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Lighted Sail Panel Screws

chAVey said:
Theoretically, it could be done.  Of course then you would have separate LEDs for Brake, turn, and running lights.  You would also need 2X or 3X the amount of wire, both red and black.  (Couldn't ground back thru a common wire because of feed back, hence the diodes.)

I thought LED's would only allow electricity to pass through in one direction anyway.  All "ground" wires meet up at some point anyway, whether it's at the battery, or on some part of the chassis.
 
Troublemaker said:
I thought LED's would only allow electricity to pass through in one direction anyway.  All "ground" wires meet up at some point anyway, whether it's at the battery, or on some part of the chassis.
You're correct. LEDs are polarity sensitive. They will only allow current to flow in one direction.
 
To all who hesitate to do this MOD - Read my post #Post 141 back on Page 6 from 2/29/2004 (OVER 7 YEARS AGO):  That when I did this mod to my 02.  I just sold the truck and all the LEDS were still working as it drove away.  One of the best mods and least expensive you can do.  If you are worried about doing it just buy all the parts and bring them to your next GTG, someone will help you out. (y)  I just ordered the parts last night to do my 2007 that I bought a week ago -- Let the modding begin!

FYI: I put the diodes and resistor set-up inside a 8" long piece of clear plastic tubing.  I sealed the ends of the tubes with silicone, the tube has one wire out one end to the leds and 2 wires out the other for running light & brake/blinker.  This kept all the weather away from the bare metal on the components (that would rust/corode over time); it worked pretty good I guess... still on 7 years later.
 
Finally got mine in! Didn't want them as running lights or turn signals so I wired them up to the 3rd brake light. If they can't see me brake now, they shouldn't be driving!  LEDs in the tails are next >:D

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Damn Saoirse_Trodai, I was searching for another post and saw your Pic NICE
 
I was going to ask where did you get them but never mind now
 
dblosch said:
(hmmm... tried to post a minute ago, got a timeout error...  hopefully this doesn't double post)

I took pictures of my new cargo LED's at lunch today.  Here they are, barely noticable!   :love:


:wave:
Dan


How did you assemble your LEDs into the clips
 
red_johnny said:
Got mine done finally.  I used some ebay LEDs and some LED crome holders.  Had to use hot glue to hold them in place.  The plastic holders took awhile for each one to find the right way to have them seat but I got them.  Currently only wired to running lights and when I get the resistors I will be wireing up the turn signals and brakes.
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do you have a picture close up of your leds installed not lit up
 
Ok I need to post reply so it goes to the top. This S/B a sticky if it is blame it on the Bourbon.  :9:
 
Hi guys - new to the forum but have been doing enough reading! Thanks for the great mod and all the tips that came along with/for it. I just got my Avy in November. It's a black 09 LTZ - love the friggin thing! So I'm going to do the sail panel lights (along with a whole host of other mods mentioned in these hallow pages) and have had it in mind to add lights to the gate spoiler as well some day. I think that day is here as I had to change my t/g handle. Changing the handle involves removing the t/g spoiler so I figured now is a good time - the spoiler is a beaatchh to remove. Having it off the gate there is plenty of room behind the far edge of the spoiler to get something like this installed  http://www.oznium.com/images/11mm-Flush-Mount-LED-Bolt(Without-LENS).pdf

The harness for the actuator is going to be a good place to run my wiring down through. Seems it'll be simple enough to do. I just gotta figure if I want it to be strictly brake or have turn and brake. Either way would be easy enough to wire up from the hitch plug below.

Let ya know what I decided when it's done and I can post it up.

Keep the great ideas coming - please!
 
Installed Sail Panel LEDs at the Avalanche Pizza GTG.  Thanks to OhioBellBoy and AvyfanOhio for most of the labor and Didit for the extra T-Tab connector.  They are running/turn signal & brake light.

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And yes, I have a taillight out.  Verified it's just a bulb vs.. something we did.

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Congrats frito see you are slowly getting the bee modded.

PS the cladding looks better too >:D
 
MS03 2500 said:
Congrats frito see you are slowly getting the bee modded.

PS the cladding looks better too >:D
Thanks B.  Going for the inexpensive low hanging fruit.  It's amazing what you can do with a phone camera.  I actually haven't had a chance to do anything to the cladding since Madison.
 
This time I went with bigger LEDs
 

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What did you do drill holes for them.
 
Are there any videos out there of this type of mod?  I would love to do this, and it sounds like it is cheap and easy, but I try to read all of the posts, and I get lost at diodes, resisters. As you can tell, I am not much of an electrical guy, so debating if I should even tackle this mod.  Anyone have a shopping list of part numbers of everything I would need to complete this, from start to finish?
 
Go here...http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,138207.0.html

This thread is a little easier to understand. It's the one I used when I installed mine.
 
Here is a diagram I drew up of how I installed mine... pretty simple to do actually. All of the diode and resistor part numbers are on the diagram. Mine are running lights and also function as brake lights and turn signals. Got a lot of compliments on it! Everyone here on the forum were a huge help on this project.

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If you have any questions, you can PM me or ask anyone in these threads... very knowledgeable folks here! I was nervous about tackling this but as soon as I got started, it was a breeze. One of the easiest mods I've done! I just followed Ohiobellboy's post (#4 in this thread - http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,138207.0.html) for pics, and links to where to buy the leds, holders, etc. Painless!
 
That last diagram really helped me finish the project today. Overall, it took me about an hour to install the bulbs and run the wire. And about another 30 minutes to do the harness and splice into the tail lights. What i did for my O2 Avy is i spliced into the Blue and Brown cable for turn and brake and black for ground. I know some prefer the harness, but i was lazy and wanted to finish. I will try an post pics.

Here is a shot with my helpers and the running lights. https://gyazo.com/14fc79fc112d0d785a7c1c3512414b24

How do we post videos?

You can try my facebook link here: https://www.facebook.com/michael.c.backes/videos/10211442108749689/
 
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