Wiring auto tail lights for man cave?

[bigblk66_coronet]

Hey guys i have some extra tail lights from one of the 3 66 coronets that i have parted out over the years( Ive owned one for 20 years) Anyway i thought it would be a cool idea to maybe recess the the tail lights and tail ight housings into the wall and wire them up so they would come on. I have no clue where to even start on this. can you guys give me any ideas how to go about this,what i would need or how to wire this. anyone?..Thanks joe

 

[matt151617]

You would need a transformer. The tail lights run off of 12 volt DC, the current in your house is 120 volt AC. Should be pretty easy, just search for a 12 volt DC transformer.

 

[aandpdan]

You can run the lights off of 12 volt AC just as well. It won't matter to the bulbs.

How many bulbs are there in each lamp? You'll need to get a transformer that can handle the current for the bulbs you want to use.

 

[Ray-CA]

I just used a transformer for a set of Malibu outdoor lights.

Ray

 

[Steevo]

I just used a transformer for a set of Malibu outdoor lights.

Ray

This ^^
The 12v bulbs will operate just fine on 12v AC, and the power transformers are available anywhere.

 

[machine_punk]

You can either convert the voltage down to 12 volts, or switch the lamps and sockets to 120 volts (either conventional incandescent lights or go to a big box store and look for LED light kits with enough lights to fit whatever you are trying to do).

Either way would work. I would think the LED light kits would be more foolproof, but probably a bit more expensive.

M_P

 

[bigblk66_coronet]

I havent had a chance to look for a converter yet but is it something that would need to be wired to a switch or does it just plug into an outlet? Or can it be done either way? Thanks for the help this site is awsome!

 

[Lotek]

I havent had a chance to look for a converter yet but is it something that would need to be wired to a switch or does it just plug into an outlet? Or can it be done either way? Thanks for the help this site is awsome!

12v power supply for a radio. This ought to do it. Comes in handy for other stuff too.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Most of the outdoor light transformers I have seen are 12 volt and have a timer in them to control on/off of lights. Either use the timer or put the whole thing on a wall switch for an outlet.

 

[kbs2244]

My only concern would be heat build up.
Be sure to provide some clearance and air movment room.

 

[bigblk66_coronet]

Its not something that would be on all the time. Just something i would turn on once in awhile for kicks. just looking to do something cool to spice up the man cave.......lol......i looked at menards today and they didnt have one. all they had was a converter to go from 12v too 110. not the other way around. I figure maybe radio Shack?.Joe

 

[softailgarage]

This might be easiest, just wire up a male from the tail lights...
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4218516

 

[VHF]

If you keep the stock bulbs, and are just lighting the taillights (not the brake lights), figure 7W each, so 14W for two. 14W/12V = 1.2A. 12V AC or DC is fine. As already mentioned a transformer designed for low-voltage yard lighting should work fine (and should be available at Menards--altough note that the UL listing for some of these is for outdoor use only.)

The taillights probably use standard dual-filiment 1157 bulbs, so you could install LED replacement bulbs, which would eliminate any issues with heat build up and also reduce the power draw significantly, meaning you could power the whole thing off a very small 12V wall-wart power supply. LED builbs would require 12V DC.

 

[Lotek]

Wire it up with a sensor in the fridge that turns the brakelights on when someone takes the last beer

 

[eljefino]

If you have an old PC power supply they can spit out gobs of 12 volts and cleanly regulated too.

Take the "green wire" in the ATX bundle and ground it to one of the many black wires. Yellow and black will be your 12 volt supplies.

Best part is since it's not 13.8 volts like a running car your bulbs will last nearly forever.

 

[Sureshot]

I once used a power supply for those low voltage walkway lights. It had a photo eye on it as well. I just cut the insulation back and wrapped the wires in and taped. I had them run for night lighting in the barn so you didn't go from pitch black to blind with the normal lights. The few I ran gave enough light to get around with your eyes adjusted.

Check out garage sales. You could also check any old printer power supplies or cell phone chargers.

 

[KPSquared]

Superbrightleds.com has really affordable 12 volt power supplies.

 

[spongerich]

Malibu light transformers and PC power supplies can both be found for next to nothing. Buy an old computer from a yard sale and you're set.

 

[Ray-CA]

Here is what mine looks like:

 

[Ford52PU]

got any old 110V christmas candles lying around? The kind you put on your window sill, seems to me you could use those sockets, bulbs etc, they are pretty low wattage bulbs, saves looking for transformers etc. Just a thought.