How to install LEDs in cargo area

[cx5-freestyle]

Hi everyone,

New to this so here goes.

The lighting in the cargo area is poor at best. The little "switch on" light is the same as I had in my 1989 323!!!.
I'd like to install a LED strip, either on the Inside of the liftgate or the Inside of the roof (more probable). Here is my question: How to connect this so that it lights on when opening the liftgate and shuts down when closing. The interior lighting (dome lights) does not go on when I open the liftgate, so there is no connection with the interior lighting. But I notice that the "door open" icon lights up in the dashbord. Noticed from another "post" that most of the electrical are in the interior back wheel well. Does someone have an idea on how to do this, I cannot be the only one finding this ridiculous...

Thanks in advance.

 

[squibcakes]

Probably the easiest is to use power from the rear ciggy power joint and get creative eg reed switch and the like.

 

[J-Chow]

You could also try replacing the Festoon bulb of that cargo light, to maybe an LED one?

 

[runtohell121]

Maybe try this LED? http://www.vleds.com/bulb/3175-31mm-led/5k-white-led/5k-3-led-adjustable-festoon.html

If you don't mind wiring showing, you could always get a festoon adapter for the LED strip wiring. Plug the adapter into the original cargo light spot and run the wire outside and stick the strip on the top. I've done it before on another car ('06 Civic) but just wires hanging out is a bit ugly.

 

[Nodnerb]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123831398-Spot-the-Lighting-Mod&highlight=Spot+the

Not sure if this may help or not.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Replacing the festoon bulb with a high power LED replacement in the hatch helps a good bit. I have an extra one if you'd like to buy it.

If you want to install a piggyback light in the rear, I would use the existing power of the rear hatch light and crimp it.

 

[cx5-freestyle]

Hi again, So heres how it played out :

After squibscake suggestion about the ciggy power, got me thinking. After some research, decided to go with LED strips and a mercury tilt switch (couldnt find other tilt switch), added a fuse, for safety.

So, 1 39 inch LED strip for the roof, and 2 -19 inches LED strip on each side underneath the wheel well. No wires showing, they all go inside the acces panels.

The Tilt switch is located in the liftgate on the right side, under the panel. The wire goes thru the rubber conduit with the windshield washer.
So aside from having to remove the liftgate panel, top part and right side (easy if you take your time), and pull on the roof and side material, nothing had to be remove.

Basically took one afternoon, working cautiously. Turned out even better than I expected. For under $100, Ill finally see something back there result of my old age .

Will make another mod.. add a rocker switch just in case I want to leave tbe liftgate open for a long period.

Oh and btw also replaced the puny horn with a pair of Sickspeed. Will no longer get laugh at or ignored
Here are some pics, if I can figure out how....

Thanks to all who helped on this, been on this for almost a year



Had to move the tilt switch on the right side because on top was too level and flashed when breaking.

 

[squeaky]

This looks like an interesting project
Couple quick questions
1) Where did you get the switch from? Online and perhaps a link?
2) Did you get your power from the backside of the rear cig outlet?

 

[cx5-freestyle]

Hi,

Switch, both mercury and rocker switch from eBay. Just search for "mercury tilt switch". Power comes from the cig outlet in the cargo area (rear bottom right), really easy to access, just disconnect the connector through the rear panel access. Did not want to play around with the "ECM?" module, so that way I am completely independant from the car electronics, I'm only using the 12v outlet...

A+

 

[squibcakes]

Nice one! I like the different colour LED too, warm light on the top and white on the sides. Hey show us some pics of the horn mod too eh?

 

[3ONBOOST]

i'm planning for a similar setup - increased lighting in the cargo space, as well as footwell and door edge lights.

if you look through the wiring guide in the workshop manual, you'll find the wires for the interior lights are on the rear bcm, which is located in the cargo area on the left hand side near the cargo light. bit of a b**** to get in there, but that's where the important wiring is. use that to preserve the factory switching for both interior and cargo area lighting.

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

CX5-FREESTYLE, thanks for the idea!

I just finished doing something based on your set-up --- I can finally see in the dark again.

I used a couple of LED strips from VLEDS. I don't have any wiring experience so I went with this https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned), https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned), and a https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned).

 

[V8toilet]

This is a good thread! Thanks for sharing.

 

[howlin4you]

View attachment 204106

That's sexy. I'm not sure I'll do the strip on top but the lower ones are definitely on my list of mods now. Thanks for the idea (nana)

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

Last post about this I swear! I just can't stop marveling at how incredible this mod is, here's the final result in pitch black.

 

[Mark12345]

Last post about this I swear! I just can't stop marveling at how incredible this mod is, here's the final result in pitch black.

Nice job! Can you take some pictures with the light off so I can see how your setup looks?? Hard to see with the lights on.

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

Nice job! Can you take some pictures with the light off so I can see how your setup looks?? Hard to see with the lights on.

Sure thing, we're under a tornado watch in the DC area, so I won't be able to take clear pics until tomorrow.

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

Nice job! Can you take some pictures with the light off so I can see how your setup looks?? Hard to see with the lights on.

The set-up is pretty simple, I mounted the tilt switch in the same location as CX-5FREESTYLE. There's a rat-nest of wires behind the outlet panel. I didn't bother trying to clean it, since everything is working fine I didn't want to jinx it by messing with it some more. Cable-management isn't my strong suit, my PC builds can prove that.

I did notice that two ends of two light strips were coming off, I used rubbing alcohol on the panels beforehand, but I fixed it by using https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). It's very thin so the whole strip still lies flush with the body trim.

 

[deepfriedsushi]

This is awesome. I did something like this to my Protege5, minus the overhead lights. However I was able to source the power from the existing trunk light, which acted as my switch.

With the CX5, I'm worried about dealing with the ECM module that seems to give people problems. But sourcing the power from the cig lighter and adding the mercury tilt switch would solve that. Genius!

For the LED strips from VLED, did they come with wires attached to them already? or did you have to configure that? The last time I ordered LED strips, I had to solder my own wires onto the LED strips and that was a pain in the butt. It would be great if they came with wires attached already.

With inspiration from you Stormtrooper, I'm planning on crimping into the cig lighter wires, rather than using the cig switch, add a small fuse (must figure out amps) and wire in the mercury switch. LED placement would mimic what you have. Seems nice to use the access panels to put the wires through. With my P5, I actually drilled holes into the panels.

 

[CX-5tormtrooper]

The VLED light strips do have wires attached, the ones in the picture.

I wish I had the technical experience to make the install cleaner and install a fuse but it'll do for now.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.