LED lighting a safe

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Been meaning to get around to this project for a while, turned out FANTASTICALLY, cannot believe how well this works for the price. I didn't want wires running into the safe for fire reasons, hence using a cheap 12volt battery. It will probably only need a recharge every year or more.

I saw pictures of other peoples projects, what you want is the 12 volt "non-waterproof" led rope / tape. I got the 5 meters as I figured it would do 2 sides and along the top, it was more than plenty.

Cut each segment to length and put on the connectors THEN TEST IT to see it lights up right. You can cut it every 3 LEDS where it is marked. Connectors snap on super easy. I put connectors on both ends of the top piece, and a connector on each end of the side pieces. That way I could stick it in place and just wire the corners easy.

Once it all looks GTG, peel off the backing and apply around the door on the inside of the safe, around the edge. You want the LEDs facing into the safe, none of them should be visible from the outside. Once the 3 segments are stuck on, tie the wires from all the legs together in the corners, along with hot/cold wiring to where ever you want your battery to sit (I just got doorbell wire from home depot). Tie in the switch to the circuit and stick the switch wherever you want. I velcro'd it right on the center upright.

Its amazing how much light you get in there. You should have enough left over LED tape to add it under any shelves that may need a little more light (I stuck a 2ft piece running diagonally over the long guns, to get light down into the far back).

Stick on 12 volt LED tape: $7.50

www.ebay.com/itm/17220...EBIDX%3AIT

12 volt 4.5AH rechargable battery (I have several of these, use them to power equiptment when ice fishing): $12.80

www.ebay.com/itm/30189...EBIDX%3AIT

Additional Connecters, tape to red/white wire (you want the 3528 size to go with the above 8mm led tape): $3.64

www.ebay.com/itm/15150...EBIDX%3AIT

Rocker switch from Autozone: $4

www.autozone.com/elect...ckfit=true

Total was under $30. Liberty charges $150 for their AC powered kit (which means you then need to run power into your safe). I'll stick with the $30 solution!

-DallanC

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

This is not my safe, just one off the internet that shows what the final look is:

-DallanC

dhc4ever · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: LED lighting a safe

Oh great.
Now I've got gun safe envy.......

Nice work Dallan, now you need to build in a bar fridge.........

Elvis · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:18 pm Post subject: Re: LED lighting a safe

very nice idea.

Vince · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:28 am Post subject: Re: LED lighting a safe

dhc4ever wrote:

Oh great.
Now I've got gun safe envy.......

Nice work Dallan, now you need to build in a bar fridge.........

Me too Pete.

Dallan Tha Man wrote:

Been meaning to get around to this project for a while, turned out FANTASTICALLY, cannot believe how well this works for the price. I didn't want wires running into the safe for fire reasons, hence using a cheap 12volt battery. It will probably only need a recharge every year or more.

I saw pictures of other peoples projects, what you want is the 12 volt "non-waterproof" led rope / tape. I got the 5 meters as I figured it would do 2 sides and along the top, it was more than plenty...

That is a brilliant job Dallan. I was thinking a couple of small battery powered tent lights would be adequate, but they would be nowhere near as efficient as what you have built mate.

Now I gotta get a better quality bigger safe and do the same. Razz