>My brain is saying 'Just snip them and make sure the exposed metal doesn't touch anything by epoxying over the ends'.
your brain is correct. you don't need 'em at all. I have 6 lights connected this way in my cab, plus an amp for the audio, all using only the 12v lines. I did need a ground loop isolator for the amp, but that's a topic for a different discussion.
-jeff!