DYI: How to add LEDs Lights to your safe.

[Djstorm100]

I got tired of the rope light and the push on/off lights.
Cost me about $45 with the switch that comes tomorrow. If you have any questions let me know. Figure it may help someone.



The parts I order were all from Amazon:
HitLights Cool White High Density 3528 LED Light Strip - 600
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
SUPERNIGHT AC 100-240V To DC 12V 6A 5.5x2.1mm DC
Output Jack Power Supply Converter Adapter for Led Lights Strips
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
HitLights (SMD352 LED Light Strip Connector - 6 Inch (4 Pack)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Directed Electronics 8600 Micro Magnetic Switch:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


How to video video:



Before and after

[Jer]

These LED strips are VERY useful and I've used them in many projects. I like the bed & underhood of my Tacoma w/them as well as have an under-cabinet lighting system using them & an old PC power supply as well. Trying that into a motion sensor and a smart home system is pretty sweet too.

Pro tip: You don't need those connectors to connect the sections of strips. Just cut them at the lines and then use a razor blade to cut down to just above the solder pads on the strip through the rubberized top layer and then pull towards the edge you just cut. It will pull right off of the strip exposing the solder pads which you can now solder. Probably the easiest solder job you've ever done too. Those connectors are expensive and aren't as reliable as just soldering some wire.

Also, your video editing makes it difficult to watch your videos. You fill an awful lot of time with non-useful talking and as soon as you're saying something of importance you cut yourself off with editing before you even finish the statement. That 9min video could have been done in about 3-4min with the same information being conveyed in a much more palatable format. Telling people your video is over at the 5min mark and asking for likes and subscribes when you're barely halfway through the actual video would be one example of how you could better present your subject matter.

[Ryno12]

I did something similar a couple years ago with expandable LED strip lighting. My safe doesn't have 115VAC receptacle so after I installed the lighting around the inside perimeter of the door, I mounted & wired in a door switch which ran to a 12VDC trail cam battery. The battery is stored in a sealed enclosure in the back of my safe and only needs recharging about once, maybe twice, a year. I keep a spare on a trickle charger & it's a quick 2 minute swap.

[bzdog]

Here's my DIY LED job using parts from Lowes.

WRT lighting, I bought a couple of LED lighting strip kits from my local Lowes:

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-2-Pa...Lights/4351941

They sell two different kits. The (2x) 18" kits have a transformer and switch. The (2x) 12" kits are just the strips.

These LED light strips come with little connectors to connect the segments together. Everything is marked for polarity to make it easy to keep things straight. They are encased in silicone and have a peal-n-stick back.



I got a 8xAA battery holder at Radio Shack or such and soldered things so I had two segments (one for each side of the safe) connected to the switch, then the battery pack which I fastened to the safe with heavy duty Velcro.



Total effect:



The nice thing is it is very unobtrusive and lights everything up but can be mounted so none of the lights shine in your eyes.

In reality, I categorize this as "want" rather than "need", but was an easy, fast and reasonably inexpensive (and fun) little project.

-john