Improving the Boot Light and License Plate Bulbs
- Thread starter daveg
- Start date
Any updates for pics of the back yet 
OK how much to build me a set and ship to Canada? Thanks
Using similar bits to the license bulbs I decided to upgrade the boot light as the stock one is crap. Parts required:
1 x Thin 30 SMD LED Strip
1 x 4x21 Hole Vero-Board
1 x Rectifier Diode
1 x Optional in-line connector
Again the diode was there to protect the LED strip from blowing if it is connected the wrong way round.
To start make a little 501 sized plug to go into the original light housing, with a diode and track break. Connect this to the LED strip with a suitable length of wire. I used an in-line connector for ease of installation and removal. I also used some heat-shrink to keep the two wires neatly together.
The LED strip was held in place under the lip on the top of the boot 'entrance' using a hot glue gun. The wire is then routed down the metal lip, past the control to lower/raise the extra boot space and behind the carpet to the original bulb housing. The wires and LEDs are completely hidden. I love using hot-melt glue as it's not messy, sets quick and can be simply peeled off at a later date if needed. Quite hard to take a photo but this should give the idea:
The hot-melt glue wasn't applied too well and looks a little messy but fine by me since it can't be seen. Some before and after photos:
Much better - can finally see where things are in the boot now!
1 x Thin 30 SMD LED Strip
1 x 4x21 Hole Vero-Board
1 x Rectifier Diode
1 x Optional in-line connector
Again the diode was there to protect the LED strip from blowing if it is connected the wrong way round.
To start make a little 501 sized plug to go into the original light housing, with a diode and track break. Connect this to the LED strip with a suitable length of wire. I used an in-line connector for ease of installation and removal. I also used some heat-shrink to keep the two wires neatly together.
The LED strip was held in place under the lip on the top of the boot 'entrance' using a hot glue gun. The wire is then routed down the metal lip, past the control to lower/raise the extra boot space and behind the carpet to the original bulb housing. The wires and LEDs are completely hidden. I love using hot-melt glue as it's not messy, sets quick and can be simply peeled off at a later date if needed. Quite hard to take a photo but this should give the idea:
The hot-melt glue wasn't applied too well and looks a little messy but fine by me since it can't be seen. Some before and after photos:
Much better - can finally see where things are in the boot now!
daveg said:Using similar bits to the license bulbs I decided to upgrade the boot light as the stock one is crap. Parts required:
1 x Thin 30 SMD LED Strip
1 x 4x21 Hole Vero-Board
1 x Rectifier Diode
1 x Optional in-line connector
Again the diode was there to protect the LED strip from blowing if it is connected the wrong way round.
To start make a little 501 sized plug to go into the original light housing, with a diode and track break. Connect this to the LED strip with a suitable length of wire. I used an in-line connector for ease of installation and removal. I also used some heat-shrink to keep the two wires neatly together.
The LED strip was held in place under the lip on the top of the boot 'entrance' using a hot glue gun. The wire is then routed down the metal lip, past the control to lower/raise the extra boot space and behind the carpet to the original bulb housing. The wires and LEDs are completely hidden. I love using hot glue as it's not messy, sets quick and can be simply peeled off at a later date if needed. Some before and after photos:
Much better - can finally see where things are in the boot now!
these are things a lot of us would like to do, please can you show more detail of how the diode is connected to the lug so we can diy thanks
