Wiring a Wreath and Lights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Biodiesel300TD · #1 12-09-2011, 11:53 AM

Anyone ever put lights in a wreath on their grill for Christmas? How'd you wire the lights? Obviously an inverter is required. Is there such thing as 12v x-mas lights?

compu_85 · #2 12-09-2011, 12:26 PM

I did

I built an extension cord that pokes through the grille, and mounted a power inverter up by the brake booster. I'll take some pictures of the setup tonight if you want.

-J

Biodiesel300TD · #3 12-09-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

I did

I built an extension cord that pokes through the grille, and mounted a power inverter up by the brake booster. I'll take some pictures of the setup tonight if you want.

-J

A pic would be awesome. Where did you pull the 12v from for the inverter. I was think I might be able to tap into the headlight wiring to light up the wreath lights. Then when I turn the headlights on the wreath would light up. I'd have to put in a fuse so that if something goes awry with the wreath set up I don't fry my headlights.

vstech · #4 12-09-2011, 02:52 PM

I would DIRECT connect to the battery. the inverter should have a fuse, and you would not compromise any of the other vehicle's systems....

Biodiesel300TD · #5 12-09-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I would DIRECT connect to the battery. the inverter should have a fuse, and you would not compromise any of the other vehicle's systems....

That's a good idea. That would involve a relay and switched 12v or ignition 12v. Both of which are easy to come by without any major rewiring.

vstech · #6 12-09-2011, 03:35 PM

... or you could just open the hood, and turn on the inverter at it's switch when you want the lights on...

vstech · #7 12-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

That's a good idea. That would involve a relay and switched 12v or ignition 12v. Both of which are easy to come by without any major rewiring.

I connected an inverter to my car, inside, but I also installed a ford solenoid for alternate uses, and it's tied into the starting circuit...

ashedd · #8 12-09-2011, 03:50 PM

I have been shopping for lights for my 8 foot tall tree made of Disco records...

Menards had several batt operated light sets... and I'm really sure I have seen 12 volts lights as well. The new LED lights may even operate at a voltage close enough to 12 that you can use those.

Sure you can use an inverter too. I just don't like having 120 volts AC running around the engine and out in the rain.

barry123400 · #9 12-09-2011, 04:30 PM

You should be able to figure out how to supply them with twelve volts from your battery. Or buy specific light strings that are designed to be powered up by twelve volts out of the box.

It is only by wiring the individual bulbs in series in various ways that allow a manufaturer to select an operating voltage for use. .

Orv · #10 12-09-2011, 04:46 PM

When I first started decorating my cars, I took a string of 50 120v Christmas lights, and rewired them as ten strings of 5, for 12v use. This wasn't as hard as it sounds; the string had two wires running its whole length, for daisychaining, so I just alternately spliced the light string to one wire or the other. Then I cut off the wall plug at the end of the string and wired on a cigarette lighter plug. I ran these around the drip rail, attaching them with little steno clips, and got a lot of compliments.

However, now inverters have gotten so cheap it's not worth the effort to rewire the string. A cheap 60 watt cigarette lighter plug inverter will easily handle a string of Christmas lights.

I suggest avoiding blue or red, for legal reasons; many states have laws against blue lights on non-police vehicles, and against having red lights facing any direction but rearwards. I used a string of all white lights, but yellow would also be fully legal.

cth350 · #11 12-09-2011, 06:31 PM

There are led based light strings out there that use batteries. Re-adapting one of those is also pretty easy. -CTH

mach0415 · #12 12-09-2011, 07:26 PM

Would that be a controversial Christmas wreath? or the apparently sparkly, squeaky new PC holiday wreath?

TchTchr · #13 12-09-2011, 10:52 PM

I did a search for 12 volt Christmas lights. There are options all over the web.

compu_85 · #14 12-10-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I would DIRECT connect to the battery. the inverter should have a fuse, and you would not compromise any of the other vehicle's systems....

My inverter goes through a relay and a 2A fuse. I connected it right the battery terminals. A wire runs inside the car to a button, grounding the relay and turning on the inverter.

It's a normal wreath. They generally last through two salt seasons, lights are done after one. (and be careful touching the wreath after driving through salt!)

-J

compu_85 · #15 12-11-2011, 12:18 PM

I took some pictures of my setup. It's kind of messy, but I'm going to remove all of it once the wreath comes off so I wasn't that worried about it.

The cord runs down the hood:

I used vacuum cleaner cord so it could deal with any vibration / rubbing.

The cord plugs into a cheap inverter. The inverter originally had a cigar lighter plug on the end, I took it apart and soldered on the wire which goes over to the battery. The yellow wire goes into the cabin for the button.

The 2A fuse and relay:

And the button to run everything: