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Adding Puddle Light Projector
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sub780lime
User
May 13, 2013, 8:01 PM
Post #1 of 26
(4096 views)
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Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Hi everyone.
2013 Mini Clubman
I bought some puddle light projectors for my car. I went to wire them from the existing puddle lights - just unplug and wire positive to positive, negative to negative on the projector. The projector wiring became very hot so I disconnected it. The puddle projector has what appears to be a capacitor or relay unit near the light. I don't have the expertise to really know. I opened it up and low and behold it has a burn spot and one poor contact (pictured below, burn can't be seen from this angle) on the open wire side. I test the puddle light wiring that I was using from the car and it is what I expected, 12V (12.43 or so). Everything in my limited experience tells me this should work just fine, but before I attempt to connect the other light, can anyone tell me if I am doing something horrible run that would have caused the capacitor/relay/whatever-it-is to burn out?
Thanks in advance!
(This post was edited by sub780lime on May 13, 2013, 8:03 PM)
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HT
User
May 14, 2013, 3:25 AM
Post #2 of 26
(4058 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I don't know exactly what these things are but you are attempting to wire them in series and you cannot do that. They have to be wired in parallel. That means a power supply to each light and a ground for each light. You can use one power supply source provided it is capable of handling the total power supply required by the total of all loads. You need to know how much current each one of these consumes.
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sub780lime
User
May 14, 2013, 8:13 AM
Post #3 of 26
(4047 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I don't know exactly what these things are but you are attempting to wire them in series and you cannot do that. They have to be wired in parallel. That means a power supply to each light and a ground for each light. You can use one power supply source provided it is capable of handling the total power supply required by the total of all loads. You need to know how much current each one of these consumes.
Thanks for the quick reply. These are similar puddle lights: http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-light-Projector-Shadow-Light/dp/B009SI2ZEO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_4
When you are referring to me wiring them in series, are you referring to the board that was along the lights wiring?
Here is the existing puddle light (right under the door when open:
So, Simply put, I disconnected the plug from the existing light, It is just two wires, a brown/yellow wire (power) and a brown wire (ground). All I did was connect me new light red to brown/yellow and black to brown from the wiring that ran to the existing puddle light. In my inexperienced head, I essentially just replaced one light with another similar light, so that is why I was confused at frying the little board (still don't know what that board is).
(This post was edited by sub780lime on May 14, 2013, 8:14 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 9:31 AM
Post #5 of 26
(4033 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Just thoughts on this: Any info come with these? What wires got hot - the car's or the new lights? I don't see the burn in first pic. I don't know but suspect that "thing" is changing voltage for these new lights and since it's just a power and ground thing that was already there the new ones are probably defective or somehow draw so much current (wire gauge doesn't suggest that) they can't work without a real project or something.
Will the original shown still work with the wiring indicating the power/ground is still intact?
Never heard of these things at all apparently pointing down from door panel. Why? Is this worth it? Your car, your project and money but seems a bit silly to me to fuss with a 2013 vehicle over something like this,
T
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sub780lime
User
May 14, 2013, 10:39 AM
Post #7 of 26
(4021 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I wired the plug back up for the original light and it works just fine. It was the projectors wires that got extremely hot. The instructions with the item were very limited, essentially chalking up to connect red to power and black to ground.
The burn is not visible in the pic, I will try and take one of it. I spoke to the seller and they indicated the unit on the wire that has the board is an auto-off for the light so they don't stay on for more than an hour. The existing puddle lights already do that.
Any way I can test the voltage the projector is intended to receive?
This should be a pretty simple mod, not ripping the engine apart or tearing the interior all out.
I do appreciate the help, thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 12:50 PM
Post #9 of 26
(4009 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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sub780lime : I don't know this car at all nor ever noticed any with lights where that one is. Yes, some do have lights that do light the surface a bit you are parked on and not sure that was the intent in full anyway. I enjoy cool harmless things too but this is making wires HOT as you said so something isn't right from the get go. Glad you could still plug in original light and it works. I was hoping you didn't just chop into wires as doors do hold moisture so splicing something in should be done as it was exterior.
As HT is asking the amps these new lights take may not be right for this vehicle - too much. You couldn't use those two power and ground wires to jump start another car for example.
I suggest finding out just what they draw and test these out off car on some other source of power FIRST. You have two - correct? Try the other off car and see if wires get hot. If somehow that is expected I'll suggest not doing this at all. Any and all powered items go thru the door jam if to the door itself and could be a real mess if it was hot all the way on other things too. I'm actually surprised this already didn't blow a fuse with that much heat!
