The underbody lighting always attracts attention, we will tell you about the nuances when choosing and installing, the cost and the independent installation process. The underbody lighting always attracts attention, we will tell you about the nuances when choosing and installing, the cost and the independent installation process.
The content of the article:
- A kind of lighting
- Selection
- Price
- Installation
- Nuances of use
Quite often, while walking around the city, some cars require their gaze to be looked at by everyone. And this is all because of their originality. So, for example, cars with underbody lighting are also eye-catching. And the first thought that comes to mind is: "Why not make such a miracle yourself and not diversify the look of your car?"
Types of illumination of the bottom of the car
The very first backlight was created from neon lamps. That is why this type of illumination is called "neon". Such illumination can make even the most inconspicuous car noticeable on the streets of the city at night.
But, alas, among all these advantages, there are some disadvantages. For example, the fact that neon lighting is not long-term and its bulbs often break, and then they should be replaced. In addition, neon-type bulbs are not resistant to various shocks and damage. And the price of neon lamps is not small.
Today, fortunately, completely different technologies and methods have appeared that are more abruptly than bulbs, which are more durable to shock of various degrees. For example, there are factory samples, the components of which have a complete set for a complete installation. The driver only needs to attach it and connect it to the vehicle's electronic network. Next, you just need to turn on the underbody lighting from the control unit and enjoy what you have done.
In general, everything now depends on financial capabilities and a variety of ideas. Modern factory lighting can both blink and change color, change the angle of illumination, and so on. Also, many car enthusiasts decorate not only the bottom of the car, but also wheel arches, trunks, radiator grilles. In general, everything that can only be decorated and diversified.
There are other ways to do the bottom illumination with your own hands. But you don't need to make a light monster out of a car or a Christmas tree. For a stunning effect and in order not to interfere with nearby drivers, it is worth planning well in advance, and then lighting the bottom. It is then that the car will catch the eye and arouse admiration, as well as among other drivers and passers-by. But, for this it is necessary to adhere to some rules and regulations of the installation.
Selecting underbody lighting
It would be wise to think about the type of backlight before installing it. So, in the modern car market, there are two types of backlighting: neon and LED. These two types have their pluses and minuses.
Neon lights are lamps with a special gas inside. All lamps are combined into a shockproof housing. A huge plus in neon lighting is that it is possible to focus the direction of light to the desired location, which allows you to create a point lighting effect. But, unfortunately, this is the only plus of neon lamps. The disadvantage is that they are very fragile and not shockproof, which affects money costs.
Another disadvantage manifests itself in the choice of color "gamut", since the choice of colors and the brightness of the glow is formed due to a special gas and current. Quite often, as the practice says, at special service stations, the driver will be advised and set to install the neon underbody lighting. The first reason is that they break down quickly enough during fast driving. Secondly, they need to be installed carefully and without a single mistake. As everyone knows, this is an order of magnitude more expensive and the service station workers, because of such work, are trying to force as much money as possible.
When it comes to shock resistance, it's the LED backlight. Usually, it is a plastic tube with an LED strip inside. It has become popular due to its ability to be divided into different sizes. The LED strip can be cut into small pieces or left in its entirety several meters long.
Even a child can install it, and the price for it does not "bite", which is a couple more advantages. And, of course, do not forget about the reliability of the design in comparison with neon lighting. As a rule, LED strip costs ten times less than neon lighting using lamps. Now about the cons. More precisely about the minus. In this type of illumination, there is no way to scatter light, thus it will look like light and dots under the bottom.
Now about what the backlight boils down to, namely the control unit. Its main purpose is the availability of control of different colors on the installed underbody lighting. If it is not installed, the backlighting will be normal and without any special effects, but uniform. When choosing a control unit, two factors must be followed.
The first is to pay attention to the number of color changing programs. And the second is the availability of control over a distance, in other words, remotely. If you think logically, it becomes clear why you need a large number of programs on the control unit. Namely, it will help to realize as many shades and colors as possible in the underbody lighting. And remote control will help you manipulate the backlight as your heart desires.
Equipment and installation costs
As already mentioned, the price of equipment will depend on your desire and opportunity for money, the minimum set will cost the buyer 1,500 rubles, the set will include an LED strip, a control unit, control buttons, and in some cases there is a remote control.
If we talk about expensive and better backlights, then their cost will cost 7500 rubles. the set will include not just an LED strip, but a special long capsule inside which a LED strip protected from moisture, dirt and other damage. The set will also include all the necessary wires, a high-quality control unit and a remote control.
Everything will depend on your car, how big it is or how well you want to make the backlight. As for the installation work, in case you are afraid to install yourself, it will cost you from 2000 rubles, so the process is laborious and cannot be completed in 30 minutes.
Bottom lighting installation process
There are two ways to mount the underbody lighting. The first is to go to a specialized service station, where professionals will do everything for the owner of the car. The second is to try setting the backlight with your skillful knobs. When choosing a service station, it is best to pay attention to its reputation and the reviews of friends. And, of course, you shouldn't spare money, since installing the backlight is not a cheap pleasure. You will have to give a lot if the goal is planned at the service station.
In case there is a desire to experiment and create something that others do not have, and at the same time inspect the car, then you should do the installation yourself. The main advantage of such an installation is not financial savings, as it would seem at first glance, but an opportunity to experiment with the choice of underbody lighting and its final result.When in the installation of the "color scale" of the bottom something is not to your liking, then at any time you can change everything with your own hands.
For self-installation of the bottom lighting, you will need the following elements:
- LED strip with changeable colors, waterproof coating and excellent glow brightness;
- 4-core fine section cable;
- Heat-shrinkable tube of the same size with the cable cross-section;
- U-shaped profile made of aluminum, into which you will need to insert the LED strip;
- The backlight control unit itself.
During the installation, some questions may arise. For example, it is better to install the backlight control unit near the engine, where most of the fuses and machine control units are located. When this bottom illumination is installed on a car of the domestic auto industry, it is advisable to set it so that this unit does not interfere with other elements.
To obtain even illumination around the entire perimeter, it is necessary to place the LED strip symmetrically to each other at an equal distance between each. It is necessary to fix all the mechanisms and elements in such a way that they do not hang chaotically all over the bottom and do not rub against other parts of the car. This is what will allow you to protect yourself from premature breakdowns of the backlight.
But neon lighting is best left to professionals and not to experiment at home. But if this is a simple design, for example, for a pair of emitters, then you can install it yourself. Neon lighting does not provide for such special effects as blinking or color change during movement. This is all due to the fact that they have a long start-up, and when they are often switched during operation, the life of neon lamps decreases.
Some points during use
Quite often, motorists have a question: "Is it forbidden to install car lighting?", "What will happen if it is still prohibited?" etc. In most regions of the Russian Federation, traffic police officers consider this type of tuning unacceptable. And, as a rule, it is believed that the bottom illumination falls under article 12.4 of the Administrative Code, part 1. According to this article, drivers must pay a fine for illumination in the amount of 3000 rubles. or they may confiscate (remove) the backlight.
And it happens that the illumination of the underside of the car is referred to article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, part 3. This article is already more serious. According to her, the driver can be deprived of his driving license for a period of 6 months to a year.
Therefore, it is worth considering in advance what kind of backlight to put and whether it is worth it at all, and of course, how to handle it. Experienced riders recommend, just in case, to make an emergency shutdown button in order to avoid unpleasant situations with consequences.
