RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015) Discussion topics related to the 2010 - 2015 RX350 and RX450H models

Where do I get Power for LED lights

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Old 02-26-12, 03:25 PM
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zmanou812
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Default Where do I get Power for LED lights

I'm looking to tap power to turn on additional LED lights under each seat on back floor and on the overhead console home link buttons.
Where did you guys find power that turns on with the lights or are you hooking up to power that is on all the time?
Any info would help.
Thanks in advance
Old 02-26-12, 04:12 PM
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kitlz
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That would be MEP.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...hting-mod.html

He tried the overhead console. It was a bust.
Old 02-27-12, 06:42 AM
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zmanou812
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I've had the overhead console down and the only power up there is switched either on or off.
There is no power up there that switches on and off with the lights.

If I need power that turns on and off with lights I'll have to bring it up there or settle for ignition on power.
Old 02-27-12, 06:13 PM
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MEP7557
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You have to use the ignition power since nothing up there is illuminated by the headlight activation. I put LED lights in up there but the buttons are solid and there is not enough space around the buttons to illuminate them properly. Only choice is to drill holes in the buttons and it was not worth it. I made my garage door the center button and I aim for the console spot light that is up there, which by the way, is always on with ignition.

Let me know how you fare.
Old 02-27-12, 06:18 PM
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zmanou812
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I found that out last week about the live power only and solid buttons but since then I found a mini wedge shape led that I'm going to mount on the outside just behind the tiny led up therealready and it will face foreward illuminating all buttons in blue or white !
I just want to run switched power up there to do it.
Old 02-27-12, 06:33 PM
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MEP7557
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Make sure you post pics or Anita will come down on you. The lights under the seats I think are the best thing I have done. They are so cool and each one acts independently when you open the rear door.
Old 02-27-12, 06:53 PM
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kitlz
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MEP, no need to scare off the newbies. Pics are for the benefit of all. Plus I didn't say it was mandatory
Old 02-27-12, 09:22 PM
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MEP7557
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Sorry, I'll behave, promise. I don't want to scare anyone away.
Old 02-28-12, 08:01 AM
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zmanou812
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Thanks Guys I will get picks of the overhead,
Don't worry I won't scare I've done plenty of mods in the past and have taken good pic too.
Here is where I keep the pic files,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zman_itlgo/sets
Copy and paste this address andyou'll see what I've done to my Vette !
Old 02-28-12, 08:33 AM
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kitlz
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Nice. Looks like what MEP did last year to his RX. I'm not that brave.
Old 03-02-12, 08:36 AM
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zmanou812
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OK
I've got all my lights & bulbs in from V-led and I will do as follows:
The under the seat lights are to be BLUE LEDs I got from "superbrightleds"
they are called "LD1 series Little Dot SMD LED Accent Light"
I will get the power from the Pillar next to the seats like Mep did in his write up,

I bought wedge looking leds that kinda look like the windshield washer nozzle
that I will use to illuminate the overhead console,
I bought "LED MICRO LIGHTS" from Walmart.
Do a google search on "LED MICRO LIGHTS"
and find the ones at walmart, those are what I bought.
They come two lights connected to a cig plug.
I confirmed they are 12v and I'm useing just one of the lights to shine foreward over the buttons and switches on overhead.

I will be serching the under hood fuses for a fuse that comes on and off with headlight for source of power for that light.
I also want that headlight switched power for inside of center console it's to dark in there too !
Maybe that is where I'll use that other light that comes in the set from Walmart !

The bulbs I bought from V-leds will just be a switch from oringinal to blue LED for under front dash for the floor and the two domes overhead, I also got 5,000 whites for the trunk area.

I'll take pics when I start this.
Old 03-02-12, 01:04 PM
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Ciege
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Subscribed to see how your home link buttons work out...
Old 03-05-12, 06:09 AM
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zmanou812
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Rain delay on light mod.
The Wifey's Nissan Hybrid Altima left her stained at work with dead battery !
She left the lights on.
This thing has more batteries than all of our cars put together ! LoL
But inpite of having 650 volt half charged huge battery that powers the motor, the little 12v battery which is hidden under the seat was dead and the car wouldn't start.
I wish I could have tapped all that stored power off the hugh battery but you can't !
What you also can't do is get into the trunk when the battery is dead either( it's electric)
so I can't get to the jumper cables I stored in there in case of an emergency !
I might as well have a Kite and a Key because when an electric car goes dead you are screwed .
It has a key you can remove from the key fob to manually unlock the drivers door but it does nothing else.
I finally got it jumped and it started up until it warms up and then guess what a HYBRID does after the engine warms up.........It shuts off !! which wasn't enough time to get the battery charged so I sat there with the cables connected for a hour to let it charge the battery before I attempted to start and drive the Altima away again.
It makes me question what can you do in the Lexus if the battery goes dead or if the keyfob goes dead,
WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET HOME ??
Old 03-05-12, 08:58 AM
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InRBigness
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In the RX you can jump the car battery from under the hood. There are a set of poles that you can get to. Are you sure the Altima does not have somthing similar? You can also get to the battery in the back by going over the seat and pulling up the floor mat. I do believe that once the car is started you will be okay. The drive batteries and the car battery are totally isolated from each other and are in fact much different voltages.

Also you really do need to drive the car around to sufficiently charge the battery. Idling in the driveway really does not add a whole bunch of charge.
Old 03-06-12, 03:32 PM
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zmanou812
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Yes The RX Hybrid is a whole bunch easier if you get into trouble.
The engine battery is in under the rear seat, I found out later
There is a Positive pole under the hood to jump to or charge battery, I found out Later
The trunk is where I had jumper cables but you need power for the latch to release.
There is an emergancy trunk release in behind the rear seat through the center arm rest but mine was never tested and didn't work at the time.
The cable needed adjusting so it would pull the trunk release,
which I fixed after the power was restored.
I / she will be more prepared next time if there ever is a next time.
Just a word to the wise, Be prepared and practice a emergancy drill to see if you are prepared for a dead battery, Just having your insurance phone numbers to call for a tow would be great!
OH Well, Live and learn !
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