As you can see I'm worried about this being a a problem that could be avoided now,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 2:44 PM
Post #11 of 26
(3994 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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What to use to test with for 12V things. I use several. One a good but older car battery, another is sealed gel cell battery meant for things like electric scooters of assorted types. A jumper box is about the same and most come with a power port.
Assorted jumper wires all over the place.
Depending on what you can use household 9V batteries and do for silly motors and things at a pick your own junk yard for things I can't find new or parts for. Those can also be put in series just clicking them together and you get about the 18V it should and a touch more power. Not for electronic boxes, mostly little motors or actuators. Here it's a walk to get out to the wrecks so the lighter the better. Saves having to go back for another used something if that's your only choice and for me it frequently is/was for old car restoration parts and so forth. I don't suggest bringing wet, lead acid batteries into a home but the sealed gel cells are safe indoors all depends on where you might be working and the situation,
T
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sub780lime
User
May 14, 2013, 3:03 PM
Post #12 of 26
(3988 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Would passing too little power through the light hurt it, like using 4AAA in series?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 4:00 PM
Post #13 of 26
(3982 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I believe all AAA takes 4 in series to make 12V. All I know are 1.5V. Some will say what milliamps they are worth each is worth. Probably not strong enough but untested by me with those as too hard to hook them all together.
Camping lamp batteries - 6V big things would be easier. In series means you hook a pos and neg together and the open terminals you'll real 12V - DC.
They look like this............
You can "hack" those as they are full of AA batteries if you cut them open - AYOR,
T
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HT
User
May 14, 2013, 4:14 PM
Post #14 of 26
(3976 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I don't believe those batteries could deliver anywhere near the current required for those lights. You can measure the current draw with an ammeter pretty easily.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 4:52 PM
Post #15 of 26
(3972 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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No telling what real power the "household" batteries really have. I can make an ordinary bulb light with the 9V ones, not as bright of course.
Actually I'm amused that we are getting so involved in flipping "Puddle Lights!"
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 14, 2013, 6:18 PM
Post #16 of 26
(3958 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Puddle lights? Is that so you don't step in a puddle when getting out of the car at night?
If I am not mistaken that board looks like a rectifier of sorts. It has two ss14 retifier diodes, 470 uF choke, and a capacitor. Why would you need to rectify DC?
What exactly is that your using? What is the name of the puddle lamp company you bought that from?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on May 14, 2013, 6:58 PM)
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sub780lime
User
May 15, 2013, 9:41 AM
Post #17 of 26
(3938 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Well, I am quite grateful we are taking the time as I felt this should have been so simple. The seller indicated the board was an auto-off for the light.
Here is the light I purchased: (Sorry, can't allow links)
I looked at the bulb on the original puddle light from the car, but the information listed is not discernible to me:
0512Vn
2GL
W5W2R1
I looked at the LED bulb from the projector, but I can't tell anything from it.
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 15, 2013, 11:45 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2013, 10:06 AM
Post #18 of 26
(3936 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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This is nuts. Doesn't the original go off when you close the door even if delayed? I guess you'd have to rig up a test light to see if it loses power to the plug with door closed you wouldn't really know would you or could you see it at all?
LED lights take very little power so something with that box or socket for LED bulb must be all wrong to heat up wires,
T
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HT
User
May 15, 2013, 11:40 AM
Post #19 of 26
(3928 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Sub780lime ............. Do not post links
see` FORUM RULES
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2013, 11:54 AM
Post #20 of 26
(3920 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Sub780lime: Took the link out. Just post the picture or instructions not a parts outlet please as HT just said "not allowed." HT is a moderator here just site glitches at the moment.
Again - this thing shouldn't have made wires hot IMO and that thingy for lack of a better word is probably the problem with LED light bulb being used,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2013, 3:53 PM
Post #22 of 26
(3906 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I think you got a dud. Is there a warranty on it?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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sub780lime
User
May 15, 2013, 4:38 PM
Post #23 of 26
(3903 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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I am going to give the other one a try tonight and hope for I don't get the same result. I do have the change to return them if they are bad...I will let you know what happens.
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sub780lime
User
May 15, 2013, 7:09 PM
Post #24 of 26
(3894 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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Well, out of fear I had not attempted to hook up the other one. I just tried it and it works. Looks like the one unit I had was defective. You guys have been great and very helpful. I very much appreciate it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2013, 3:49 AM
Post #25 of 26
(3883 views)
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Re: Adding Puddle Light Projector
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OK - seems this is solved as defective part. Save the originals. I'll lock this thread to prevent it from getting spammed but can be re-opened by any moderator upon request. Problem found,
T
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