31 replies to this topic

[Danny_California]

Search actually turned up nothing on this one surprisingly! Has anyone fitted a courtesy light in the boot? Cause I want to fit one, but I dont know the first thing about wiring unfortunately
I do know, however, that the alarm on the boot works off a push button which when the boot is open sets the alarm off (if its set lol) So maybe I could use that somehow??
Also what type of light do people reccomend? ie wattage, size, shape etc

[giz]

i've used a light made for caravans! it's about 6" round and i've bolted it to the underside of the parcel shelf. because it already has a switch fitted i've just ran a cable straight from the battery.
the boot switch might be alright to use as it's probably just like the door switches but i'd check out the wiring first with someone who knows more about them.
giz

[fatmini]

just use annother iterior light for a mini and mount in upside down on the parcel shelf wired in with a push switch like ur alarm one or a toggle switch that u can just reach in and turn on ,this makes sure it doesnt stay on when u shut the boot just incase the swich fails or becomes loose


nice idea ,i like it !!!

[timbo]

shiftymini has done one to his mini if i remember rightly.

give him a pm and i doubt he will mind telling you how he did it.

[Matt]

the standard alarm buttons are release for ground.. i.e

it makes ground when the switch isnt pressed or in your case when you open the boot..

you need to run 12+ to the positive (or red) on the light and the ground (black) to the switch..

easy peasy

[Bungle]

i had 1 on my first mini

it fitted onto the boot lid with a tilt switch and came on when the lid was lowered

the power came straight off the battery but fused

[Danny_California]

When people say "straight off the battery" that doesnt mean just attatched to the terminals does it?! Thats always confused me somehow lol

Right, so i just patch in both red and black to the same leads on the alarm switch?

[Jordie]

Personally I wouldnt be cutting no alarm wires.

Id mount a new switch and wire the red/black wires to run the lamp to the switch and battery as suggested.

[Bungle]

When people say "straight off the battery" that doesnt mean just attatched to the terminals does it?! Thats always confused me somehow lol

yes battery terminals but a fuse as close as you can get

[Danny_California]

I'd really like it to come on automatically though...
I know its a daft thing to say, but what could go wrong when cutting the alarm wire just to add another set of leads?

[Jordie]

Not sure how car alarms work but if you accidently cut through your house alarm sensor wires, it triggers the alarm as it thinks someone is cutting the system to prevent been caught by the sensor.

For that reason and not wanting to complicate standard wiring, i would wire in a totally seperate system.

[Matt]

as above.. id run totally seperate for the same reasons jordie has mentioned...

i'd still run the boot light fused from the fuse box but im cautious.

[Danny_California]

Its the factory rover alarm. Surely if I disconnect the battery the alarm couldnt set itself off?

[SpaceframeGT]

as above.. id run totally seperate for the same reasons jordie has mentioned...

i'd still run the boot light fused from the fuse box but im cautious.

Alternatively , use a single core cable possibly 14/0.3 (rated at around 8amps) via an inline fuse holder such as http://www.autoelect...l...ails&id=627 fitted close to the battery terminal . This will be the +ve supply cable to a suitable 12v lamp . The -ve cable from the lamp can be run to a contact switch such as http://www.autoelect...l...ils&id=1766 fitted so that the switch plunger is depressed when the boot is closed. As the boot is opened this switch will make the circuit to chassis ground and the lamp will come on automatically.
The vehicle alarm system contact switch works in a similar fashion though relays may operate in the alarm control unit to flash headlights/indicators or sound a siren. The original alarm contact switch could be used but I would recommend fitting a diode ( which acts as a "one way" electrical valve) to prevent odd occurences with the alarm system. Hope this helps.

[Bungle]

I'd really like it to come on automatically though...

so why dont you fit one with a tilt switch ?