It is currently Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:19 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Switched interior lights
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:48 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:32 am
Posts: 3100
Location: Philadelphia, PA
When camping I like to turn off the interior lights using the stalk near the steering wheel. This prevents the interior lights from running a long time and draining the battery when I have the tailgate open. Battery life is important to me because I have an inverter I use to charge electronics like my GPS, camera, and phone. Not to mention I want the Jeep to start up the next day!

One annoying thing about turning the interior lights off up front is that I can't see anything in the trunk after dark. In my previous Jeep, an XJ Cherokee, the trunk light had a push-up switch to turn it on manually. I miss that feature in my KK, so I rigged up a light switch this afternoon.

Image

The circuit schematic goes like this:
Battery + to my homemade fuse panel under the dash.
20 A fuse on the line to the rear, which powers the inverter, trailer wiring harness, and now my light switch.
+ wire to Switch
Switch to yellow + wire going into rear overhead light.
Light to battery using OEM ground wire (- black).

When my switch is in the off position: all overhead lights behave normally.
When my switch is in the on position: all overhead lights go on regardless of input from doors, driver, etc.

Now when I'm camping and need to find something in the trunk at night-- flip the switch and there is light!

One quick question for you KK electrical gurus:
The interior lights shine a bit brighter when powered by my switch than they do when the Jeep's open doors turn them on. They also get hotter, I think. Does the OEM wiring diagram contain a resistor to make the lights dimmer than they would be at 12V? The last thing I want to do is start a fire! Thanks for your input.

_________________
2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Image
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof Rack

M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


Last edited by lfhoward on Mon Sep 24, 2018 11:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Switched interior lights
PostPosted: Sat Nov 07, 2015 1:20 am 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:32 am
Posts: 3100
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Two year update: the DIY dome light switch has been a very helpful mod on many occasions. Sometimes if I am loading or unloading lots of stuff at night, the Jeep will turn the dome lights off after a while (because it thinks I forgot about it and will try save the battery). It is nice to be able to keep the lights on consistently while I am working, without having to close the tailgate and reopen it. One caution is not to forget to turn the lights off when you're finished! (ask me how I know). :-)r

_________________
2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Image
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof Rack

M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group. Color scheme by ColorizeIt!
Logo by pixeldecals.com