Engine compartment light

Hokie87 · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:14 pm Post subject: Engine compartment light

I know others have installed dome lights in the engine compartment and I'm looking for mounting location ideas. Anyone have a picture of where they installed a dome light in the engine compartment?

I'm also looking for wiring ideas. I was thinking of getting power from the regulator B+ terminal with an in-line fuse.

easy e · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:38 pm Post subject:

From Clara's Gallery pics

It runs from the + on the VR through an inline fuse to the light, which is a splitty interior dome light.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Z · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject:

[quote="easy e"]From Clara's Gallery pics

It runs from the + on the VR through an inline fuse to the light, which is a splitty interior dome light.

OK, dumb question from electrical dunce, but the D+ or the B+ on the VR?

Hokie87 · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:26 pm Post subject:

Eric&Barb · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:29 pm Post subject:

velvetgreen · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 4:08 pm Post subject:

I am no electrical genius but I bought a generic interior light from Canadian Tire (auto store) and then krazy glue'ed a couple of rare earth magnets to the back of the light. I can install the light anywhere there is metal and no drilling required

What are rare earth magnets you say? Basically magnets or steroids in terms of how well can stick to steel

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=59362&cat=1,42363,42348,59362

easy e · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 4:22 pm Post subject:

A couple compartment lights would be handy + one under the dash.

One of my favorite lights is a camping headlamp (wear on your head)... good light right where your looking & great for work under vehicle / other tight spots... and it frees up both your hands.
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Daddybus · Samba Member Joined: June 15, 2000 Posts: 1653

Magnetic LED 12v work light with an internally stored winded up cord that plugs into 12v power outlet wired to the battery (fused). I use an LED headlamp most of the time.

[email protected] · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:01 pm Post subject:

I have been using my cell phone flashlight instead.

Eric&Barb · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:02 pm Post subject:

Agreed, having a LED head lamp is very helpful!

Got one from a manufacture by the name of Coast out of Portland OR. Really super bright and without the totally blue toned of light cheaper LED lamps have.
Only complaints we have is the ones we have is they use 3 AAA batteries. Wish they would use AA ones or double the AAAs. Due to this the light dims down after 15 to 20 minutes, but does go on bright enough for close up work for at least an hour afterward. We are using rechargable batteries, so after these get dim we charge them back up and have not waited to see how long till they go out completely.
Think the ones we have are 175 lumens, model HL5.

If one does not like a headlamp, the old crook neck military style of flashlight works well. Unlike the normal flashlight you can lay the crook neck flash light on its side and aimed up underneath the VW while you work. Plus can be retrofitted with LED bulb.
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Clara · Samba Member Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12399

I jumped the wire off the big fat push on at the VR, like the westy dome light does, where the big fat red wire goes.
I also used 12V 10W bulbs, the ones that melt the dome light cover, and did not use a dome light cover.

One problem is on occasion I forgot to turn the light off, which can drain the battery.
Another option is jumping off the running light wire from the taillight, which is already fused.
Then you have to have the headlights switch out to the first click for the engine compartment light to work.

Don't have a pic handy, but some people have used door light switches from later VWs, which would not have worked here:

This location is perfect for checking the oil.
Think I went through inline fuse to battery on the baja truck.

BulliBill · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:36 am Post subject:

Every one of my Split Buses gets this update using original Bus dome lights in the engine compartment...

...and under the dash radio to illuminate the dash tray...

Bill Bowman
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

EDragnDean · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject:

PO tied mine into the headlights. Dome light, right above the deck lid, uses the existing wiring, need to have the headlights on for the light to work.
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Hokie87 · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 3:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks, everyone for the pictures and ideas.

Bill, where is this picture? Is this the engine compartment or the treasure chest? I don't have those cross beams to mount to in my engine compartment.

BulliBill · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject:

That is the engine compartment ceiling on my '59 DC, engine is not installed. That placement keeps the light just aft of the carburetor for nice even illumination of the engine with one light fixture. The power wire heads off to the right side where the battery is...

Bill
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

tisius · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:38 am Post subject:

Fredrok · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:20 pm Post subject:

This has been on my list, but far down in light of more pressing junk. My plan is to hide a 3ft-ish strip of the small led module lights on the inside lip opposite the hinges. A ton of light, very low amperage, Out of sight, long lifespan, facing the engine. I plan to run directly from the battery, fused, and use a mercury switch to ground so it illuminates with the decklid. At about a half an amp, you could work on the side of the road for a long damn time without worrying about the batt draining.

I really like Bill's addition above the parcel tray, I had not thought of that.

http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-Waterproof-Strip-3528-IP65-White-60L/dp/B005EHHLD8

Hokie87 · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:59 am Post subject:

I liked the idea of using original parts in unoriginal ways, but those LED strip lights are really nice and the sticky-back adhesive installation couldn't be easier. I may change my mind. Thanks.

Eric&Barb · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:40 am Post subject:

You can get LED bulbs that fit in the OG interior light also.
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Hokie87 · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:12 pm Post subject:

I went with the mounting location from Clara's gallery. I put one on each side and got power prom the regulator through an in-line fuse.


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