interior lights question

[the dutch guy]

i want to replace the standard bulb lights with a LED strip across the width of the front cab, the current draw will be much higher (2~3 amps) becase of this.

are the lights controllled by a computer (wich imples there is probably a MOSFET instead of a relay) and is there any documentation of what the limit is what current you can draw?
if there is a interior computer then what is the location of it? i might open it up then and see what switching there is inside and it's rating.

[Altransit]

Mk6? They're controlled by a timer relay. Mk7? They're controlled by the BCM which wont take kindly to a draw that high

How many LED's are on this strip, that it draws 2-3 Amps

[andz327]

Fook me what kind of led are those and how many in your strip

[ake]

The maximum interior light draw on a MK7 is 75watts (5 amps) this includes cab and load area lights

[the dutch guy]

Mk6? They're controlled by a timer relay. Mk7? They're controlled by the BCM which wont take kindly to a draw that high
How many LED's are on this strip, that it draws 2-3 Amps

it's for a MK6.
and i have a few rolls of 5630 led strip left of another project and i want to do the front cab (side to side, 1.5 meters) and 3 bands in the rear front to back for a total of 7~8 meters or so of led strip.
the strips i have can deliver about 1000 lumens per meter. basically on full power it's like having a 1kW halogen construction light in theloading area.
i also use it in my living room along the entire edge of the walls to light the room. at full power it can use up to 15W per meter or about 120W when i am done with the rear of the van.
you can find it on ebay if you search for 5630 led strip, get the 300 led per 5 meter version.

where is the timer relay located?


ps: yes, i am going to put a dimmer on it so i don't crash when the wife turns the lights on to find the lipstick or something.
that is why i need to know the location of the relay and cables so i can edit the wiring and bypass the relay if i want to. i want all the interior lights controlled on the space under the radio were the ESP button should be.

[richgold]

at full power it can use up to 15W per meter or about 120W when i am done with the rear of the van.

I can smell burning already, and you've not even fitted it yet.

[the dutch guy]

15W spread over a meter is not much, a interior light is 5W or so and stuffed in a space the size of the keyfob. it will get handwarm at best. i have the same strip in my living room ceiling.

[amlav]

15w over 1 meter equals just over 1amp . Can't believe an LED strip would drag that much . I would go with different lighting arrangement to be on the safe side .

[the dutch guy]

15w over 1 meter equals just over 1amp . Can't believe an LED strip would drag that much . I would go with different lighting arrangement to be on the safe side .

i have some industrial strips that do 35W per meter, but those need a external led driver. and decent quality of flexible strip can pull well over 15W per meter but those are usually 24v and not practical in a 12v van.
Led trips give a very uniform lighting over the entire length of the van and use considerably less power for the amount of light they produce compared to the regular factory bulbs. and lets be honest, the factory bulbs in the rear are less then pathetic to say it kindly. having a uniform lighting across the entire length of the rear section makes life so much better. and i have over 250Ah of battery capacty so i am not scared of draining the battery. it would take 30+ hours to drain the leisure battery with the led strip i plan to use.


i stil dont know where the relay is....

[ake]

15w over 1 meter equals just over 1amp . Can't believe an LED strip would drag that much . I would go with different lighting arrangement to be on the safe side .

i have some industrial strips that do 35W per meter, but those need a external led driver. and decent quality of flexible strip can pull well over 15W per meter but those are usually 24v and not practical in a 12v van.
Led trips give a very uniform lighting over the entire length of the van and use considerably less power for the amount of light they produce compared to the regular factory bulbs. and lets be honest, the factory bulbs in the rear are less then pathetic to say it kindly. having a uniform lighting across the entire length of the rear section makes life so much better. and i have over 250Ah of battery capacty so i am not scared of draining the battery. it would take 30+ hours to drain the leisure battery with the led strip i plan to use.


i stil dont know where the relay is....

In the relay box perhaps

[the dutch guy]

Wich relay? I dont have any manuals in the van. I did order a haynes book but that takes a week or 2 to deliver.
Is it the relay box under the passenger side lid?

[Altransit]

If only there were pictures on here ..............................................

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=71739

[the dutch guy]

Great, that will get me going.

[v8dave]

I used a slightly smaller size of led strip in my van.

3 strips 1 metre long are way more than you need in the back.
And a single segment of 3 leds is enough to replace the normal light in the front without blinding everyone for miles around.

Try some from an external power source before you commit.

At least on a mk6 with a relay the'll turn off properly, the mk7 uses a solid state switch in the bcm and that leaks - in true darkness you can still see the leds are just lit when the power is supposed to be off.

[the dutch guy]

I am doing a camper conversion and i really have a pet peeve with directional lighting. Id rather put in a strip across the entire length or width of the van in order to get uniform lighting then always having dark spaces or large shadows when trying to find something. Installing a dimmer is only £1,70 if i need to order them from china. Right now i rather have too much light then not enough.

I will check the wiring and relay for current capacity and make modifications were needed. I still have to install a 240v socket in the front so i still have some interior removal to do.