How to make your own backlight legs in the car

The article introduces in detail how the backlight of the legs in the car is mounted and connected. Various connection options are given with step-by-step instructions for work, and in the end, a recommended connection scheme is proposed.

Types of inclusion

There are two options:

1. Auto light turns on when doors are opened. The tuning system is already installed at the bottom of the door, and when opened, directs light to the foot area. As a rule, this is the default backlighting method installed at the car factory. The practicality of this option is extremely small.
   The lighting works when the door is open.
2. Illumination without doors. A lighting system is specially mounted, which gives a directed flow to the pedal area. It may look more spectacular than the first option, and the superiority in terms of utility is undeniable. Additional light in the cabin at night is not superfluous, and such tuning will always help novice drivers not to get confused in the pedals.
   Automatic leg lighting is not only an element of decor, but also a practical benefit.

Choosing lighting equipment

To illuminate the legs in the car interior with their own hands, one of two types of lighting equipment is used:

1. Light-emitting diode (LED) tape. More common type. Inexpensive, easy to install, available in a wide range.
2. neon cord. Potentially, such light looks more beautiful, spectacular and more natural than LEDs. But this is where the advantages end, and among the disadvantages are the higher cost and the inability to install without an ignition unit. That is, intervention in the electrical system of the car will be required.

LED lighting options.

Areas of placement and direction of the light flux

Along with the choice of lighting equipment for tuning, it is worth deciding how exactly it will be located in the cabin. Here are the possible options:

• only in the driver's area;
• at the feet of the driver and passenger;
• near the feet of all people sitting in the car, including those in the back row.

The length of the LED strip or neon cord that you will need to buy directly depends on the chosen method.

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In order for the lighting strip to perform direct functions, and not blind, it must be correctly placed and hidden unused areas. Three zones are used for this:

• along the perimeter at the bottom of the front driver's or passenger seat;
• below the dashboard;
• under the glovebox.

Basically, it depends on personal wishes and design nuances of the machine.

The main thing to consider is that the backlight should “look” strictly at the floor, and not up.Many mistakenly mount the lighting directly on the floor, and over time, the light begins to interfere, blind the eyes. This type of tuning was created to highlight a strictly defined area.

Choose a connection method

Drivers use one of three main methods for connecting footlights:

• to the general lighting system of the car;
• through the cigarette lighter;
• to the headlights.

Now - in more detail about each method.

To lighting

With this installation option, the tuning of the leg area will turn on every time you open the doors, as well as when the interior lighting is turned on. The installation itself takes place according to the following algorithm:

1. Remove light cover. It can be screwed with fasteners, fastened with latches. To remove the ceiling, sometimes you need auxiliary devices.
2. Connect the wires of the LED or neon tape to the corresponding contacts of the ceiling. As a rule, red wires are "negative" and white wires are "positive". But it's better to check each contact with a multimeter or tester anyway.
3. The wiring is hidden under the upholstery. It will be most reliable to stretch the harnesses along the side rack.
4. The next step is to connect the contacts of the luminous tapes in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe legs of the driver and / or passengers.
5. Connect the connected fragments to the interior lighting source.
6. Check the entire system for functionality. Only then can all connections be isolated.
7. Put the plafond in place.

Connection to the ceiling.

An option to improve this method is to install an additional controller. Due to it, the backlight will not go out at one moment, but slowly go out.

To the cigarette lighter

Another widely used connection method is from a car cigarette lighter. Here the light will turn on when the doors are opened. It - a convenient option for drivers who do not need backlighting while driving. It is activated only when getting on and off the car.

Connection order:

1. The "positive" contact of the LED or neon strip is connected to the cigarette lighter.
2. "Minus" is connected to the door limit switch.
3. The wires of the luminous tape are displayed in one bundle with the rest of the bundles that go to the door.
4. All joints are securely isolated, if necessary, fixed with a screed.

The nuances of outputting and laying cables depend on the specific car model.

Scheme of power supply through the cigarette lighter.

To dimensions

Unlike the previous two methods, this one involves the work of highlighting the legs along with parking lights. Such tuning will help during a trip at night. If the backlight does not need constant operation, the system should be equipped with an additional switch. The principle of connection is simple. The positive output of the LED strip is powered by any of the backlight bulbs - for example, in the glove compartment or on the instrument panel. The minus is given to the body or, alternatively, to the door limit switch.

When connected to a limit switch, the light will turn on only when the door is open and the dimensions are lit.

Scheme of connection to the door limit switch.

Video: Installing RGB backlight for 250r on Lada Kalina.

Tool preparation

To perform a standard, without additional elements, installation and connection of the illumination of the foot area in the car, you need a number of available tools:

• light source - ICE or neon strip;
• long wires, preferably at least 5 m;
• heat-shrink tubing;
• strong glue, “Moment” will do;
• pliers;
• soldering iron for 220 V;
• screwdriver for fasteners of the lighting cover;
• sharp utility knife.

This is the minimum set of tools. To make additional options for highlighting the legs in the car, you will need:

• switch;
• brightness controller;
• Remote Control.

Backlight setting

First, you need to install the tape in the selected areas of the cabin, as follows:

1. Mark the boundaries of the sections along which the tape will pass.
2. Cut LED strip into pieces of the required length. You can only make cuts along special lines between the pads. It won't be hard to find them.
3. To the edges of each fragment you need solder the wire.
4. After that, the tape is tested by connecting to a power source.
5. If the light comes on in the strip, then everything is fine, and you can continue.
6. All soldering points of tape fragments and wires are insulated with a heat shrink tube. It is recommended to preheat it. A short exposure to a soldering iron or lighter fire is enough.
7. After isolation, the luminous tape is mounted at the designated points in the leg area. For commits strips use glue most often. Other options are strong double-sided tape or silicone ties.
8. If you need to highlight areas near the front passenger seat or rear row, the entire process of mounting the tape is repeated.

One of the stages of tape installation.

Recommended installation scheme

As a conclusion. If we discard the tastes and wishes of the car owner, the preferred lighting option would be LED Strip Light. LED is cheaper and easier to install. As for the connection method, the activation of the lighting system and the cigarette lighter provides for the activation of the footwell illumination only when the doors are opened. But the connection to the side lights will ensure the work of tuning throughout the trip in the dark.In addition, the wiring diagram itself is simpler. The recommended option for lighting for legs in a car is an LED strip connected to the dimensions.