possible to switch off the internal rear lights ?

[chriswalk]

I have recently bought a 2014 transit custom. Recently had to jump start it twice after both times having the back doors open for around 3 hours each time. I am guessing leaving the rear cabin lights on for 3 hours is what drained the battery.

Is there a way to turn off the rear lights when not needed for extended periods ?.

Likely will invest tin some LED lights in time. But would rather a simple switch

[Altransit]

Have a little search around here, someone did this in a Custom, and put a switch near the rear door.

The lights should switch off after 30 minutes unless you close and re-open the doors

[Bulldogboy]

I just pulled mine down from the roof, ( two clips, push in each side of clear plastic light cover) and pulled off a connector on each light, when i need them,push it on again, not as good as a switch but has the same effect!

[Bulldogboy]

P.s, look up " nebo ,big larry" worklight theyre bout 12/14 quid on egay, thheyre magnetic and you can stick em to your roof inside and move em about, dazzlingly bright, theyre brilliant.

[dumper]

Had sky round a month ago engineer told me they are having the same problem with their fleet of customs sky big boss whent down to Ford hq told them to fix problem or you can have the fleet back we’ll get vans form another manufacturer Ford have done a software update and fitted bigger battery’s to the fleet apparently the battery was the same as one of the small Petrol cars

[bigjohnthomas]

Isn't it a 110 battery ? 80ah my Chevrolet has a 35ah battery
Anyways led bulbs 2 for 99p off noncegay and the back light you can just drill a hole in the plastic surround and put a switch in there
The front one requires more bodgery

[chriswalk]

Cheers for the info everyone. Luckily i do not leave the doors open much, just recently due to new locks fitted, so had them open for a few hours.

I will likely get some low power LEDs fitted at a local electrical shop, or see if they can sort out a switch.

Seems a bit shite how some small internal lights on for a few hours can drain a battery.

[AusTansit]

I put this switch in my self.

[bigjohnthomas]

that's the same as I did
Same switch n everything
You've stolen my intellectual property
There's a one turnip fee for that you know


What did you about the front one ?
My roofs ply lined so I put a switch in that

Here in Lincolnshire we only get daylight for 3 months of the year so its on most times

[AusTansit]

Ha. Great minds think alike.
The front one is too hard. So left it unplugged.

[neill]

No easy way for the rear cargo lights. I got an inline switch like you get on a coffee table lamp . four lights s in rear wired in pairs. Cut the earth wire on each pair and routed this back to my inline switch which I attached to my racking. If my doors are open for any period I can just isolate the lamps

[chriswalk]

So yesterday when i came to leave work my battery was flat again. At most I had had the doors open a maximum of 30 minutes throughout the day going back and forth for stuff. I am on a group on Facebook for Transit Customs. It seems a common issue for people. They ae saying buy a bigger better battery to replace the rubbish ford ones. Some are also saying that the system stays live for half an hour each individual time the rear doors are opened. Is this for real ?, if so, what is actually goign on in live mode to drain the battery ?.

[Altransit]

So yesterday when i came to leave work my battery was flat again. At most I had had the doors open a maximum of 30 minutes throughout the day going back and forth for stuff. I am on a group on Facebook for Transit Customs. It seems a common issue for people. They ae saying buy a bigger better battery to replace the rubbish ford ones. Some are also saying that the system stays live for half an hour each individual time the rear doors are opened. Is this for real ?, if so, what is actually goign on in live mode to drain the battery ?.

I would say that your battery is due for renewal, especially if it's the original.
It doesn't take much to drain enough of the battery before it won't turn over the engine, add to that an ailing battery, a charge system that doesn't fully charge the battery, and winter temperatures, and you can see why people are having problems.

In my case it doesn't help that the van isn't used every day, which is why I've fitted twin batteries, and not had any problems this winter

[heulwen]

Have a little search around here, someone did this in a Custom, and put a switch near the rear door.

The lights should switch off after 30 minutes unless you close and re-open the doors

thanks new 18 plate custom tailgate so all internal lights will go off after 30 mins