Map lighting idea (?)

rdvrk219 · 12-12-2006, 08:27 PM

I will admit first that I am no where near as skilled as SwissArmySuv when it comes to, well....., just about anything, especially when it comes to the overhead lighting inside the FJ.

I was looking around and saw these, and was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on them to use in lieu of SwissArmySuv doing a national install tour for us electrically/technically challenged.....

SYLVANIA DOT·it

potatomutato · 12-14-2006, 10:52 PM

just bought one today for the heck of it. they are certainly bright enough and the beam is fairly isolated so it does not light up a large portion of the cabin.

however, there are two disadvantages. as with any adhesive-backed item, they don't stick well unless it's a smooth flat surface. i stuck one onto the headliner and it seemed like it had a nice firm grip. so i figured i'd check on it tomorrow morning and see if it was still attached or if it ended up on the floorboard. about 10 minutes later as i was preparing some grub, my alarm goes off. what the? anxiously i head out to the driveway to check on the rig. nothing wrong with it. i see two people walk around the corner of our block so i follow them thinking they may have tried to break into the rig. in the shadows, it looked like some father/child combo so i just stopped in my tracks and headed back. i look around the rig - still no sign of forced entry or vandalism. i scratch my head. i then open up the rig. crap. the friggin' light triggered the radar sensor. it's now upside down on the floorboard. so much for the adhesive that "sticks anywhere."

the second disadvantage is that you need to un-stick the unit from whatever it is adhered to if you want to change the batteries. that means you probably couldn't use a stronger adhesive because it'd be a p.i.t.a. to take it off and reapply. granted the leds will last for a while with limited use, it will be an inconvenience when the day comes to change the batteries.

an alternate way to mount these things may be some kind of c clips made of thin metal like paperclips. may be able to poke two into the headliner and lodge the dot.it between them. i doubt it will be a snug enough fit though.

TIMECRUISER · 12-15-2006, 01:01 AM

Bought three in a pack at RV world for $18. They work great.

potatomutato · 12-15-2006, 02:04 AM

how and where did you mount them?

**SwissArmySuv** · 12-15-2006, 03:51 AM

[quote=rdvrk219;274421]I will admit first that I am no where near as skilled as SwissArmySuv when it comes to, well....., just about anything, especially when it comes to the overhead lighting inside the FJ.

I was looking around and saw these, and was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on them to use in lieu of SwissArmySuv doing a national install tour for us electrically/technically challenged.....

Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment.

Here is a little tidbit that might help. Early on, I wanted to mount my garage
door opener near the rearview mirror on the ceiling. I went to the local
hardware and purchased some velcro and stuck it on the ceiling only
to find it sitting on the floor or somewhere else the next day.

So, what I ended up doing is bending the little visor bracket flat, shortening
it a little and sticking it under the mirror.

I know this thread is not about garage door openers, but the thought is ..
you could easily make a little metal bracket, mount it under the mirror,
and then you would have a nice surface to mount your light onto.

jkwhite · 12-15-2006, 06:07 AM

Elegant solution. Where might one buy the Dots in a chain-type store?

NECruiser · 12-15-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

jkwhite previously said:

Elegant solution. Where might one buy the Dots in a chain-type store?

Click on the link in the begining of this thread, there's a where to buy link. Just put in your zip code.

RobbTC · 12-15-2006, 07:23 AM

Pep Boys in my area have the Dots.

rdvrk219 · 12-15-2006, 09:09 AM

[quote=SwissArmySuv;276529]

Quote:

rdvrk219 previously said:

I will admit first that I am no where near as skilled as SwissArmySuv when it comes to, well....., just about anything, especially when it comes to the overhead lighting inside the FJ.

I was looking around and saw these, and was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on them to use in lieu of SwissArmySuv doing a national install tour for us electrically/technically challenged.....

Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment.

Please do, it was ment to be one.

I have a phobia about touching wires and electronics in my cars, that are not idiot-proof, that originated when I was changing the halogens in my 85 buick somerset regal and fried the electrical system (no one knew why - even the mechanic). Once bitten, twice shy....

If you make it to the DC area; I'll buy ya lunch and a open tab if you could do your electro-wizardry on Opus (my FJ).

potatomutato · 01-27-2007, 07:36 PM

so i essentially used swissarmysuv's idea about inserting some sort of bracket to mount the light to. it works well. thanks again to swissarmy!

i ended up using sunbeam's beamit because it has a magnetic back as well. i figure the light won't end up on the floor or setting off the alarm if it's attached by way of magnet and adhesive.

i used a strip of 16 gauge sheet metal for the bracket, but will eventually upgrade it to a sturdier, longer piece to move the light out over the console more.