Trunk lighting options?

[ke4unr]

New guy here, and thought I'd start out with an easy one. I have a question about the trunk lighting. I have an '04 V8 Sport should it matter. I searched for this first, but no results.

Anyway, I guess because of the location of the light and perhaps the standard bulb, it seems a bit inadequate to my eyes. Especially with the trunk loaded, and trying to see things in the "tunnel" going to the backseats. I guess I'm used to trunk (and hood) lights being mounted under the lid, up higher.

Minor stuff, I'll admit. But, I was wondering if anyone had any creative and hopefully simple solutions? I would like to keep it looking sharp (factory like). First, is there a bulb that would help, higher wattage, etc.? If need be, where is a good alternative location for a secondary light?

And yes, I always keep a Maglite with fresh batteries in my vehicles.

Thanks,
Ray

 

[SilverLS]

discount auto parts make these little tiny led lights with a stickey stand(I hope you know what im talking about) And they put out a little more light you get two in a pack stick them under the deck and wire them to the light....If you need me to get a picture I can...>We used them in my mom's vette to light under the dash(feet) so....

 

[ke4unr]

Hmm, sounds possible. I'm not exactly sure what led lights you're talking about. Particularly the sticky stand part. But, I have a Discount Auto Parts just a few miles from my house. I'll drop by and browse. If I don't find anything, I might take you up on your offer of a picture. But, I'm thinking if they're good enough for mom... Thanks!

 

[SilverLS]

yeah there are made by type s or some ricer company.....they work good though the stand is like a little tripod it lets them swivel and everything hope that helps..

 

[ke4unr]

Well, no dice at my local Advance Auto Parts. We used to have Discount Auto Parts, but I believe they got bought out by AAP, if I remember correctly. Anyway, all is not lost...your idea is a good one. I didn't think about LED lighting. So, I just did a quick Google search, and the first site I hit has some possibilities. I envision mounting one or two on the bottom side of the rear deck cover (in the "tunnel"). Here's the link, if you're interested. I'm leaning toward the Round LED Accent Light about halfway down the page. Thanks for your help!

http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini_tubes.htm

 

[SilverLS]

I jsut thought of something else I did this in the truck i had get a white neon 14.99-19.99 and mount it on the rear deck the white neon is brite and will light it all up for you...just wire it to the light and when you open the trunk the neon turns on.....good luck....

 

[LS4me]

I added a $5.99 utility light. The problem is the LS electrical system is so sensitive, that when I wired it up to the existing light, the computer read too much voltage going out, so would shut off both lights. I installed a switch to turn the light on and off, but being a perfectionist, I couldn't live with that solution. I ended up buying a relay at Radio Shack and wiring it in between the existing light and my new light. That works perfectly. I mounted the light to the crossmember at the top of the rear seat.

 

[ke4unr]

This is interesting about the electrical system being sensitive. I wouldn't have thought an LED light which draws very few milliamps would cause any problems. But, I guess the easy way to find out is to wire one up and see if I encounter the same problem. In fact, I think one of the LED lights I saw at the auto parts store the other day had a relay in the circuit.

On the other hand, I just remembered, the car's electronics are monitoring the lighting components to alert when one goes out. So maybe any change could affect it...

Thanks!

p.s. Nice avatar!

 

[Jim Henderson]

Some of those LED lamps, the super bright ones, can pull a fair amount of power. Some use 1 watt which is quite a bit over the long run and considering the size.

Most of the bright LEDs I have seen lately pull about 6 volts and depending on what type LED, they pull a few 10s of milliamps to several hundred mills. The 1 watters should pull almost 200 mills. Of course this is much less than any comparable incandescent.

I am a little surprised the LS electrical system cares how much current is being drawn thru a light circuit, but who knows. Could be a "benefit" of Ford using some Lucas electricals thru the Jaguar connection, "And then Lucas said, let there be darkness". Just kidding on that one, I hope.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

[LS4me]

Some of those LED lamps, the super bright ones, can pull a fair amount of power. Some use 1 watt which is quite a bit over the long run and considering the size.

Most of the bright LEDs I have seen lately pull about 6 volts and depending on what type LED, they pull a few 10s of milliamps to several hundred mills. The 1 watters should pull almost 200 mills. Of course this is much less than any comparable incandescent.

I am a little surprised the LS electrical system cares how much current is being drawn thru a light circuit, but who knows. Could be a "benefit" of Ford using some Lucas electricals thru the Jaguar connection, "And then Lucas said, let there be darkness". Just kidding on that one, I hope.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

I think it's because the electrical system is so taxed. I can't remember who, but someone replaced their tail light bulbs with LEDs, and they had all kinds of problems.

How about this. The 10 minute radio delay timer is internal to the radio. The only way to keep my amp on for the 10 minutes was to get a remote power adapter and bump up the speaker wire voltage to trigger the amp.

 

[beaups]

easier way might have been to use the radio's amp triggering functionality instead of a 12v switched line for your amp. `

 

[LS4me]

easier way might have been to use the radio's amp triggering functionality instead of a 12v switched line for your amp. `

I have the base radio and the amp is internal.