Wiring a courtesy light

reiny · Jan 26, 2019

I am sick and tired of using torches to see the interior of my 90 and would like to install a courtesy light. I have a modern-type courtesy light and have no intention of wiring it to the doors or any of that fancy stuff. I have a vacant on-off-on carling rocker switch in my mud dash and would like to connect it to it but I am an idiot where electrics are concerned.
The courtesy light has two wires (i believe they're both purple) and an earth wire attached to the body of the switch. Why two wires? Isn't one enough?
Can I piggy back the accessory socket (cigar lighter) onto the switch to provide power? is there anything else I need to do?

landowner · Jan 26, 2019

I used a stick on LED light with batteries, good light long lasting and did the job without wires, even stayed on one minute after leaving cab

My Old Landy · Jan 26, 2019

reiny said:
Can I piggy back the accessory socket (cigar lighter) onto the switch to provide power? is there anything else I need to do?

The accessory socket will have a 10 amp fuse so the light would not be protected. It would be best to put a smaller fuse in line with the light.

nobber · Jan 26, 2019

What year is it? Should be operated via the switch beside the hazards, purple wire will already be in the vehicle.

nobber · Jan 26, 2019

Oh, and just to add, door switches are very easy to install as is a timer/fading relay.

nobber · Jan 26, 2019

but I am an idiot where electrics are concerned.
I just read that bit, if you are not confident enough to do this dont do it, it will be fused but not ignition switched, so pretty much always live, you ccould do the install but leave the connecting of the wire to someone in a garage?

Jimsky Korsokov · Jan 28, 2019

reiny said:
I am sick and tired of using torches to see the interior of my 90 and would like to install a courtesy light. I have a modern-type courtesy light and have no intention of wiring it to the doors or any of that fancy stuff. I have a vacant on-off-on carling rocker switch in my mud dash and would like to connect it to it but I am an idiot where electrics are concerned.
The courtesy light has two wires (i believe they're both purple) and an earth wire attached to the body of the switch. Why two wires? Isn't one enough?
Can I piggy back the accessory socket (cigar lighter) onto the switch to provide power? is there anything else I need to do?

Hi - I think you will have 2 wires because one will be for direct connection to always-on +ve (for when the switch is in the ON position), the other will be for providing power on the doors switches which go via a timer relay - these stay on for a bit longer and then switch off.

nobber · Jan 28, 2019

Jimsky Korsokov said:
Hi - I think you will have 2 wires because one will be for direct connection to always-on +ve (for when the switch is in the ON position), the other will be for providing power on the doors switches which go via a timer relay - these stay on for a bit longer and then switch off.

Not all have door switches.

Wiring a courtesy light

reiny

Active Member

landowner

Pensioner Pete

My Old Landy

Keep breathin'

nobber

Well-Known Member

nobber

Well-Known Member

nobber

Well-Known Member

Jimsky Korsokov

Active Member

nobber

Well-Known Member

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