Frunk Light

[Fuzzy]

Ordered one of these "Top Lites" this morning for a light in the Frunk. Already received shipping notification.

This Top Lite™ model mounts to the underside of your trunk lid using the provided double sided adhesive foam tape. The tilt sensitive switch inside the light turns the light on when the trunk lid opens, and turns it off when the lid closes.

- Four bright LED lamps
- Non-mercury tilt sensitive switch (Auto on/off switch). User adjustable on/off point. Instructions included or see link to our video on this page.
- Manual off switch allows light to be turned off when trunk is open for extended periods.
- Uses three AAA batteries (Not included)
- Battery life: About 12 months or more in normal operation.[/

web Page here: Motorcycle trunk light installation

$25 plus $5 shipping from Arizona.

Of course like the refrigerator, how do you know the light goes out when you close it?

Will post more with pictures when received.

 

[bduffey]

What's the thickness of it? Seems like it might take up some helmet space? I like the idea of a lighted frunk though.

 

[Fuzzy]

3/4" thick.

Could impact helmet space but I have never thought about putting a helmet in my Frunk. Too many other things in there.

Besides if I was using it for a helmet I wouldn't need a light to find it.

 

[elizilla]

I'd be afraid that anything that uses AAA batteries and mounts to a hard spot on the bike, that the spring clips used to hold the battery would rattle to death in short order. You'll have to let us know how it holds up. At least the install should be easy.

 

[Old Can Ride]

Ordered one of these "Top Lites" this morning for a light in the Frunk. Already received shipping notification.

My frunk is for my junk. Put it all in an old helmet bag, and pull out every thing at once if I need something. The small flash light is in the helmet bag, this way if can find what ever junk I need from the frunk.

 

[Fuzzy]

I'd be afraid that anything that uses AAA batteries and mounts to a hard spot on the bike, that the spring clips used to hold the battery would rattle to death in short order. You'll have to let us know how it holds up. At least the install should be easy.

legitimate concern and I will let you know. if it getsvhere itvwill have 1000 miles on it by the time I get back from Bike Week. They are specifically marketed for motorcycles so hopefully this is not a problem. I originally learned about them in a motorcycle magazine, I think Road Runner.

 

[CorEnFa]

Just a thought -

For about $5 in parts from radio shack, you could have wired in a flat mount LED with a resistor and a reverse momentary switch. It would take up no space at all, wouldn't rely on batteries (other than the big guy in front of the frunk), and would earn SERIOUS coolness points.

 

[agia]

Just a thought -

For about $5 in parts from radio shack, you could have wired in a flat mount LED with a resistor and a reverse momentary switch. It would take up no space at all, wouldn't rely on batteries (other than the big guy in front of the frunk), and would earn SERIOUS coolness points.

Skip the resistor and use something like this:


These run off 12 VDC, throw off a lot of light, draw about 45 mA of current, and one could use a magnetic reed switch to turn it on and off. These are pretty small. I use a red one as an auxiliary brake light.

Even simpler:

 

[Fuzzy]

Just a thought -

For about $5 in parts from radio shack, you could have wired in a flat mount LED with a resistor and a reverse momentary switch. It would take up no space at all, wouldn't rely on batteries (other than the big guy in front of the frunk), and would earn SERIOUS coolness points.

Guess I am paying $25 extra for plug and play or in this case stick and play. i.e. no wiring and no electrical design such as selecting resistor. If it works I'm happy.

 

[danrev]

My helmet just barely fits in the Frunk so this is not a possibility for me. But it looks like it will be helpful for those who use the Frunk to store other things. I'm thinking if I ever do need a light for the Frunk I'll just use one of those LED lights that attach to the terminals of a 9 volt battery. They throw off a lot of light and are very compact.

 

[CorEnFa]

Skip the resistor and use something like this:

View attachment 11495
These run off 12 VDC, throw off a lot of light, draw about 45 mA of current, and one could use a magnetic reed switch to turn it on and off. These are pretty small. I use a red one as an auxiliary brake light.

Even simpler:

View attachment 11496

Sir - I like the way you think.

And you could easily fit that in the frunk with a large brain bucket too.

 

[agia]

I was just thinking out loud. I haven't done this myself but I really like these LEDs. I retrofitted all the incandescent bulbs inside my toy hauler with 4 chip versions of these LEDs. Very bright and low current draw.

 

[CorEnFa]

Which brand are those?

 

[agia]

They are sold at Fry's Electronics under the generic Philmore brand label. You have a Fry's in Renton. I don't know who the OEM is. Otherwise, you can order very similar stuff from LED Lights, Bulbs & LED Lighting Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS

Here's a pic (both on and off) of the 4 LED version that I put into a Harbor Freight Battery Jump (replacing the incandescent bulb).

 

[CorEnFa]

They are sold at Fry's Electronics under the generic Philmore brand label. You have a Fry's in Renton. I don't know who the OEM is. Otherwise, you can order very similar stuff from LED Lights, Bulbs & LED Lighting Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS

Here's a pic (both on and off) of the 4 LED version that I put into a Harbor Freight Battery Jump (replacing the incandescent bulb).

Schweet!
Fry's tomorrow on my lunch break!

I've seen lots of different stores that sell integrated 12v LEDs. It's always nice though to get a first hand accounting on their quality though. Otherwise, I just bust out the shrink tubing and soldering iron and head over to radio shack for a nickel and dime circuit drawer panty raid.

 

[L.B.S.]

I wonder if there would be any merit to using red led's instead of the bright white ones, for an inside the trunk light source?

Unless they are shielded from direct view, I find the average fairly powerful white ones to be rather dazzling, and if you needed a light to see inside the trunk, well I would assume it was dark out, and having your night vision sucker punched by some searing white led's, sucks, lol.

On my last camping trip I accidently got an eyeful of my 4sevens flashlight whilst poking about in the trunk one night, (humourous cartoon picture of LBS peering down the barrel of a shotgun and smacking it, wondering why it won't fire lol) and I was knackered for a long time before I could continue to see straight.

 

[CorEnFa]

Sure. Green, Red, or even amber might be useful. In fact, amber would probably be best. Of course, you don't have to go for the ultra bright ones either. But what fun is that? I mean, if you can't signal incoming aircraft, blind would-be attackers, or get a suntan from it, it ain't worth installing.

 

[L.B.S.]

Sure. Green, Red, or even amber might be useful. In fact, amber would probably be best. Of course, you don't have to go for the ultra bright ones either. But what fun is that? I mean, if you can't signal incoming aircraft, blind would-be attackers, or get a suntan from it, it ain't worth installing.

As long as I don't attract UFO's and get probed, it's all good.

 

[agia]

CorEnFa -- See this link for the three and four LED modules: Fry's Electronics |

I have some blue and green inside my trailer too -- mood lights...

 

[Fuzzy]

I wonder if there would be any merit to using red led's instead of the bright white ones, for an inside the trunk light source?

Red lights were standard in the Navy at night. Red won't cause your pupils to contract and affect your night vision.