'm going to cut a new frame hole in my 98 later, or strengthen that hole, to run the fuel/brakes lines through it, to make more room for a 3" collector and pipes.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

dumb question but how small do they make pvc pipe?

 

[gmanpaint]

Never though of that Tim. It would have to be hidden (painted black) completely if used. That is some gawd ugly stuff. lol

Schedule 20 with 1/2" ID is about the smallest. It works if you have straight level runs. I used it for just this purpose under Nightshade with a 4 foot run underneath. Watertight 3/4" ID flex tube would work better for this purpose, but it is twice as big ( and 10 times as expensive), and would have to run under the body tucked up in the cavities. Still tho, Hmm.....yeah...... Have to think on this for a spell. Initial thought is No, but the day is still early.

This rig has 4 sets of bolts over/under each frame rail, from the sliders. I have some of the PVC conduit on hand. I can test this idea, and see if it would work or not.

 

[donalds]

You can buy black pvc and bend it with a little heat

A heat gun not to much heat

 

[Turdle]

Color difference would be a good thing in my mind because it would make the added electrical lines more easily indentifiable. Nobody is going to crawl under to look anyway--

 

[gmanpaint]

Won't see it if under the body.
Will see it if on the frame.
(3" body lift)

I would know what it is, and not worried about anybody else needing to know. Lol

 

[vroomzoomboom]

can it be heated and bent without melting?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

or garden hose if you can find some that isnt a eyesore

 

[gmanpaint]

Hmm.. they do make a smaller garden hose for RV use. Along that line of thought, clear tubing comes in a variety of sizes.

I just realized, that I already did the clear tube on the frame rail, on the 94 Ex, for the rear camera wires. lol