LED lights, nice, but the the hell do you switch them on/off

[BHM]

I think there's probably more active than just cargo lights...I have LED's and they can flatten the batt in about 4 hrs if permanently on, which is easy if i'm in and out of the van every 20 mins or so.....They do go out immediately on locking, so I'm considering reactivating the slam lock function....


BHM

[Greenoval]

I removed both globes from the cargo area of my custom because the lights would stay on for up to 40 minutes when the side door was kept open during the day. The simple answer for me...... I have 2 magnetized cheap mechanic type led torches. One mounted just inside the sliding door, and the other just inside the back door. They run on 3 AA batteries each. I can mount them in any position and they both have (on full, on half, and off) settings.
Greenoval

[keyi]

sorry for hijacking this post but does anyone know what (codes) bulbs are needed for all the lights in the van mine is a dual cab.
im wanting to replace them with a blue tinted LEDs if possible
many thanks

[richbee]

very simply. both interior lights have their own feed and return, that is, the feed does not go from one and then to the other. All you have to do is take the light out, disconnect the feed wire, get a length of suitable cable with a male spade connector and plug it into the feed female spade connector, route the cable to where you want it and connect to the switch, Then take another length of cable and attach to the load terminal of the switch and then route back to the light ( obviously these steps would be done with suitable twin core cable), Connect a female spade connector onto the cable and then attach to the light. All you have effectively done is put in an "inline switch" Then just repeat the same for the other light. The switch I put the link for has a double pole, so it has 4 terminals. 2 feed and 2 load terminals so you can run both lights from the 1 switch but keep them separate.

Hope that makes sense !

Perfect sense - so no wires cut, only spade connectors removed & extra wires and a switch put in place. Might try that

[AusTansit]

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I installed a switch on the rear light. And left the center light disconnected. Easy.
I don’t know why It did not have one installed already. Bad on Ford.

[richbee]

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13136BFE-A98B-4277-A3C9-D2BFBE00FBC7.jpeg

I installed a switch on the rear light. And left the center light disconnected. Easy.
I don’t know why It did not have one installed already. Bad on Ford.

Looks good - thanks for that - I've ordered a switch & spade connectors

[richbee]

54608B24-11A6-44AE-9942-4878B87E061A.jpeg

13136BFE-A98B-4277-A3C9-D2BFBE00FBC7.jpeg

I installed a switch on the rear light. And left the center light disconnected. Easy.
I don’t know why It did not have one installed already. Bad on Ford.

Looks good - thanks for that - I've ordered a switch & spade connectors

Temporarily found a good shortcut - I've got a dummy door catch from wire which fits in place when the door is open - makes the van think the door is shut so the LED lights go off