DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot

city2491 · 2nd March 2020, 22:16

In my quest to remove every halogen bulb in my Honda City, and replace them with LEDs, I decided to change the boot light to an LED setup.

Now this could be done by simply replacing the T10 Halogen bulb with an LED bulb but Honda has weirdly made the housing in such a way that the bulb lies horizontally and LEDs can't illuminate the boot properly.

I added LED strip lighting to the boot which makes it brighter and easier to see inside at night.

Things needed:

LED strip lights
Soldering iron

Cost:

125 bucks

Time required:

30 minutes

Steps:

We need to remove the assembly of the bulb from its holder and take it home so we can solder our LED strip to it.

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_192722min.jpg

This is how the assembly looks. With this removed we need to solder our strips to this, so there is no wire cutting involved. The longer pin is the negative terminal and the shorter (with the capacitor) is the positive terminal.

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_192804min.jpg

The LED strip. Excuse the mess, I had to check how much I needed.

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_0276.png

This is the wiring diagram I made for the setup.

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_200755min.jpg

Soldering done. The pins were a bit difficult to get to as the pin of my soldering iron was bigger than the space near the pins. Hence it is a bit shoddy. But still better than splicing the factory wires and joining them.

With this done we can now go back to the car and check if it's working. Then disconnect the wire and stick the strip to the boot wherever decided. Do clean the surface with rubbing alcohol so that the 3M adhesive sticks properly.

I have used warm white LEDs, though if you prefer cool white you can purchase that shade. You can even go all out and get funky looking colours. With LEDs, the possibilities are endless!

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_202816min.jpg

This is how it looks. While I agree it doesn't look too pretty, this part is not visible so its fine.

(Yup, that's me lying inside the boot, its so accommodating!)

I have removed the bulb holder from its original place and put it in the centre of the boot. This helps the LEDs to be distributed evenly. Though if you wish, you can place it there also.

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_203029min.jpg

Result:

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-20200302_203001min.jpg

The boot is lit up perfectly and the LEDs are not in view. The warm white colour also looks decent.

While doing this setup, I realised just how incomplete the boot looks without cladding on it. The next boot related DIY is definitely going to be adding the cladding.

condor · 2nd March 2020, 23:13

Very nice lighting of the boot area !

Can you share the source of the LED strip & the costs ?

city2491 · 2nd March 2020, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor

Very nice lighting of the boot area !

Can you share the source of the LED strip & the costs ?

Thank you!

I got these from my nearby hardware store for 125 bucks.

GTO · 3rd March 2020, 08:31

The last picture shows the best lit boot I've ever seen! It even surpasses what one sees in luxury cars

. Cheap, quick & effective = the perfect DIY. Thanks for sharing - this thread is going to our homepage very shortly

.

gkveda · 3rd March 2020, 08:53

Very nice DYI. I was actually thinking to do this for my fortuner near Front and second row doors. But, did not get a place to hide these strips near second row doors. Hence, dropped the idea.

Relating question:Has anyone tried replacing the Halogen bulbs with with LED bulbs without strips in Fortuner? If anyone has done this, kindly let me know

Reinhard · 3rd March 2020, 09:41

Fantastic. Its always fun to do things on the car the DIY way. Always the pleasure of time well spent. And what result! Fabulous.

Let's tag this last picture to all car makers in business in the country & spoil their mood for some days to come.

condor · 3rd March 2020, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by city2491

I got these from my nearby hardware store for 125 bucks.

How much length of strip did you use ?

rajathv8 · 3rd March 2020, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by city2491

Attachment 1975942

This is how the assembly looks. With this removed we need to solder our strips to this, so there is no wire cutting involved. The longer pin is the negative terminal and the shorter (with the capacitor) is the positive terminal.

That is a diode not a capacitor.

city2491 · 3rd March 2020, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajathv8

That is a diode not a capacitor.

Oh well, I just got schooled!

Thank you for pointing out!

Dhruv Shetty · 3rd March 2020, 11:21

https://youtu.be/77t1UW4Qc7g

Nice DIY man

. Anyways found a related video to this DIY.

a4anurag · 3rd March 2020, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by city2491

I got these from my nearby hardware store for 125 bucks.

Nice DIY sir.

I too did the same on my Creta after the OEM boot lighting felt insufficient totally. If luggage was kept, the light was blocked so decided to add a strip of LED from the leftover after completing the footwell lighting.

OEM boot light output

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_20171030_0003081600x900.jpg

LED strip added on the underside of the parcel tray

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_20180916_1441321600x900.jpg

Post DIY light output - closeup

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_20180915_2136571600x900.jpg

Shot from distance

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_20180915_2136411600x900.jpg

DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot-img_20180915_2136471600x900.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The last picture shows the best lit boot I've ever seen! It even surpasses what one sees in luxury cars. Cheap, quick & effective = the perfect DIY.

+1.

The cost incurred for the DIY is nothing when the output is checked and the value it adds, in the long run, is priceless. One doesn't need to fumble around the boot to search for stuff or hold mobiles phones with flashlight ON.

Stribog · 3rd March 2020, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Nice DIY sir.

