LED Strip car light

The DIY Guide to LED Strips in Cars & Vehicles

Thinking about upgrading your ride with LED strip lights? Whether it’s your daily driver, a campervan, stretch limo, or full-blown party bus—LED lighting is one of the coolest ways to transform the vibe inside (and out) of your vehicle. But getting it right takes more than just peel-and-stick lights.

At Artistic Lighting, we specialise in custom lighting setups for cars, motorhomes, limousines, and commercial party buses. In this guide, we’ll break down the dos, don’ts, expert tips, and safety must-knows—in plain English—so your LED install looks amazing and lasts for years.

🚙 Why LED Strip Lights Are Perfect for Vehicles

LED strips are flexible, energy-efficient, and easy to customize. They're perfect for creating ambient lighting in a car interior, setting the party mood in a bus, or adding visual flair to RV compartments or steps.

Whether you're planning subtle interior mood lighting or a full underglow light show, LED strips are one of the most cost-effective upgrades. But not all LEDs—and definitely not all wiring—are made equal.

✅ The Right Way to Install LED Strip Lights in Your Vehicle

1. Use Vehicle-Grade LED Strips

Automotive environments are rough. Vibration, heat, moisture, and voltage spikes are all real issues. That’s why you should only use 12V waterproof, automotive-rated LED strips. These are designed to handle the conditions inside cars, vans, limousines, and RVs.
👉 See our top-rated 12V LED kits

2. Always Include a Fuse

We’ll say it again: always fuse your power lead—close to the source. A fuse protects both your wiring and your vehicle’s electrical system from overload or short circuits.

  • For simple LED strips: use an inline fuse.

  • For larger installs (like in motorhomes or party buses): consider a fused distribution block.

3. Use the Right Wire Size

Longer wire runs = more resistance = potential voltage drop and overheating. Sizing your wire correctly helps maintain brightness and reduces risk.

Metric Wire Sizing Guide:

Total Amps Wire Run (metres) Wire Size (mm²)
Up to 5A 1.5–2m 1.0 mm²
5–10A 2–3m 1.5 mm²
10–15A 3–5m+ 2.5 mm²

4. Understand Your Vehicle’s True Voltage

Here’s a little-known fact: your vehicle doesn’t run at 12V. When the engine is on, it’s closer to 13.8V. That extra voltage might seem harmless, but over time it creates heat, shortens the life of your LEDs, and can cause early failures.

In our custom party bus and limo builds, we use DC-to-DC converters or regulated inverters to provide consistent, clean power. This not only protects your lights but keeps them running at full brightness without flicker.

5. Calculate Your Power Draw & Fuse Size

How to Check LED Amperage:

  1. Find the spec: Most LED strips list amps per metre (A/m)

  2. Multiply by length: e.g., 5m x 0.4A/m = 2A

  3. Add 25% margin: 2A × 1.25 = 2.5A draw

Choose a Fuse:

  • Use a fuse rated just above your actual draw

  • For a 2.5A draw → use a 3A fuse

  • Never oversize “just in case”—you’re removing safety

6. Tips Most DIYers Miss

  • Grounding matters: Poor grounds = flicker, failure, or dim strips

  • Metal helps cool your LEDs: Mount strips to metal where possible

  • Multimeters are your friend: Test voltage and amp draw before final wiring

  • Use a switch or relay: Keeps power under control, especially for large installs

  • IR remotes? Place the receiver somewhere visible but cleanly hidden

❌ What to Avoid

  • Wiring directly to battery without fuse

  • Using indoor or household LED strips

  • Ignoring voltage readings—especially while engine is on

  • Overloading a circuit with multiple strips

  • Running thin wires across long distances

🚐 Lighting Ideas for Every Vehicle

Whether you’re lighting the bar area in a stretch limo, outlining cabinets in a campervan, or building a party bus that glows inside and out—we’ve got pro-tested gear that performs:

✅ How to Measure Power Draw

  • LED Specs: Look for amps per metre (A/m)

  • Multiply by LED length in metres

  • Add 25% safety buffer

Example
5m x 0.4A = 2A
2A x 1.25 = 2.5A total

✅ Fuse Size Guide

Current Draw Recommended Fuse
1–2A 3A Fuse
3–5A 5–7.5A Fuse
6–10A 10–12A Fuse

✅ Wire Size (mm²) Guide

Total Amps Length (m) Wire Size
0–5A ≤2m 1.0 mm²
5–10A 2–3m 1.5 mm²
10–15A 3–5m+ 2.5 mm²

🧰 Quick Pro Tips

  • Use inline fuses close to the power source

  • Test voltage with engine on (expect 13.8V)

  • Use proper ground—bare metal contact

  • For multi-zone systems, split into circuits or use relays

  • Voltage regulators = LED longevity, especially in large vehicles

Need help with your custom install or want to shop our recommended kits?
👉 Contact Artistic Lighting or Explore our range of LED Strips here

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