Interior light for my Canam

[ultimad]

Has anybody fitted an interior light with an integrated switch (ON/OFF/Door as in most production cars) ? I'm contemplating fitting one to the rear bulkhead of my Canam. Has anyone done similar and/or has any ideas where I can source something suitable ?

[stig]

Yup, I have an LED strip that runs along the dash lower rail. It's earth switched from door pin switches and has a 3 way (off, door switched, permanently on) override by the ignition switch.

All the bits available from your local motor factors (except perhaps the lighting strip)

There is provision for interior lighting on the loom too (though I didn't use it)

>> Edited by stig on Monday 20th February 16:09

[cliveg]

I've fitted some to light the footwells. Haven't tried them yet, though, so don't know how well they will work. They came out of a volvo from a scrappie, but it took a bit of hunting to find some I would be happy with (most modern cars have moulded units fitted as part of their trim, and I was after something simple as you have described).

[stig]

Lots of high output LEDs on eBay. Very discreet, very bright. Just make sure you get 12v versions.

[davefiddes]

UltraLEDs have quite a range of LED strips, bulbs, etc. I was going to go down the same route as Stig and fit a couple of white strips. As long as the result doesn't look a bit too 2Fast 2Furious I'll be happy!

[USCANAM]

On our CanAm, we opted to go for a panel switch to activate the 2 interior lights
http://home.comcast.net/~rosenracing4
Reasons for this were that I expected the door to be open a lot when the car was not being used, and the car would not be used that much at night. Both these points have proven valid.
Having said that, one addition I would have made was a post light similar to what's used on an aircraft panel, for seeing some of the extra switches (rad fans, gearbox cooling, turn signal, dip, horn which are all grouped together) at night. With our panel setup, that will be easy to add, just a matter of getting at it.
http://home.comcast.net/~rosenracing2
I've only used the interior light a few times in over 10,000 miles of driving.
Regards
Jack

[steve_D]

I have two blue LEDs in the footwell which produce a good effect but not much usable light high up in the cockpit. They are door switched but there is an off switch on the dash for when the door is left open. Having said that 2 LEDs will not draw much to worry about.

Steve

[ultimad]

Thanks for your replies. Looks like you've all gone for an independantly switched light rather than the integrated switch/bulb type you see in most production cars. I was looking maybe to put in a footwell light but definitely something higher up (rear bulkhead), both switched by the integrated light/switch on the bulkhead. But I seem to be having a bit of a problem sourcing a universal switched interior light with an ON|OFF|DOOR control, which I find a little surprising. I looked at a Ford Focus courtesy light unit but that looks like a bit too much of a pain to adapt. Spent too much time already 'adapting' certain items in the build, so looking for an easy life from here on in !

[cliveg]

I saw one on a recent transit van in one scrapyard - simple lense with 3 position slider switch off/on/door, but the dealer was hoping to sell the whole van and wouldn't let me rip it out

[Graham-P]

I've got LED's in the luggage compartments and under the dash operated from the door pins with a three way switch. I'm also looking at getting the interior 'spot' reading lights from a Sierra that you can angle, fixing this unit in the upper rear bulkhead shinning down between the seats.

[builder]

Probably will use this controller for my lighting. I also have a four-circuit LED dimmer switch for separate dash illumination. That might not make it in...