Interior Lighting suggestions?

[DavidV]

So it turns out the dome light and non-functioning locks were both related to the trunk not being fully closed (doh!). For future reference, the rear position on the switch makes the dome light operate with the doors.

** DavidV

[rrrucke]

I still want one of our DIYrs to create a lighting mod for cabrios for the rear cargo area. Something more professional/OEM and not a stick on dome light. I would have it installed above the luggage cover line but not in the way of my planned install to add a set of speakers in the same area. Any suggestions? Thanks, Regina

[Throwdown]

I changed a lot of the interior lighting in my 8, as well as added some. Led's are your friend here. I'm going to switch my interior lights with red led's to match my 8, as well as add some footwell led's. If you want more interior light, I suggest using super bright white led's. They're pretty powerful and will give you lots of additional light. If you still need more, mount some led's to a board and find interesting places to put them.

[gamernotwatcher]

I am going to go for the LED velcroed on in the cargo area. They also act as a flash light as needed, multi tasking all the way.

[spiwrx]

Check out oznium.com I buy LEDs from this guy quite a bit. He has some great lighting products for interior and exterior automotive applications.

If you aren't mechanically or electrically inclined I'm sure any reputable car audio or even a decent mechanic could instal for you.

I'm planning some interior stuff from him when I finally get my ForTwo

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by rrrucke

I still want one of our DIYrs to create a lighting mod for cabrios for the rear cargo area. Something more professional/OEM and not a stick on dome light.

Agreed. In the meantime, I've taken this out of my VW and ordered an extra one as replacement:

http://oempl.us/index.php?main_page=...products_id=37

Benefits:

1. Got rid of ugly plastic "12V" power socket cap
2. By merely twisting the VW torch in its place in the Smart on the 12V socket, I get a powerful white led light aimed at the coin holder and key slot
3. I can take the VW torch with me to the back to light the cabrio's roof rail storage or any other area
4. The torch is supposed to provide 20 hrs or so of illumination when fully charged. It charges continuously when in the power socket
5. The VW marks are in the metal portion and are hard to find. It is basically an unmarked item. No one has to know it came from VW!

Funny thing, I don't think I ever used the torch in two years with the VW... car has lights all over. Yet I used the torch in the Smart tonight after only 24hrs of Smart ownership and would have missed it sorely if I hadn't had it.

[Razorback]

I purchased one of each of these lights. I intended to place one in the left cubby in the boot and the other above the boot area but may reconsider placing one in the glovebox if there isn't a light there already?? or the dome light doesn't provide adequate lighting in that regard. The lights are bright and will provide sufficient lighting in my opinion and they also do come with batteries. also the 'Black Golden Dragon model comes with a motion detector which switches the light from off to bright to dim to off again.

http://www.bulbamerica.com/Black-Gol...ategory_id=178

http://www.bulbamerica.com/DOT-IT-Li...ategory_id=178

[bob_in_europe]

Some VW and Audi models have a light near the headliner grab handles just above each rear door. these have a two position setting... a) light on demand (also when the door opens), or b) off.

I was thinking that one of these could neatly be integrated into the side panels in either (or both) side(s) of the trunk. Then, if more light is needed, it is available.

Obviously, this mod would be easier for the W450 because the dome lamp is mounted in the rear of the headliner and the wiring for same runs up the LH C-pillar. Don't know, but I suspect that in the W451 you would have to run a feed from the front to the rear.

If you did a mod to add a 12V power tap in the boot, as per the mod on Evilution.co.uk, then you would have the presence of ready power regardless of dome-light (but you would have to sacrifice the feature of the boot lights coming on when the hatch (or door was opened)... and you would still have to likely run a feed from front to rear.

regards, bob

[pabille]

I had a post in Tech and Gadgets for this light. It's great with the swivel feature allowing you to direct light. Perfect for mounting above just inside the rear hatch. The thread owner and I were trying to figure out how to keep something like this mounted in the hot S. Cal. heat. Adhesives tend to fail inside a hot enclosed car. Velcro was a suggestion but that is stuck on with adhesives too.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by rrrucke

I still want one of our DIYrs to create a lighting mod for cabrios for the rear cargo area. Something more professional/OEM and not a stick on dome light. I would have it installed above the luggage cover line but not in the way of my planned install to add a set of speakers in the same area. Any suggestions?

As a matter of fact, yes...

I've got the 4-pc. Euro-style roll bar covers (in tasteful carbon-fiber finish from SmartMadness), which leave a gap between them at the center of the roll bar. My plan is to attach a pair of high-intensity white LEDs to the underside of the roll bar, just inboard of the ends of the covers, and run the wires down inside the covers toward the floor, then tie 'em into either a switch in a convenient location or the dome light switch. I suppose if I didn't have the Euro-style covers, I'd just take off the OEM roll bar cover, mount the LEDs in the underside of it, and wire it up in like fashion.

We'll see if this works in a couple of months, YMMV, pro-driver-closed-course, all other standard disclaimers apply.