Adding LED Lights to Inside of Trailer - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

meburdick · 12-04-2012, 09:50 PM

I have a 101 x 10 trailer that I just finished installing a clamshell onto. Now, I want more light inside and am considering installing some LEDs.

I was looking at the LED strips, bars, and ropes... But, I'm wondering what you have done to add lighting to your trailer that is effective and not overly expensive.

If I was to go the LED Strip route, I would likely install two strips "front to back", one directly over each sled position.

If you have pics of your project, even better!

**kccats** · 12-04-2012, 10:05 PM

I have both 110 and 12v lights in my trailer! I have led puck lights under each cabinet/work station!
You can even put a small lawn mower battery to run them and then jump to the Running Light to recharge the battery!

meburdick · 12-04-2012, 10:07 PM

You and your lawnmower batteries!!!

I don't think I want to get that involved. My interest is in being able to see inside the trailer at night if I'm fueling, loading, unloading, clamping down the skis, etc. It's a clamshell, so I'm not working in there (no room). It doesn't have to be daylight-like, but I'd like to be able to lift a hood and make sure that there's no fluids in the belly pan or be able to see what's inside the windshield bag if I'm searching around for a plug or something...

Know what I mean?

JheLrey · 12-05-2012, 06:18 AM

I had wired a cigarette outlet into mine using the charging wire in my 7 way. I would plug my spot light into it and had plenty of light where I needed it. Plus, it was warm!

I also used a bunjy cord to hold the hood up to the lid since it couldn't open far enough to stay open on its own.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 07:22 AM

Interesting idea about the bungee cords - I may do that.

For lighting, though, I'm trying to just add better interior lights than that simple little 'dome light' mounted by the access door while keeping the connection to the 4-wire harness.

LEDs are the desired solution because they throw a fair amount of light, are lightweight, are small, and draw very little power. I'll either wire them in so that the switch of the existing light controls them as well as its own light, or will add a second, small switch for the LEDs (and maybe even remove the current light).

JDS · 12-05-2012, 10:38 AM

I carry an led headlamp in my snowmobile coat pocket. That way the light is always where you want it. Also, I have several led lights that have a switch that you can hang inside the hood of a sled or elsewhere. I keep these in the center console of my truck.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

I have both 110 and 12v lights in my trailer! I have led puck lights under each cabinet/work station!
You can even put a small lawn mower battery to run them and then jump to the Running Light to recharge the battery!

I forgot to ask you if your LED lights were 12 or 110... I don't need or want 110 in the trailer, but I'm wondering if my best solutions might actually be from some 12V LED lights like you might be describing. If they are 12V, do you have a link to what you used or to something similar?

I've also found a link to a thread somewhere where someone suggested 12V fog lights mounted to the ceiling. I have no doubt these would throw good light (even with the 55W bulbs, not the 110W), but I don't know how much power they would draw. I don't want to over-draw to the trailer since I'll be able to use these extra lights only when all the rest of the lights are on as well.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 01:07 PM

I have just a single little light in mine that came with the trailer when I got it, and was also looking to add more light inside as well. It's nice to have cuz you never know.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridegreen

I have just a single little light in mine that came with the trailer when I got it, and was also looking to add more light inside as well. It's nice to have cuz you never know.

Same here... And, I get more light from the candles on my birthday cake at this point (but we won't discuss that... Shhh!).

Definitely want a little more but I'm not looking to go overboard.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meburdick

Same here... And, I get more light from the candles on my birthday cake at this point (but we won't discuss that... Shhh!).

Definitely want a little more but I'm not looking to go overboard.

Lol isn't that the truth. I'll more then likely go with LED, just looking for the style I want. I was lookin at LEDs the size of the light that's in there now and was thinking of putting one in the front and in the back and side to side, should give out more then enough light.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridegreen

Lol isn't that the truth. I'll more then likely go with LED, just looking for the style I want. I was lookin at LEDs the size of the light that's in there now and was thinking of putting one in the front and in the back and side to side, should give out more then enough light.

I'm thinking that LED strips (one front-to-back over each position) is an option, but it seems that those require some sort of special switch... Dunno yet.

I'm also considering puck / dome lights, and would probably put one directly in front of each sled (facing down so I don't get blinded when loading) and one directly over each handlebar so I can see the tank, the gauges, and under the hood.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 01:27 PM

Sounds like were pretty much on the same page. Then I'd take the light that's in there now and mount it on the front of the trailer so I have light should I have to hook up at night.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridegreen

Sounds like were pretty much on the same page.

I'll do mine, then sell you the "kit".

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meburdick

I'll do mine, then sell you the "kit".

Lol ok. If you should do it before me, I'd like to see some pics. Plus how do you plan to tie in the wiring?

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridegreen

Lol ok. If you should do it before me, I'd like to see some pics. Plus how do you plan to tie in the wiring?

All of my wiring is done in "legs" (SnoPro). At each light, there's a splice to add the next section of wiring while the previous wire terminates and connects to the light. Everything grounds through the aluminum frame by screwing directly to it.

I figured I'd follow the same principle.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meburdick

All of my wiring is done in "legs" (SnoPro). At each light, there's a splice to add the next section of wiring while the previous wire terminates and connects to the light. Everything grounds through the aluminum frame by screwing directly to it.

I figured I'd follow the same principle.

oh okay I got you

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 04:31 PM

Well, it seems that the Flexible Strip Lighting (LED Ribbons) can be hardwired directly to a 12V source. I ordered a couple of 5 meter strips and will wire it all in together with some light gauge wire (I just need to find a way to switch it, and I'm thinking I'll tap the switch on the existing light as the power source).

I'll split the power source at the front of the trailer, connect to each of the strips (solder connection), then solder a short wire for the ground and use a connector ring and self-tapping screw to attach it to the frame. Should add quite a bit of light while adding only about 2A of current draw.

Total cost will be about $30.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 04:53 PM

Pleas post up some pics.

meburdick · 12-05-2012, 05:03 PM

I'll start a whole new thread on it and do just that. I have a lot going on, but I'll definitely try and at least work on it a little at a time and track my progress. Lights are supposed to come in on 12/7 and I already have pretty much everything else I need.

ridegreen · 12-05-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meburdick

I'll start a whole new thread on it and do just that. I have a lot going on, but I'll definitely try and at least work on it a little at a time and track my progress. Lights are supposed to come in on 12/7 and I already have pretty much everything else I need.

Sweetness..