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DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip

GtX

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The RGB+w has 5 conductors

RED - +12v
BLUE - +12v
GREEN - +12v
White - +12v
Black - -12v (ground)

Without a controller, passing +12v to a single color will give just the single color.

The +W have a true White LED SMD chip alternating with the RGB chip

RGB+++W+++RGB+++W+++RGB+++W

By applying power to both the RED and WHITE you get a very nice effect :)
Thank you. I was planning to order a white strip and a red strip then run them parallel. This will be cleaner.
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Adamoni

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Thanks for write up. Love this mod. I’m gearing up for it. Any concerns about SPDT switch not weatherproof for those top off days?
 

Redbaron73

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I finished the mod today. I decided to add one to the tailgate for topless days as well as one to the glass.

I spent a lot of time routing the cables along the factory path.

For the top, I am using a water proof Deutsch dt connector.

The SPDT switch actually switches ground, as these LEDs use a single +12v connector and then connect ground to one or more leads to make color. This eliminated concerns about weatherproofing that switch.

For the tailgate, I routed the wire along the bundle to make sure it flexes still, and tied it in place. I used a few 3M stick clips to hold the cable in place.
20200105_145215.jpg
20200105_145230.jpg
20200105_145234.jpg

For the window, I removed the trim that routes to the wiper motor, and notched the corner radius so my cable bundle could join it.
20200105_160622.jpg
20200105_160640.jpg


The result is amazing. Thanks to the OP for this idea.
20200105_182718.jpg
20200105_182930.jpg
20200105_182945.jpg
 
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OP
American Adventurist

American Adventurist

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I finished the mod today. I decided to add one to the tailgate for topless days as well as one to the glass.

I spent a lot of time routing the cables along the factory path.

For the top, I am using a water proof Deutsch dt connector.

The SPDT switch actually switches ground, as these LEDs use a single +12v connector and then connect ground to one or more leads to make color. This eliminated concerns about weatherproofing that switch.

For the tailgate, I routed the wire along the bundle to make sure it flexes still, and tied it in place. I used a few 3M stick clips to hold the cable in place.
20200105_145215.jpg
20200105_145230.jpg
20200105_145234.jpg

For the window, I removed the trim that routes to the wiper motor, and notched the corner radius so my cable bundle could join it.
20200105_160622.jpg
20200105_160640.jpg


The result is amazing. Thanks to the OP for this idea.
20200105_182718.jpg
20200105_182930.jpg
20200105_182945.jpg
Well done!
 

SuMeRiaN

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I purchased most of the parts, this should be interesting. What gauge wire is everyone using? What amp fuse? Any wire diagrams out there? After running through the window channel and into the rear of the vehicle where next from the interior roof? I have the Sky One , the only routes I see are behind the window molding or somehow a crazy fish through the top itself, need to look again.
 

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SuMeRiaN

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Finished up this evening, it turned out perfect, BIG thanks to the OP and others. I used 20 gauge wire. I bought a soldering iron, learned enough to make me dangerous and with a little practice soldered B+W together, R and the power wire. Ended up cutting down the metal housing a bit. I was able to fish the wire through the top very cleanly. Here are a few of my pics!

Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2926


Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2933


Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2937


Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2961



Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2956


Jeep Wrangler JL DIY: Rear hatch LED light strip IMG_2959
 
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EU_Wrangler

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Thanks for this post!

I have a quick question:
Would it be possible to connect the led stripe to the interior dome light? So any time you open the tailgate, the led stripe turns on? (I want to avoid drilling the panel just to add another switch)
 

SuMeRiaN

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Thanks for this post!

I have a quick question:
Would it be possible to connect the led stripe to the interior dome light? So any time you open the tailgate, the led stripe turns on? (I want to avoid drilling the panel just to add another switch)
Possibly however the dome lights shut off after a few minutes in my limited experience. I am not sure if the factory DC outlet in the rear is always on or ignition only but I see some people tapped into it. Looks easy enough. Don't let removing the panels hold you back, watch a few guides and you will quickly become comfortable removing them.
 

calvinf1

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Instead of installing and hardwiring this type of LED lights, I bought a few of these from amazon for cheap....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TW76SRS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Benefits:
1. Cheap
2. Motion sensing (I have it attached to my tailgate tray table via magnet) and when I swing open the tailgate, the light senses the motion and turns on automatically. It will shut off 15 seconds later if it doesn't detect motion
3. Magnetic backing, can stick to any metal surface. Also comes with taped brackets for non-metal surface
4. Rechargable
5. Removable - Can use them as flash lights if I need to work on my car at night (again the magnetic backing is really beneficial here) and stick it onto the body.

At 20 bucks a piece, I bought 3 and it is plenty bright for night time tailgating.
 

rcadden

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Thought I'd update this thread that Brawlee now has an RGB option for only $5 more.

I have both the white and RGB models coming to me from Amazon this week, glad to report back.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088F6ZGBB/
 

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rcadden

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profitjudi

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You must be an experienced electrician, since you managed to do everything so skillfully! I could say it`s not super difficult to make LED strip lights in your own vehicle, but it`s not so easy. I`m not strong in electricity and installing such devices, but once I was surfing the net and came across strip lights. My first thought was to install them in a car too, but I decided to wait and installed them in the bedroom over the bed. I was pleased with the result at the first time, it wasn`t so complicated. But I still think that if you don`t know anything about electricity and its connection schemes, you shouldn`t install it in a car single-handed.
 
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Thanks for this post!

I have a quick question:
Would it be possible to connect the led stripe to the interior dome light? So any time you open the tailgate, the led stripe turns on? (I want to avoid drilling the panel just to add another switch)
You could tap the dome light and use a diode so that you could have these go on with the dome, and manually with the switch, which I will eventually do. Great write up. I’m assuming the wires get fished inside the hard top?
 

IQ_imbalance

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Were folks comfortable with 18-20awg wire for this? Seems like 14-16 awg would be the minimum based on the maximum possible power draw…..
 

bobholthaus

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Here is what different gauge wire can handle. If you want to be super conservative, never exceed 80% of this. And make sure your fuses are less than this; the goal is for the fuse to blow before the wire melts and starts a fire.


14 -- 11.8 amps (162 watts)
16 -- 7.4 amps (102 watts)
18 -- 4.6 amps (63 watts)
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