fitting internal lighting - wiring question

[Lee J]

OK, I want to fit a pair of interior lights into the back of me 2001 new shape tranny, but I dont want them to come on/off with the door openers. I want to be able to switch them on then switch them off.

So, how do I go about it?

[Luke]

run a live from the battery to a in line fuse then to a switch then to the light the to earth on the body near the light will do!!

[Lee J]

how do you connect the wire to the battery? (under the seat)

[FredTransit]

how do you connect the wire to the battery? (under the seat)

Depends on your battery terminals. The bodgy answer would be to just twist the bare end round it, but it's better to crimp a neat end onto it, and secure it to the live. Again I don't know what your live terminal looks like, can you gice us a clue, maybe a piccie?

[Lee J]

well Im sure it's just a standard battery with standard terminals but I'll try to get a piccy tonight and post it tmrw.

thanks

[chrisuk]

If your tranny is lined inside then why not pop into B&Q or Homeslab and grab yourself one or two of those cheap and cheerful wall flush lighting switches, cut a small square out off the linning and screw in place, AFTER connecting wires of course, will be easy to see and operate and will last, if you are techy enough you could use a simple earth door switch plus the above mentioned switch, this way the light will go off if you leave the wall switch turned on...

[sidspop]

Decent electrical suppliers, not B&Q, and get a single metal back box and a switched fused spur. Pop rivet or self tap the back box just inside the door, and wire as follows
1 From battery +ve to a fuse, suggest 5 amp.
2 From fuse to L in terminal of switched fused spur.
3 From L out of sfs to one side of bulb
4 from other side of bulb to earth.

Witha bit of jiggerypokery you can use twin core wire (decent thickness not speaker wire ) from the bulb back to the box, and earth it in there.
Need any more help PM me.
Use a proper fuseholder, and proper terminals.
DO NOT BODGE !
It's a well known fact that a £3000 van will self ignite, quicker than a 20p fuse that's not fitted will blow.