Many car enthusiasts want to enhance their vehicles’ appearance and functionality through automotive lighting modifications. COB LED light strips, with their high brightness and spot-free design, are a great choice for automotive lighting. This article will detail how to install COB LED strip into automotive lighting while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
Why are COB LED Strip Suitable for Automotive Lighting?
COB LED strips offer several advantages over traditional SMD LEDs, primarily providing uniform light, making them ideal for automotive lighting:
High Brightness & Uniform Lighting: COB technology packages multiple LED chips directly onto a substrate, reducing spot light. It also provides a softer, more uniform light, making it suitable for both interior ambient lighting and exterior lighting.
Improved heat dissipation: COB light strips feature LED chips soldered directly onto an aluminum substrate, dissipating heat faster, extending the lifespan of the strip and reducing degradation caused by high temperatures.
Compact & Flexible Design: COB light strips are small and easy to conceal for installation, suitable for confined spaces such as door trims, dashboards, and center consoles.
Low Voltage: Typically powered by 12V, they are compatible with car batteries, consume little power, and don’t overload the vehicle’s electrical circuits.
How to Choose the Right COB LED Strips Light for Automotive Lighting Use?
Before choosing the right COB LED strip for your car, we need to consider the following details:
Voltage Compatibility
Automotive lighting typically runs on 12V. If this is a 12V source, you must also choose a 12V COB LED strip light. Remember, incorrect voltage can damage electrical appliances.
Wattage Selection
The power of LED light strips must also be chosen appropriately. Too low a power may not achieve the desired lighting effect, while too high a power may generate excessive heat. Generally speaking, COB LED light strips with a power of 10-15W per meter are more suitable for automotive applications.
Waterproof Rating
IP20 non-waterproofing is acceptable for interior use, to choose IP67 for chassis lights and exterior decoration.
Color Temperature
Different areas inside and outside the vehicle require different color temperatures. For interior ambient lighting, you can choose from the following color temperatures: 3000K warm white, 4000K neutral white, and RGB color-changing strips. For daytime running lights, 6000K cool white is essential.
Size and Flexibility
The width and thickness of the LED strip must be appropriately selected based on the dimensions of the vehicle’s installation location.
How Do I Install a COB LED Strip in My Car?
After selecting the appropriate COB LED strips light for your automotive lighting, you’ll need some installation tools for proper installation.
Tools
- COB LED strip (with adhesive backing or snap-on mounting)
- 12V power supply
- Wire strippers, heat shrink tubing, electrical tape
- Multimeter (for voltage testing)
Installation Process
- Determine the mounting location in the vehicle: Common locations include the dashboard, footwell, door trim, trunk, or undercarriage.
- Clean the surface: Wipe the adhesive area with alcohol or detergent to ensure adhesion.
- Direct wiring: Using a fuse disconnect is recommended.
- Independent switch control: Install a switch to turn the light strip off at any time.
- Securing the light strip: 3M adhesive is provided on the back of the light strip. If reinforcement is required, hot melt adhesive, clips, or aluminum profiles can be used.
Where are COB LED Strips Light Primarily Used in Automotive Lighting?
Interior ambient lighting is one of the most common applications. You can install COB strip under the instrument panel, under the seats, on door panel trim, around the center console, and other locations to create a warm and comfortable interior environment. By adjusting the brightness and color, you can create different ambiance effects that suit various driving scenarios and personal preferences.
- You can install COB LED strips around the edges of the grille, around door handles, and below rearview mirrors to enhance the vehicle’s visual appeal.
- COB LED strips can be used as footwells for easier entry and exit at night, and can also be installed in the trunk to provide ample illumination.
- The linear light source properties of COB LEDs enable the creation of unique daytime running lights, enhancing vehicle recognition and safety.
What Problems Will Occur When Using COB LED Strips in Car?
We have compiled some common issues that may arise when installing COB LED strip in automotive interior lighting for reference. If you have encountered similar problems, you can check them individually.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Part of the LED strip is not lighting up. | Poor welding or soldering failure at the cut end | Check the solder joints and re-secure the wires. |
| LED strip has fallen off. | The surface being attached is unclean or overheated. | Clean the surface and use high-viscosity adhesive or other physical fixation. |
| LED strip flickering | Voltage instability or drive failure | Add a voltage regulator or replace the power supply |
| Water in the LED strip | Waterproof level is not enough or the package is damaged | Replace the LED strip with a high IP rating and strengthen the sealing |
| LED strip color difference | Color temperature differences between different batches | It is recommended to purchase the required length at one time |
Are COB LED Strips Legal for Use in Cars?
The color and color temperature of COB LED strips must strictly comply with local traffic regulations and vehicle technical standards. The basic principles are similar: they must not affect driving safety, interfere with other road users, or mimic emergency vehicle signals.
Regulations regarding interior lighting are relatively relaxed, and most regions allow the installation of decorative lighting. However, these lighting must not obstruct the driver’s vision or create glare while driving.
Regulations regarding interior lighting are relatively relaxed, and most regions allow the installation of decorative lighting. However, these lighting must not obstruct the driver’s vision or create glare while driving.
- Daytime running lights or auxiliary lighting, including brightness range, color temperature requirements, and installation location. In some regions, retrofitting functional lighting equipment requires vehicle inspection or certification.
- Before installing COB LED light strips, you need to understand the specific local regulations. Also, choose an installation solution that allows for flexible on/off control so that the lights can be quickly turned off when needed to avoid legal risks.
Conclusion
COB LED strips light offers high brightness, spot-free light, and reliable heat dissipation for automotive lighting retrofits. They are ideal for interior ambient lighting and exterior decoration. Safe installation and compliant use require careful attention to circuit load, waterproofing and heat dissipation, and local regulations. With appropriate selection and proper installation, COB LED strips can enhance the visual appeal and practicality of your vehicle.
If you’re looking for reliable, durable, and high-performance COB LED strip solutions, please contact us. We are a professional COB light strip manufacturer.