I too did the same on my Creta after the OEM boot lighting felt insufficient totally. If luggage was kept, the light was blocked so decided to add a strip of LED from the leftover after completing the footwell lighting.

.

Was this also DIY? I like this idea a lot, but definitely lack all skills (I have 10 thumbs when it comes to DIY) and was thinking of asking my detailer guy to do this.

Am sure he will charge me 500 bucks, but seems worth it.

nishsingh · 3rd March 2020, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4anurag

The cost incurred for the DIY is nothing when the output is checked and the value it adds, in the long run, is priceless. One doesn't need to fumble around the boot to search for stuff or hold mobiles phones with flashlight ON.

I actually want to lie down in there with a blanket and a book in my hand.

This makes me realize there is so much more that car companies can do than they are doing now, without spending (almost) anything at all.

a4anurag · 3rd March 2020, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stribog

Was this also DIY? I like this idea a lot, but definitely lack all skills (I have 10 thumbs when it comes to DIY) and was thinking of asking my detailer guy to do this.

Yes sir. It was a DIY indeed. I've documented it here.

It is easy and won't take you long if you have all the tools and items needed.

ascii · 3rd March 2020, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by city2491

This is the wiring diagram I made for the setup.

Fantastic Work! And thank you for sharing with the wiring diagram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard

...Its always fun to do things on the car the DIY way.

My question to both of you : How do you determine the load? The original bulb must be rated at certain wattage & current rating. The holder must be designed for that load. How to determine the max length of strip possible?

So that we do not overload the wiring or battery. (May be it's a stupid question)
Also, I heard about some driver circuitry when I bought some LED lights (even 3w light with 3 LEDs). Not installing them, will it make some difference?

2nd March 2020, 22:16	#1
city2491 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mumbai Posts: 123 Thanked: 696 Times	DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot In my quest to remove every halogen bulb in my Honda City, and replace them with LEDs, I decided to change the boot light to an LED setup. Now this could be done by simply replacing the T10 Halogen bulb with an LED bulb but Honda has weirdly made the housing in such a way that the bulb lies horizontally and LEDs can't illuminate the boot properly. I added LED strip lighting to the boot which makes it brighter and easier to see inside at night. Things needed: LED strip lights Soldering iron Cost: 125 bucks Time required: 30 minutes Steps: We need to remove the assembly of the bulb from its holder and take it home so we can solder our LED strip to it. This is how the assembly looks. With this removed we need to solder our strips to this, so there is no wire cutting involved. The longer pin is the negative terminal and the shorter (with the capacitor) is the positive terminal. The LED strip. Excuse the mess, I had to check how much I needed. This is the wiring diagram I made for the setup. Soldering done. The pins were a bit difficult to get to as the pin of my soldering iron was bigger than the space near the pins. Hence it is a bit shoddy. But still better than splicing the factory wires and joining them. With this done we can now go back to the car and check if it's working. Then disconnect the wire and stick the strip to the boot wherever decided. Do clean the surface with rubbing alcohol so that the 3M adhesive sticks properly. I have used warm white LEDs, though if you prefer cool white you can purchase that shade. You can even go all out and get funky looking colours. With LEDs, the possibilities are endless! This is how it looks. While I agree it doesn't look too pretty, this part is not visible so its fine. (Yup, that's me lying inside the boot, its so accommodating!) I have removed the bulb holder from its original place and put it in the centre of the boot. This helps the LEDs to be distributed evenly. Though if you wish, you can place it there also. Result: The boot is lit up perfectly and the LEDs are not in view. The warm white colour also looks decent. While doing this setup, I realised just how incomplete the boot looks without cladding on it. The next boot related DIY is definitely going to be adding the cladding.
	(45) Thanks

2nd March 2020, 23:13	#2
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 16,242 Thanked: 16,855 Times View My Garage	re: DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot Very nice lighting of the boot area ! Can you share the source of the LED strip & the costs ?
	(1) Thanks

3rd March 2020, 08:31	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,815 Thanked: 321,335 Times View My Garage	Re: DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot The last picture shows the best lit boot I've ever seen! It even surpasses what one sees in luxury cars . Cheap, quick & effective = the perfect DIY. Thanks for sharing - this thread is going to our homepage very shortly .
	(9) Thanks

3rd March 2020, 08:53	#5
gkveda Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,154 Thanked: 4,761 Times	Re: DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot Very nice DYI. I was actually thinking to do this for my fortuner near Front and second row doors. But, did not get a place to hide these strips near second row doors. Hence, dropped the idea. Relating question:Has anyone tried replacing the Halogen bulbs with with LED bulbs without strips in Fortuner? If anyone has done this, kindly let me know
	(1) Thanks

3rd March 2020, 09:41	#6
Reinhard Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 4,908 Thanked: 18,117 Times View My Garage	Re: DIY: Adding LED strip lighting inside the boot Fantastic. Its always fun to do things on the car the DIY way. Always the pleasure of time well spent. And what result! Fabulous. Let's tag this last picture to all car makers in business in the country & spoil their mood for some days to come.
	(2) Thanks