Adding a light to console?

[Katfish]

Anyone add a light to the factory console?  Hard to see anything in there at night.  Similar to glovebox, it would come on when lights are on and the lid is opened.
Adding a light will be easy, not sure where a switch could be added to trigger when lid is opened.

[Jay Bee]

I like that idea, hope you pursue it.

Maybe look into "tilt switches" and MacGyver it into the lid. I believe they work like the old mercury filled ones but without mercury. Some have a ball and I read that some have another conductive thing inside them.

[Cuda Cody]

Could you just jumper off the wire that lights up the factory shifter?  While you could leave it on all the time while the lights are on (like the shifter light) it would not be hard to put a contact switch to turn it on when the console lid is opened.

[Katfish]

Could you just jumper off the wire that lights up the factory shifter?  While you could leave it on all the time while the lights are on (like the shifter light) it would not be hard to put a contact switch to turn it on when the console lid is opened.

That's the plan, tap off the shift light power.  Was concerned it may "bleed" out all the cracks if left on all the time.  But I may give that a try to see how it looks.  Contact switch location is the issue.  Side closest to driver is very thin, still thinking where/how to put that switch if it's needed.

[Jay Bee]

What I was getting at with the tilt switch was something like the picture. Only comes on when the lid is open. Maybe this is overthinking. Bulb placement should be such that contents don't cover it too.

[Katfish]

Not a bad idea, but I don't want any exposed wires.
Has to be invisible at first glance.

[ec_co]

Hidden reed switch?

https://www.affordableopeners.com/seco-larm-sm-4103-lq-w-nc-3-8-rare-earth-recessed-magnetic-contact.html

Or a door switch mounted to the inside, you could use 3M auto trim double sticky (the good stuff used for holding outside trim, it's got a great Bond. VHB=Very High Bond)) if you don't want to drill mounting holes

lkelyonewy Door Switch https://a.co/d/ehCUVrJ

https://a.co/d/45ErRtu

[Katfish]

Ok, did a little checking, and I don't think the switch is needed.  I put a huge Harbor Freight light in the console and couldn't see any light.
So now the issue is finding a flush mount light that won't interfere with my trunk release button.
Any ideas?

I'm OCD on symmetry, so I'd like to find something round and similar/same size that I can put under the release button.




 

[Katfish]

Ok, changing direction.  I tried the LED in the console, too bright.  I tried white and green LEDs (I kinda like green because it matches the instruments.
New plan is to find a lens similar to the glove box lens, then I need to find a way to mount a light behind that.
Pic is in completely dark garage.  Surprisingly, there's not enough light bleeding out to notice, when the lid's closed.  Pic makes it look worse than it is, but it is bright.

[torredcuda]

I just keep a small flash light in my glove box (I don`t have a console) or use my phone.

[Brads70]

Kinda fun to explore all the different options.... amazing what's available now as compared to 10-15 years ago....

https://www.ledperf.ca/stranded-green-led-12v-p-578.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222236955405?chn=ps&google_free_listing_action=view_item

https://leeselectronic.com/qc/product/17037-push-button-switch-on-off-10mm-green-spdt-12v-light.html

https://tbnation.net/products/innovative-lighting-led-bulkhead-livewell-light-flush-mount-green

[Katfish]

Dang you, I like the look of that 2nd one
I might just have to order 1 of those.
The green I found had a bad shape, and too bright.

[MoparCarGuy]

Can you mask the green light and paint a portion of it satin black to adjust the amount of light you want?

[Skdmark]

I would put a reflecter over it or go to a low level red light.

[tparker]

With a little bit of knowledge of wiring it should be easy. I wouldn't leave the light on all the time if it is an old fashion bulb. It will generate heat which might note bee desirable. An LED might be better for that case. I am sure there are several options for a little switch you can mount. It might be tricky to find one if you don't want to hack up any thing, but since you are thinking of adding a light anyways, that might not be a concern.

Maybe another option would be battery powred LED type light with a simple switch. Think of those BDay cards that start singing when you open them. That switch could turn on a light. I couldn't find an example easily but I am sure they are out there.