Under bonnet lighting

Andy345 · Jan 3, 2015

So got one of those jobs on the never ending list almost finished today.

I got a couple of flexi strip LED's off eBay and stuck them up on the bonnet, here's how it worked out.

Is it going to be simple enough to splice straight into the current bonnet switch?

discool · Jan 3, 2015

No, the underbonnet switch is to activate the alarm system.

Just pick up a permanent live supply to the lights and ground them via a cheap additional push switch that when released earths the circuit and the lights will illuminate. Simples

Andy345 · Jan 3, 2015

Yeah, I had one of those switches today.

First problem was there was no quick and easy mounting point without making a bracket.

Second was it literally fell to pieces in my hands.

dieseldog69 · Jan 3, 2015

New earthing switch will be a couple of quid in the motor factors

Been in the "middle" of doing the same for a while, the led strips are there but I ran out of cable and incentive to finish it with the winter setting in

discool · Jan 3, 2015

I would expected that a bracket would be required as LR found that a bracket was requires for their switch, but they are easily made, some cheap switches do come apart but stay together and work when placed in their mounting hole.
In "cheap" I mean something like interior light door switch plus its bracket £5.

Of course you could use a conventional toggle switch as u wont need lights in day light, or even a small mercury switch clued to the bonnet with the LED fittings

Andy345 · Jan 3, 2015

I have considered the toggle switch. In two minds atm to deviate from the original idea as it just wouldn't give same job satisfaction.

Never heard of the mercury switch, but I can see how that would work.

I'll start looking for places to mount the push switch no doubt next to the LR one will work.

sierrafery · Jan 4, 2015

the bonnet switch closes to earth when the bonnet is opened so you can splice into the purple/orange wire from the switch with one side of a relay's coil through a blocking diode, the other side of the coil to live and the feed to the lights through the relay's contact, simple as that, the blocking diode between the relay's coil and the purple wire from the bonnet switch is to be 100% on the safe side as to isolate the backfeed through the coil to BCU or some signal from the BCU to the relay, then nothing bad can happen and it will be automatic

dieseldog69 · Jan 6, 2015

discool said:
a small mercury switch clued to the bonnet with the LED fittings

Now that is a great idea and probably one that would be easily overlooked!!

Another reason why I love being part of the forum, such diverse ideas and concepts

Andy345 · Jan 8, 2015

sierrafery said:
the bonnet switch closes to earth when the bonnet is opened so you can splice into the purple/orange wire from the switch with one side of a relay's coil through a blocking diode, the other side of the coil to live and the feed to the lights through the relay's contact, simple as that, the blocking diode between the relay's coil and the purple wire from the bonnet switch is to be 100% on the safe side as to isolate the backfeed through the coil to BCU or some signal from the BCU to the relay, then nothing bad can happen and it will be automatic

I'm going to send you a pm about this if you don't mind, not for a few days yet I've gotta swap the dmf first on Saturday!

Andy345 · Jan 8, 2015

dieseldog69 said:
Now that is a great idea and probably one that would be easily overlooked!!

Another reason why I love being part of the forum, such diverse ideas and concepts

Bearing in mind that I have never seen a mercury switch in hand only pictures on the net and the one place I would presume the switch could be mounted is toward the front underside of the bonnet for best elevation.

Is there not a possibility that the switch can be triggered whilst driving the car ect?

trax · Jan 8, 2015

mercury switch.. wouldn't it activate with acceleration or parking on hills, etc.

i think i would just fit a waterproof switch under the bonnet that hooks into a live. keeps it very simple

heggars · Jan 8, 2015

Fit a reed switch, it uses a magnetic field. bonnet open breaks contact and could switch to live, and would not activate while driving unless you lose your bonnet.
you would need a normally closed one mind and a small magnet screwed,glued above where it sits.

something along these lines

MINI REED SWITCH FOR ALARM SYSTEMS, Electronix

discool · Jan 8, 2015

That's call a magnetic proximity switch which are available with a change over contact, close coupling both parts may still be a bit of issues in a disco bay.

As far as false activation of a mercury switch that will depend on the switch, where and how its fitted and by whom

Disco DJ · Jan 8, 2015

As an alternative, what about the proximity switches, such as alarm systems use for doors and windows etc?

EDIT; Sorry, I was still on page one when I replied!

heggars · Jan 8, 2015

Tbh you can't go wrong with the good old fashioned on/off switch. Or if you wanted you could fit the time delay circuit, like the one on the interior light circuit. This way you can't leave the lights on by mistake.

Under bonnet lighting

Andy345

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