Which fuse to use for led ambient lighting

Flamingi · 05-07-2020, 06:45 AM

I have a '13 (pre-LCI) F11 and want to replace the OEM ambient lighting to RGB LED strips. I have everything working how I want it and used the 12V socket to test it. Now I want to install it permanently and I'm wondering which fuse I can use to tap into (using a connector like this with an additional 5A fuse). I want the LED strip to get power as soon as I unlock the car (i.e. before I turn on the ignition), but of course in order not to drain the battery, the power should cut when the car is locked. Anyone knows which fuse I can use in the fuse box in the glove box?

OnlyGerman · 05-07-2020, 10:25 AM

I wouldn't recommend to screw around with any electrical systems in a BMW.

Flamingi · 05-07-2020, 12:45 PM

I didn’t ask for advice wether to do it or not. I asked one specific question and have provided all necessary information (I think, feel free to ask if you need some more details), everything else doesn’t matter and I didn’t ask for any other opinions. Thank you for understanding.

igorro · 01-14-2023, 01:26 PM

What did you do in the end?

Houranimd49 · 02-07-2023, 10:01 PM

I did something similar. My car had factory ambient lighting and I didn’t like how dim they were. There was a set of LED strips with ambient lit door handles on eBay I found. I simply just hardwired them into where the factory ambient lights plug in. They work like factory.

05-07-2020, 06:45 AM	#1
Flamingi First Lieutenant 531 Rep 359 Posts Drives: M550d F11, 225xe U06 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Munich iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	Which fuse to use for led ambient lighting I have a '13 (pre-LCI) F11 and want to replace the OEM ambient lighting to RGB LED strips. I have everything working how I want it and used the 12V socket to test it. Now I want to install it permanently and I'm wondering which fuse I can use to tap into (using a connector like this with an additional 5A fuse). I want the LED strip to get power as soon as I unlock the car (i.e. before I turn on the ignition), but of course in order not to drain the battery, the power should cut when the car is locked. Anyone knows which fuse I can use in the fuse box in the glove box? Last edited by Flamingi; 05-07-2020 at 06:50 AM..
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05-07-2020, 10:25 AM	#2
OnlyGerman Major 362 Rep 1,261 Posts Drives: F15, F13, F10, E60 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Sunshine State iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't recommend to screw around with any electrical systems in a BMW.
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05-07-2020, 12:45 PM	#3
Flamingi First Lieutenant 531 Rep 359 Posts Drives: M550d F11, 225xe U06 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Munich iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	I didn’t ask for advice wether to do it or not. I asked one specific question and have provided all necessary information (I think, feel free to ask if you need some more details), everything else doesn’t matter and I didn’t ask for any other opinions. Thank you for understanding.
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01-14-2023, 01:26 PM	#4
igorro New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	What did you do in the end?
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02-07-2023, 10:01 PM	#5
Houranimd49 First Lieutenant 252 Rep 332 Posts Drives: F10 535i xDrive, F25 xDrive35i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 xDriv ... [9.25] 2011 BMW 535i xDrive [9.50]	I did something similar. My car had factory ambient lighting and I didn’t like how dim they were. There was a set of LED strips with ambient lit door handles on eBay I found. I simply just hardwired them into where the factory ambient lights plug in. They work like factory.
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