Disabling boot light

[Broadside]

On my T6 Shuttle there is a load compartment light which does not have a manual override, it comes on when the tailgate is open and then times out after about 20 mins.

When camping I switch off the interior lights at the main switch above the rear view mirror, but there is one light that is not connected through that switch - the one in the boot!

Does anyone know of a way to control this light, can I pull a fuse? I am thinking of installing a small switch nearby to it so I can easily disable it when the boot will be open for long periods.

I don’t have a leisure battery setup (yet) so I want to maximise starter battery voltage so i can run my compressor fridge for the max amount of time. It’s only a 12v 10w bulb in that light but as I don’t want it on when camping anyway I would like a way of turning it off without having to pop the connector out of the light each time.

I had thought about putting an LED bulb in there but a bit concerned about the heat generated by an LED when there is no ventilation behind the light unit.

 

[The_Lad]

Led will generate less heat than a filament bulb so don’t worry about that

 

[Loz]

Don’t leave the tailgate open?

 

[Broadside]

Don’t leave the tailgate open?

Now why didn’t I think of that!

 

[Blitz]

Yes it's a pain. I use a rear awning so boot is open, it's the only light I cant turn off.
Was thinking of solutions on my last camping trip until a found the Gin

 

[Broadside]

I put a switch on it today, there is a blanking plate where the seat belts for the 4th row of seats can go in a LWB Shuttle which was a handy place to put the switch.

I can now turn the light off when I want

 

[Blitz]

Good idea. Did you take any pics of the wiring you needed to tap into ?

 

[Broadside]

It is very simple, I just cut in to one of the wires a few cm back from the light unit and then ran a new wire to the switch.

On/Off Round Rectangle Rocker Switch + Waterproof Cover Car Dash Boat SPST 12V | eBay

The switches are designed for snap-in mounting and suitable for a wide range of applications. Rectangle switch panel cut-out: 19 x 12mm. Optional waterproof cover. Round switch panel cut-out: 20mm.

www.ebay.co.uk

I pilot drilled from the back of the blanking plate to get the centre point and then used a 20mm still bit from the front to do the main hole cut out and then the switch just snaps in to place. It is a simple little job.

 

[Blitz]

Thanks mate, looks simple enough, those snap on switches are handy.

 

[Deaston]

What are the red things you've used to join the cables?

 

[S555]

What are the red things you've used to join the cables?

Butt Connectors.

 

[Broadside]

What are the red things you've used to join the cables?

Just standard hand crimp tool butt connectors. I used similar spade terminals on the back of the switch as well.

Electrical Crimp Pack

A pack of 150 assorted terminals for making solderless electrical connections. The crimp connectors are colour-coded in either red, blue or yellow for easy matchups, while the plastic storage box is divided into 18 compartments to keep them tidy and well-organised. These wire crimps are...

www.toolstation.com

 

[Brettvee]

Thanks, for a very handy tip with the tailgate compartment light.

 

[andy6093]

This is a great tip thanks. Just done the same on my T6 - only advice from the pic above is not to fix switch wire quite as close to light connector - just in case you screw up the butt connector and have to redo.

 

[John@chillington]

Great posts thanks , yes I did fit an led lamp, but still annoying not having a switch.
Can someone lead to to a link for the switch please?