fuse/load ?

[1990LTD]

Use a trunk tilt switch from a Mark VII. 2 wires, no bulb socket. Just wire it in the + wire.

It will tilt and complete the circuit intead of lighting a bulb? Cool. Can you buy these anywhere? A mk does not exist in a junkyard around here.

[1990LTD]

gadget is this functionally similar to the trunk switch you described?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Mobilistics-Mercury-Tilt-Switch-Alarms-Lights-etc-/190385438976?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item2c53db4100

[87gtVIC]

I am not particularly sure of the Mk VII switches but that one you have pictures is quite nice. It ground through the screw you would use to hold it in place and the other wire is connected to constant power. Mercury tilts and you get the light to turn on.

[91grandmarquis]

Been a while since I read this, Those LED strips Ive been thinking about for under seat and under dash applications, if they are out of sight they look really good and apply even light.

[1990LTD]

so you're just running the circuit you'd create through the already grounded switch? neato. I'm gonna order a couple of 'em. I wonder how long one would last under the hood?

[gadget73]

gadget is this functionally similar to the trunk switch you described?


http://cgi.ebay.ca/Mobilistics-Mercu...item2c53db4100

Yes. The Mark VII switch is a simple mercury tilt switch with 2 wires.

[87gtVIC]

Holy crap I didnt even read the description of that thing you linked to. That one sends a ground out through the wire when the mercury is triggered. That has no light with it at all and is worthless unless you link it up with an alarm etc.

[1990LTD]

I'm not looking for something with a light in it, though. I want something to complete the circuit and trigger my light strips when the trunk opens.

[87gtVIC]

That would work then. I still say tapping into the existing wiring will be the easiest way.

[91grandmarquis]

If it's LED just tap into the current wiring, that is how I would do it. Again electrical is not my strong point.

[1990LTD]

That would work then. I still say tapping into the existing wiring will be the easiest way.

I did, that's why I need the switch. The light socket in my trunk has a tilt switch built in with constant 12v going to it, so anything else I hook up to it also has constant power

[91grandmarquis]

what about rigging up a door switch? Just an idear... Seems like that could work if it were placed in the gully were there is no carpet between outside of car and trunk. again I really don't know shit about electrical. It is a miracle the 3 guitars I re wired don't kill me.

[gadget73]

door switch would be harder to do. You'd have to make it hit the hinge or something. The tilt switch just needs a mounting screw, and it makes connection when you open the trunk. Theres probably a suitable factory hole that it could be mounted to. The switch won't handle much current, but LEDs don't draw much. If its a concern, have it operate a relay and put your load on that. The Mark VII runs 2 or 3 164 lamps from it's tilt switch.

[1990LTD]

I might relay it just for the hell of it, I have no idea what else I might want in there in future.


There are two holes that the current tilt light clips into, should be fine there. I won't need that switch anymore so I'll take 12v from there, I just gotta figure out what to use to adhere the light strips to the car. Thanks for the help gents.

Think it would handle a couple of led strips?

[87gtVIC]

I did, that's why I need the switch. The light socket in my trunk has a tilt switch built in with constant 12v going to it, so anything else I hook up to it also has constant power

thats right lol. One would have to solder wire onto the electrical contacts after the mercury switch to avoid the constant power but that is just silly.