Adding lighting to your license plate frame, or a light strip to your ride is a simple process. Do it yourself and see some impressive results.
Installing a lighted license plate frame or lighting strip is so simple, you cannot justify paying to have it done for you. Just follow the directions in the package to assemble the frame and then follow these instructions:
1. Locate the spot where you want to mount your frame. You must take into account any possible obstructions to view, such as other lights nearby which might dilute the visibility of your message or decorative lighting. You must also take a look at the material you will be drilling mounting holes into. Many times a bumper or splash panel will come already drilled for a standard sized license plate frame. If at all possible, you should plan to use the provided mounting. Take into considertation your need to run two wires through the splash panel into the trunk or under the hood. You may have to drill a small hole to accomplish this. If so, be sure you have a small rubber grommet to place in that hole to prevent the metal from cutting your wiring. These are easily bought at the local auto parts store. You will also need an inline splice connector for the size of wires you are working with, and two butt connectors of the appropriate size. All of these are sold by the auto parts store in packets of one or two.
2. Most of the newer LED strips and license frames entail the use of a transformer which regulates the flow of current to your new device. Since these transformers require connection to the existing brake or tail light wiring, you should open the hood or trunk, and locate the spot where this piece can be mounted and will have short access to the car wiring. Again take care to watch what is on the other side of the spot you are drilling. You don't want a hole in the outer fender of your new paint job, for instance.
3. After mounting the transformer, use a circuit tester to identify the "hot" wire to your tail lights or license plate light. If you prefer, you can use the brake light wire instead. If you choose this option, your license plate light or light strip will only activate when you depress your brake pedal. If you choose to use the tail light or license plate wiring, the frame will stay lighted at all times that your headlights are on. This is purely a personal preference choice. To locate the correct hot wire, you should ground the clip on the circuit tester to a spot on the frame such as a bolt, or the frame of the trunk. Make sure that your ground is solid. Use the pointed end of the tester to pierce a wire that you believe is the power, or hot wire, usually a red wire. Have someone turn on the headlights. If your tester lights up, you have found your wire. If you choose to use the brake circuit, then have your friend press the brake pedal, and if your tester lights only when the brake is pressed, you are using the right wire.
4. Now disconnect the battery. This is essential. You may short out wires during your installation, and can either be shocked, or can cause bulbs to burn out, or other problems. Disconnecting the battery is a safety measure you should always take the time to utilize.
5. Using wiring splice connectors, clamp around the identified wire, and add to the connector the red wire from your transformer. Crimp this connector tightly, but be careful not to split it by clamping down too hard. The teeth inside the connector will pierce the wiring insulation and create a connection between the hot wire and the transformer.
6. Now locate the black wire on the transformer. You will have to locate a good ground for this black wire. It should connect to a bolt on the frame, or to the frame itself.
7. There will likely be two other wires from the transformer to the license plate frame or lighting strip. Take a few minutes to route the wires so that they aren't in the way, and won't be caught on other cargo or subject to contact with hot items under the hood, if you are working in the front of your vehicle. If needed, strip about 1/4" of insulation from the ends of the wires. Using the appropriate size of wiring connector, crimp the transformer red and the license plate red wires into the same connector. Then do the same for the black wire. Wrap both connectors in electrical tape.
8. You may wish to wrap the entire length of the wires in tape, and use a small routing clamp to guide and hold the wires against the side of the compartment. These are readily available on the wiring connector rack of your local auto parts store.
9. You should be ready to test your work. Reattach the battery connection.
10. Keep a close eye for shorts, or flickering. If you have not gained a good connection at some point, there will be immediate evidence of that in the form of lights that flicker, or connections that sizzle. If you detect a problem, disconnect the battery immediately and improve the connection before reconnecting the battery. When you have assured that the connections are tight, you can proceed.
11. Turn on the headlights, or step on the brake pedal to test your new device. You should see the new lights work immediately.
This entire process should take less than a half hour, and will save you at least a $20 installation bill. It should be noted that if you go around telling your friends that you installed this on your own, they will be bringing theirs to you for your help. Before you make that announcement, you should probably decide what you will charge them for your help. An appropriate fee such as a six pack of your favorite beverage, or a burger would be sufficient. When you see how simple these installations are, you will be adding all sorts of great lighting to your ride.
Have fun!
