Updated Interior Boot Light

Jakg · 1st May 2016, 22:07

I've always thought the illumination in the boot was very poor.

I added an LED strip years ago fed off the light to try to increase things a bit, which worked ok

I since fitted a massive sub that blocks off the boot light so I fitted another two LED strips down the side of the boot to light it up better.

Last night I was trying to look inside a bag in the boot and I just couldn't see - the light was at the wrong angle to see inside the bag and it was just rubbish, because the light is so close. Then I had a brainwave... what if the light was in the boot lid, not in the boot itself?

Had a hunt in the shed and found an indicator housing from a Rover 75. Took the (amber) bulb out and replaced it with a (white) LED sidelight (same fitment). Made a plug using the receptacles from an old airbag plug.

Fitted in the void directly behind the numberplate - all I had to was cut a (tight) whole in the carpet and ensure the tabs pulled through - very secure.

Ran a single wire down the boot, through the rubber grommet into the car and attached to the power for the existing boot light. Earth is via the number plate light earth.

Looks suprisingly decent!

I went with an indicator housing as it's what I had spare - but in hindsight the standard boot light would've been a better thing to use - the terminals are the right size for crimps (no need to use receptacles), the light isn't "angled" to one side, and you can get bigger lights (5w sidelights vs 10w interior light). So I think I'll replace it in the future.

stevestrat · 2nd May 2016, 06:23

I have these on both ZTs, there are even suitable holes on the underside of the parcel shelf.

Jakg · 2nd May 2016, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I have these on both ZTs, there are even suitable holes on the underside of the parcel shelf.

Had I of seen that first... I would've saved myself a lot of trouble!

I've bought them for the future anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

I since fitted a massive sub that blocks off the boot light so I fitted another two LED strips down the side of the boot to light it up better.

You can see what I mean here

I realised that if the boot light is blocked off, then having it there wasting power was pointless.

So I relocated to where I'd put the other light

Looks a bit better and is a bit brighter. Need to swap the 10w bulb for an LED though.

steve-45 · 3rd May 2016, 07:49

Looks like it should have been there in the first place.

Will have to think about moving mine, as all I've done is to replace it with a Metro interior light which is the same size but has a on / off switch built into it.

Lord of Hog · 3rd May 2016, 07:54

That's a couple of good ideas. I'll be having a go at that when I address all things boot-related if the sun ever comes out.

Alikris · 3rd May 2016, 10:02

What a timely thread. I've got an HK subwoofer to fit at some point and I was going to put in some extra boot lighting to compensate (the HK sub reduces the effectiveness of the boot light). Relocating the boot light to the underside of the boot lid is an excellent idea, I hadn't thought of that, thanks

Ali.

t5tart · 26th December 2016, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

Had I of seen that first... I would've saved myself a lot of trouble!

I've bought them for the future anyway.You can see what I mean here

I realised that if the boot light is blocked off, then having it there wasting power was pointless.

So I relocated to where I'd put the other light

Looks a bit better and is a bit brighter. Need to swap the 10w bulb for an LED though.

I thought about doing one there then just thought if I was in the boot id just block out any light from it lol

steve-45 · 26th December 2016, 22:22

How easy is it to run the extra wire through the connecting rubber tube, into the boot ?

t5tart · 26th December 2016, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-45

How easy is it to run the extra wire through the connecting rubber tube, into the boot ?

dead easy if you are talking from the boot lid into the boot

I ran a reversing camera cable through there with an RCA jack on it

keithst24 · 30th December 2016, 21:56

Did my boot light a while back with 2 x LED lights

A lot brighter for loading/unloading in the dark

1st May 2016, 22:07	#1
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	Updated Interior Boot Light I've always thought the illumination in the boot was very poor. I added an LED strip years ago fed off the light to try to increase things a bit, which worked ok I since fitted a massive sub that blocks off the boot light so I fitted another two LED strips down the side of the boot to light it up better. Last night I was trying to look inside a bag in the boot and I just couldn't see - the light was at the wrong angle to see inside the bag and it was just rubbish, because the light is so close. Then I had a brainwave... what if the light was in the boot lid, not in the boot itself? Had a hunt in the shed and found an indicator housing from a Rover 75. Took the (amber) bulb out and replaced it with a (white) LED sidelight (same fitment). Made a plug using the receptacles from an old airbag plug. Fitted in the void directly behind the numberplate - all I had to was cut a (tight) whole in the carpet and ensure the tabs pulled through - very secure. Ran a single wire down the boot, through the rubber grommet into the car and attached to the power for the existing boot light. Earth is via the number plate light earth. Looks suprisingly decent! I went with an indicator housing as it's what I had spare - but in hindsight the standard boot light would've been a better thing to use - the terminals are the right size for crimps (no need to use receptacles), the light isn't "angled" to one side, and you can get bigger lights (5w sidelights vs 10w interior light). So I think I'll replace it in the future.

2nd May 2016, 06:23	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,485 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	I have these on both ZTs, there are even suitable holes on the underside of the parcel shelf. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

3rd May 2016, 07:54	#5
Lord of Hog Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Felbridge, East Grinstead Posts: 982 Thanks: 250 Thanked 294 Times in 206 Posts	That's a couple of good ideas. I'll be having a go at that when I address all things boot-related if the sun ever comes out. __________________ Conformity is not morality. Consensus is not truth.

3rd May 2016, 10:02	#6
Alikris Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8 Connie SE Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Vindolanda, Northumberland Posts: 539 Thanks: 111 Thanked 153 Times in 105 Posts	What a timely thread. I've got an HK subwoofer to fit at some point and I was going to put in some extra boot lighting to compensate (the HK sub reduces the effectiveness of the boot light). Relocating the boot light to the underside of the boot lid is an excellent idea, I hadn't thought of that, thanks Ali. __________________ Vicky: born Thursday, 15th April 2004 @ 08:20:55. The 95,246th 75 to be produced, and the 4,783rd 75 in British Racing Green Pearlescent.

30th December 2016, 21:56	#10
keithst24 This is my second home X Power Grey MGZT 180+ Auto... Bumble & 1.8T Odessey Rover 75 Contemporary SE manual Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Reigate Posts: 5,375 Thanks: 2,254 Thanked 1,801 Times in 1,403 Posts	Did my boot light a while back with 2 x LED lights A lot brighter for loading/unloading in the dark __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Bumble Membership Number 35478 Born Monday, 16th June 2003 @ 14:30:35 This vehicle was the 9,196th ZT to run off the production line, out of 18,894 This vehicle was the 576th ZT 180 + to be made out of 828 This vehicle was the 871st ZT in XPower Grey (code: LEF) to be made out of 3,143 XPower Grey ZTs

3rd May 2016, 07:49	#4
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	Looks like it should have been there in the first place. Will have to think about moving mine, as all I've done is to replace it with a Metro interior light which is the same size but has a on / off switch built into it.

26th December 2016, 22:22	#8
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	How easy is it to run the extra wire through the connecting rubber tube, into the boot ?