Tailgate mounted aux light

[UptownVibe]

Basically, I got one of these:WOLO FL-95: http://www.wolo-mfg.com/fl-95.jpg...to mount (I wish I had a pic) on the indoor side of the tailgate door of a 2003 Base Vibe.Why? So I can stand under my tailgate and see the ground and use the rear as a shelf, to go through bags, change my pants, whatever I might want to do under the open tailgate while standing (I'm short enough to clear it).It might also make a good nightlight when the tailgate is closed and I'm laying down in the back (I told u I'm short )SO, I'm planning on mounting it on the little pop out panel that is over the licence plate and wiring it to ground on some screw I can find and taking the +positive to the licence plate light. BUT I'm not sure that's going to work because those power sources are switched by the ignition and then the headlights (I think...) I want to be able to use the light independent from the headlights (definitely) and the ignition (pretty please!).Any suggestions? Please stear me in the right direction

[keithvibe]

first you do know you have a dome light in the back of the vibe right? Second I would wire it to the dome light because it has and on/door/off switch.

[joatmon]

hooking it to the dome light is a good idea. there's no constant 12V in the hatch to pick up, so you'll have to snake a wire in anywayif you really wanted it to be switched locally only, not via the dome light control, you could connect 12V to the dome, and pick a ground from the chassis somewhere. (The dome lights get constant 12V and use a switched ground to turn them on and off.) Or you could get a three position switch, (an on/off/on) and hook the 12V from the dome light to the new light unswitched, and use the switch to connect ground for the new light to either the dome light ground, nothing, or chassis ground. That way you could have the new light come on with the dome lights, force it to be off, or force it to be on. The WOLO web site doesn't list any specifications for any of their products, don't say how much current they draw. but at least the DOME fuse is in the under hood fuse block, a lot easier to get to than the under dash fuse block if you need to replace a blown fuse.

[UptownVibe]

Joat - There is no current draw info on the package... It is a rinky-dink prodect so, i assume it is quite low. Your suggestion about going to the dome light sound pretty good and much esier than going all the way to the fuse box (LOL) as the package suggests. The light has a simple off and on switch built in, and I anticipate that I will only be using it when I am either in the back of the car or standing at the rear, so an extra switch wouldnt do me anything except for allowing me the option of having it run off the door sensors (right?). The light is for special circumstances, not for everytime I come in and out the car (try checking your dog for ticks with the factory dome light some day, LOL)...I think this could be the key to solving my prob...Quote, originally posted by joatmon »"if you really wanted it to be switched locally only, not via the dome light control, you could connect 12V to the dome, and pick a ground from the chassis somewhere. (The dome lights get constant 12V and use a switched ground to turn them on and off.)" Once I get up there to the lights, what are the wire colors involved?Thanks Joat! In all the years I've been lurking on Genvibe you have inspired me to do more projects than anyone (one push moonroof, horn wiring suggestions, and that old post on making your own headlight harnesses. Thanks man!!! Keith - The dome light doen't allow me to see outside at all. If I get back to my car after doing whatever outdoor activity I may have been involved with that day, I want to be able to open up the tailgate, sit down, change my clothes, and organize my pack (trash, wetstuff, thimgs that stay in the car vs. go home) Which involved being able to see the ground, "Did I drop anything?". The dome light isnt enough to see whats inside a backpack when its sitting on the bumper, IMHOANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS BEFORE I GO INTO VIBE ATTACK MODE?

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by UptownVibe »Once I get up there to the lights, what are the wire colors involved?The diagram I have shows 12V is blue with a white stripe, switched ground is red with a yellow stripeQuote, originally posted by UptownVibe »... horn wiring suggestions, and that old post on making your own headlight harnesses. ...I don't remember those

Attached files 021il.pdf (50.6 KB)