LED Lighting **IN** Trunk

[Foozle]

06-09

Guys (and gals):

Rather than fumbling for a flashlight on dark nights, I'm thinking of affixing an LED strip light around the interior of my I/S trunk - which can then be operated by a switch atop the front brake master cylinder (the switch isn't ideally located for this application, but it's conveniently available).

Q:  Where is the best (i.e., least invasive) access to the trunk to run a thin (18-22 gauge) wire?  I'm thinking of drilling a small hole in one of the thick rubber mounting grommets that secure the trunk to the rails - but am uncertain if there's room for this.  Obviously, I'm hoping NOT to have to alter the trunk itself - and would prefer to disassemble as little as possible.

I realize this isn't rocket surgery, but I'd love to benefit from someone who may have already thought this through.  Any comments would be appreciated.

Terry

[Dusty]

Undo the screws that hold the right taillight. They are inside the trunk. use a piece of wire to feed through the hole in the bottom of the trunk where your brake light wires go through. Push the wire in towards the taillight hole. Once you  have the wire  at the taillight you can attach power wires and feed to the taillight. drill a hole in the inner trunk where you are  mounting the light.

Dusty

[JimC]

Here is what I used, simple and cheap.Double sided hook and loop tape holds it to the lid. $4.00 at harbor freight
Jim

[Foozle]

06-09

Thanks, fellas - I like (and appreciate) both suggestions.

Terry

[John Schmidt]

I like Jim C's idea, what I did with my '92 Wing was added a battery operated LED light with a mercury switch built in. When you opened the lid it turned on, close it and the light went off. No need to drill holes anywhere, just double stick taped it inside the lid. Battery lasted years.

[Jims99]

I put a small tape light strip on both bikes. I drilled a small hole just under the top shock mount. The wires run through and under the chrome bracket and under seat. I have small weather proof plugs for disconnecting bags. I put E6000 glue around where wire went through and glued wires along inside. All weather proof and out of sight.  I also have running and turn wires run into bags also. Top trunk I pulled a wire through the factory loom. I hooked them to my LED ground effect lights. They are on whenever I have the bike lite up. No extra switches and they don’t draw enough power to worry about. Now if out at night I can see everything when I open a bag.

[Grandpot]

I put a 12V accessory socket in the trunk.   Connected it directly to the battery with a fuse so it would be hot all the time.  I use it to charge my cell phone and air compressor.   I then tapped off of it to a switch and LED light strip.