More interior lighting....

[dannyb]

I recently replaced my interior light with an LED bulb, which has made finding coins, lighters, filter tips etc easier than before, but I have considered putting some more lights around the interior. I am considering using the original interior lights (the clear plastic lense bits with the metal conntectors), but putting them into the plastic rear pillar bit of the interior (like BMWs have). How should I wire these up, where does the live come from and how do I earth it and fuse it? I have very little experience of this type of thing (apart from car stereos). Sorry for the essay, I just wanted to dispel any images of chavvy neon interior lighting!!

[novaco]

the way i would do it..is..take the two wires that go to your existing light..and run whatever other lights you want off the same circuit as that..

this would make it easier and also mean that when the doors are opened they would all come on..

[Jack]

I've always fancied doing this myself too. If you don't fancy undoing half the headlining, you could trace wires from the door switch pins instead of the existing light.

[bump]

If your going to use individual LED's then you'll need to do some forwardsvoltage calculations and add appropriate resitors to the circuit in order to achieve maximum output.

Most ready made options, i.e. interior lamp replacement have this already delt with.

[Nova_Tek]

Im also planning to add more lightning to my nova but most probably the footwells in the front. Very difficult to find dropped items in the dark, with dark carpets and mats.

I also dont want to remove the headlining to get the wires down so as mentioned Im thinking to use the actual door switch feed for either side.

dannyb - any idea how much the plastic lenses and metal contcacts cost from vaux?

[R1CH]

I fitted 2 std interior lights into my centre console to light up the foot wells a bit, i just used a live from the stereo / fag lighter or somewhere around that area then used the earth from the switch on the door.
Pretty simple really and looked 'factory fit' !!

Rich

[Nova_Tek]

thats a good idea mate.