Storage Bin Lighting

[uktotty]

At the risk of sounding like a ricer, I am looking at lighting for the luggage bins.
Neons will be ok or LEDs but how can I light these bins without looking like a total chav?
anwsers on a postcard please

[edward.carter]

At the risk of sounding like a ricer, I am looking at lighting for the luggage bins.
Neons will be ok or LEDs but how can I light these bins without looking like a total chav?
anwsers on a postcard please

I'd go for leds over neons, if you put neons in there people may just think "chav" like you say, at least with simple white leds it will just look like an interior light.
Good idea BTW!!

[loadswine]

Agreed it is a good idea. Rummaging about in the dark to find something in the dark recesses of the door bin can be a pain, so a bit of light is handy. LED is nice and efficient. Go for it Russ.

[roger]

A great idea, especially if you can get a push switch (I'm sure that's not the correct name) that comes on as you open the lids, maybe even one on each side.

Or am I getting too detailed here, especially for those that regularly take the bins out for mods etc.

If you come up with a kit (switches, bulbs,  holders, wire, fuses, connectors etc) and advice on how to plug it all in to where, then I can see another advance on the Tem heated seats idea.

[uktotty]

I agree that a "push switch" like the fridge door would be a good idea

[StuM]

I agree that a "push switch" like the fridge door would be a good idea

A Pin Switch (Ebay Link) is what you want.

Sounds a great idea Russ - I might have to copy you!   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Cheers,
Stu

[muffdan]

Russ, as it's functional lighting being fitted to fix a genuine lack of lighting problem, I don't think you're at any risk of looking like a Chav. Chavs having big red neons under their car which are on all the time!   s:D s:D  

Jason

[Tem]

Put the lights on top, aimed down, so you can't see the actual light source.

And you could wire it from the interior light/door switch. You probably won't be opening them with closed doors anyway?  s;) s;)

[edward.carter]

And you could wire it from the interior light/door switch. You probably won't be opening them with closed doors anyway?  s;) s;)

It would be tricky to open them if you was in the car with the doors shut!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[roger]

Though I guess you would have to wire them to both doors switches, because you could be opening either.

Maybe the interior light is best then, so long as getting to it is no great problem and you can't over-ride it with the switch.

[Tem]

Though I guess you would have to wire them to both doors switches, because you could be opening either.

I'm not 100% sure, but IIRC, both door switches were connected and using only the drivers door worked from the passenger door too.

[StuM]

You probably won't be opening them with closed doors anyway?  s;) s;)

I've opened the bin behind the passenger seat before now by leaning forward the passenger seat.  It was a bit of a faff, but the alternative was to get very wet!   s:) s:)  

You're right though - 90% of the time I'm in there with the door open.

[SteveJ]

Though I guess you would have to wire them to both doors switches, because you could be opening either.

I'm not 100% sure, but IIRC, both door switches were connected and using only the drivers door worked from the passenger door too.

You are correct - the switches are connected in parallel and connect one side of the bulb to ground (the other side is connected to a permanent live)

[StuM]

You are correct - the switches are connected in parallel and connect one side of the bulb to ground (the other side is connected to a permanent live)

So could you take the permanent live to a PIN switch in the boxes and get power on even with the doors closed?

If so, I might have to fit a glove box one too as that is another dark area!

Cheers,
Stu

[wbarrwebster]

Hi,

I did the Glove box light sometime ago, if you search, you'll find  the details.

I suggest you could use the same Ford Glovebox switch /light for the bins, it's compact, neat and combines the plunger switch and the light in one and as importantly, it's cheap ( ex Ebay!)

Cheers,

B

[uktotty]

Great feedback guys, had a chat with my sparky mate last night, looks like we are going for the "Pin Switch" and a strip of LED lighting to avoid drilling the bins with independent LEDs.
As I have the sub in one side I will only  be installing in the drivers side, but this can be replicated for the other side on a separate strip with separate switch.
If your bins are empty you can install a single solution.
Follow ups to come!!

[edward.carter]

looking forward to it, im now thinking about doing the interior light with led, clear lens cover, storage bin lighting, glovebox light, and lighting the car up like a xmas tree!  s:) s:)

[Wabbitkilla]

Good idea Russ, it's a thing that's bugged me too - plus the glove box being unlighted.
I was thinking cold cathode lighting or LED just stuck in the top of the bins.

And no, it's a useful thing to have, not chav at all.

[onion86]

Sounds like a very useful idea, too much thought and effort for a Chav solution anyway, they would have stopped discussion at "omg I'm gonna double sided tape some neons to the bottom of my car and hook them up to the battery". I will def be keeping up with this thread  s:) s:)  Looking for some new practical LEDs now that I got the interior LED installed yesterday and it's still not as bright as I would like it. Seeing in the bins and/or glovebox would be great.

[uktotty]

Just bought this lot, will try different things and see what happens