Help with install

Hey all,

Got some waterproof ribbon strips coming and want to put them in the bed of my truck.
Gonna start with 2 strips to see how much light im gonna get and I may need to order more if I need to. So I may need to link them together.
Since this is my first install of aftermarket lights, I need some install help.

What size wire should I go with.

Should I put in a block somewhere in case I want to add additional lights for something else down the road. If so should I put the block in the engine bay or the under the dash somewhere.

I want to put in a lighted switch, but have not decided yet if its gonna go in the truck on the left of the steering wheel or somewhere in the bed.

Thanks for the help

18ga wire is a good size.
block?

Yeah - a place to hook up more wires, with only the mains running to the battery.
Junction box type deal maybe might be the better term.

Will I need to fuse? If so what size fuse

ScooterHooter wrote:

Yeah - a place to hook up more wires, with only the mains running to the battery. Junction box type deal maybe might be the better term. Will I need to fuse? If so what size fuse

It depends if you're running to the battery (I assume you are based on your first sentence). If you run a wire to the battery you NEED to add an inline fuse. If you don't you risk melting your wires and starting a fire. If you run 18 awg wire, I believe you need a 5A fuse or smaller. Check this thread for fuse size per wire size.
http://www.oznium.com/forum/topic15761

If you run it from an existing circuit, you don't need a fuse as long as you're behind the factory fuse box.

16-18 gauge wire
you need to buy an inline fuse (oznium sells them) and wire it up within 12-18 inches from the + battery terminal.
I would run a 5-7.5 amp fuse

PwrRngr wrote:

ScooterHooter wrote: Yeah - a place to hook up more wires, with only the mains running to the battery. Junction box type deal maybe might be the better term. Will I need to fuse? If so what size fuse It depends if you're running to the battery (I assume you are based on your first sentence). If you run a wire to the battery you NEED to add an inline fuse. If you don't you risk melting your wires and starting a fire. If you run 18 awg wire, I believe you need a 5A fuse or smaller. Check this thread for fuse size per wire size. http://www.oznium.com/forum/topic15761 If you run it from an existing circuit, you don't need a fuse as long as you're behind the factory fuse box.

Lights came today...Crap and all the auto stores are closed already so I cant go get anything.


1. Is that they way I should do it, Hooking it up direct to the battery?
This is my first lighting project so im really at a loss as to the BEST way to go
about this.

2. I may down the road add more lighting else where. So would I want to do a junction box now?

3. Right now ive got 2ft of the the flexible ribbon LEDs, I really dont know how much light these suckers are gonna put off so I cant tell you right now if im gonna stick with the 2 ft or if im gonna order more.
My plan was just to hook them up to a jetski battery and put them in the back of my truck to see how much light they throw off. Would it be ok to use the jetski battery without a fuse for a short time to see the light output, before getting crazy with the permanent install.

4. gonna add a switch- not sure yet if I cant find a good location in the bed, if not will be putting it in the cab

5. The current is 130 per foot for these lights.

6. Whats the best way to cut these strips.

7. Do I solder the wire on from the top or can I go thru the sides of the strip

8. How do I remove the plastic over the solder points