Dome light defeat techniques

[Zeitgeist 13]

Another installment in my inane question series:

I'm surprised there isn't more info (readily available) in the archives (I looked), but I frequently use my van as a truck with a covered bed, so often the hatch, slider and doors are left open for long periods of time. This can often leave the dome lights on and drain the battery. I know I could manually switch all the lights off, but that's too inelegant, and I would no doubt forget to turn them back on.

The door and hatch switches can be defeated by just pushing them all the way in and then cocking them over so they catch in the closed position. Near as I can tell, the hatch switch can't be pushed all the way in, so it's always the trickiest to defeat. One idea is to install a second on/off switch next to it, and just manually open the circuit when you're going to leave the hatch open. Another option is to cut a groove in the metal post of the hatch switch, and then push the post in and cock it over so the groove catches the switch housing in the closed position.

I assume you camper-types have faced this issue before, so what are you doing to defeat the dome?
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[SCM]

[Zeitgeist 13]

My van has four individual dome lights, and I'm terminally lazy
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[SCM]

[motelvw]

Put LEDs in all the dome lights and don't worry about drain.

[geo_tonz]

Another option is LEDs. Replace the festoon bulbs in the interior lights with LED that take WAY less energy. Then a couple hours of having your door open won't make a significant difference to your battery. I did this as I knew the kids would mess around and leave the doors open or switch the lights to on and walk away while we're camping and I only have one battery. I also replaced the fluorescent bulb in the table light with LED strips to for the same reason. No dead/low battery yet and I frequently walk back to the van to find it empty and well-lit. My wife also didn't latch the rear hatch quite all the way on day and I didn't see the interior lights on until the next day...fired up no problem. The usual vendors have kits/individuals, as do Superbright LEDs.

**EDIT: and I see I was too slow to post once again!!***
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[Vinzanto]

^+1 On the LEDs, they draw something like a tenth (1/10) less amps than the stock bulbs. Oh and add a solar panel and never worry about a dead battery again
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1984 Vanagon Westfalia Wolfsberg

[kamzcab86]

Install/retrofit dome lights from a VW that have the time-delay feature.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=367772
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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[Zeitgeist 13]

Ah, I like the LED idea. Any guidance on exactly what bulb numbers correspond with the units typically found in the T3 domes? My table light died years ago...in fact, it died 'cause the switch failed in the closed position and would randomly turn on in the middle of the night and drain the battery. Putting some strip lighting in there would bring harmony back to the land.

I still think I'm going to add a small low profile switch in hatch area to defeat the dome, but at least the LEDs would allow me to not worry as much.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Zeitgeist 13]

[geo_tonz]

[syncroserge]

I had an 86 Jetta that had notches in the swithches to make jamming them in the off position easier.
That's what I did on all mine in the van..simple and works..dremel is best for the mod.

[1621]

Yes, LEDs are definitely the way to go. Get the brightest ones from Superbrightleds in WARM white. The bright white is too blue. Then put a dab of solder on one end of the festoon to keep the directional bulbs from rotating and you're most of the way through your elegant solution.

Another trick is to find the rear hatch door pin from a late 80's - early 90's (Mk II?) Scirocco, Golf, Jetta that has the little notch already in place. It's a simple plug and play swap on a Vanagon, and the notch provides a simple method on turning lights off manually. Closing the door will reset the pin so you don't need to manually turn it back on again.
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'85 Westy

[madspaniard]

add a simple switch inside by the door that cuts of power to all dome lights, like the switch you see in modern cars that does the same...
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[TequilaSunSet]

[Dampcamper]

PM sent to Casey recommending a vendor who stocks the right lamp right here in Portland.

[westyman71]

I know this does not help your issue, but a cool feature I have on my 1991 Dodge B250 van is you can turn the dash light dimmer all they way down until it clicks to an "off" position. This also turns off ALL the interior lights, courtesy lights, etc. The owners manual states that this is the intended purpose as vans may have their doors open for extended periods.

[Zeitgeist 13]

[Zeitgeist 13]

This is the type of switch I plan on installing. A small low-profile paddle switch, as seen on Mike Ghia's Bluestar

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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[vanagonjr]