Saturday, 10 January 2015

Light up my life

Did I mention I have a thing for lights?

Well I do, and since the dark evenings have rolled in I've found the luggage area light to be a little lacking, especially if there is anything in the boot to block the light. 

So onto everyone's favourite auction site I went and searched for some led marker lights (white). Promptly bought and very quickly shipped from the land of rising internet blocking. 

I made a small mistake when ordering, I was so blinded by the shear volume of lights on offer I accidentally ordered a pair of 24v ones when I need 12v ones, but tested on bench and they still work fine at the lower voltage. There are similar ones marked dual voltage but mine weren't, but perhaps they are?

The plan was to find a home for them up on the rear pillar, but this being a removable hardtop I had to factor in a way to easily disconnect if I should want to remove the roof. 

So, drill and tape in hand I fitted the little jewels in place:


They look quite dandy here. Next up was routing the wiring from near side to the offside (to be nearest the existing luggage light). This was simply tucked in behind the window seal.

And the connections, I have a few 2-way waterproof connectors lying around from when I had the van, so one of these was used. It doesn't really need to be waterproof, but as it's going in a Land Rover...



The connector can just about be seen behind the roof handle. The other side loops in behind the lower trim and is spliced into the luggage light feed.

They throw out just enough light and actually look quite classy on the pillars when they light up. Night shots: