Wiring Fire!!!

[sinlessgunner]

Ok here is where I prove myself to be a total idiot. I was wiring my LEDs yesterday and it was fine, connected them to the ignition wire going into the cigarette lighter and they worked fine so packed them up and got my car back to normal. Later on I went out to start my car, then.........smoke! My headlights wouldn't come on and there was smoke coming from my centre unit. I almost had a heart attack. I pulled apart the wiring and everything is working fine except the LEDs which arent connected. Can someone tell me what the hell happened!!

[djabie]

Sounds like you have got the polarities mixed up neg to earth earth to neg e.t.c.
So it must have looked ok for a while then when the leds and wire heated you got smoke and burnt out your leds and maybe blown a fuse for you headlights
you must have earthed a live somewere its the only answer.
I assume you used a 12volt tester to check for live and earth? availible at any motorshop only a few quid
I would recommend wiring the leds to the bulb that goes to the ashtray it uses slightly less voltage and double check your live and earth.
Remember 12volt dont seem like much but it can cause a big fire and wreck you pride and joy
Good luck

[sinlessgunner]

Everything is sorted now thank God have a nice centre unit now. Blue and green LEDs in the buttons. Looks well. Will post pics later