I installed a new cockpit light in Vanessa

I lucked out crossing paths with another Radioshack on it's way out. Looking for deals, I noticed they had a 3 meter 12volt led light strip for only $15. These are the super bright leds. It was half off so I thought this was gonna be a good buy. Gosh was I right!

So last night in a huff of energy around 10pm, I set off to put the lights in. I snipped off the plastic connecter that used to hold the original dome light. I stripped the wires. I stripped the wires on the light strip too. Then I fed the wires through the metal of the van to a small circular opening.

I had purchased a three way switch so I could still use the "door" function with the light.

I connected the two ground wires from the van onto the outer poles of the switch. I connected the ground from the light strip to the center pole. Then I attached the power lines together. This way, the switch is determining which ground wire to use. The one that's always complete, or the one that only completes when the door is open.

I used electrical tape to seal all the metal and used duct tape to hold the switch in place.

I turned it on and I was OVERWHELMED with brightness. I cannot even think it's so bright. This is good

Part 2

So next, I will be covering up the light strip, exposing on the enough lights to get a good brightness in the cockpit. Then I will cut off the rest.

With this excess I am going to create a second strip of lights to use in the cabin. using some wire and solder I will space out the excess lights and try to create some bright zones for when I am working on sewing, my face, or cleaning.

Thankfully I already have another 3-way switch I can use. This one however, will be a switch to choose where the power goes. The center pole will be for the power line from the van. One outer pole will be to the RGB light strip I have, and the other to the new white LED strip I got.

I am super excited about getting better at electricity and 12 volt. Thanks Travis for helping me understand how these 3-way switches can be used in the circuits.