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04-05-2016, 01:53 PM | #21 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Sure, just wire it up that way. Just need to remember to turn it off!
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04-05-2016, 01:56 PM | #22 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Thanks JS. I was thinking if you remove the Mercury there would be a void that would need to be filled some how. I'll take mine apart and see what I can come up with. Will share if I get to work. Ideally I'd like to hook/connect to dome light
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04-05-2016, 02:01 PM | #23 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
The switch is inside the socket, and is a mercury (liquid metal) type, not to be confused with the car brand. The accessory under hood light is the same type. In many cases, the switch part has failed long ago Most just connect in the license plate lamp lead inside the trunk lid. The idea was to come on when the trunk lid or hood was opened. This could lead to a "parasitic" draw if the light stayed on, and many were connected directly to the license light wire so it would come on only when the lights were used. This accessory was probably devised to allow the dealer to get a bit more money when the postwar cars came out.
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04-05-2016, 02:31 PM | #24 | |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Quote:
Connecting to a different light source requires re-wiring. You have to run a wire from the one doing into the light switch/socket to the wanted power source. Last edited by JSeery; 04-05-2016 at 02:36 PM. |
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04-05-2016, 03:22 PM | #25 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
You can see that the mercury switch is like a glass fuse. Just wrap it in tin foil and reinstall and the circuit will be complete.
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04-05-2016, 03:29 PM | #26 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
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04-05-2016, 04:48 PM | #27 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Both good ideas, lots of ways to get there. The stock wiring is the tail lights and/or license plate light feed, so your ok there. That's what I would use. Starting in 46 it was wired into the dash lights, I don't see any advantage to that.
Last edited by JSeery; 04-05-2016 at 04:54 PM. |
04-05-2016, 04:58 PM | #28 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Yup can go either way. I like dome light for two reasons.
1) tail lights or plate light means trunk light is on whenever your driving at night 2) dome light you will see on and it will help us seniors to remember trunk is on too |
04-05-2016, 05:11 PM | #29 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
What I intended to say is I would use the tail/plate wire with a separate switch to turn the trunk light on and off (when the tail lights were on). If I was doing it and wanted to keep the look of the original lamp socket, I would find a mercury type of switch and place it out of sight so that it turned on when you opened the lid. A lot of different ways to accomplish that as well.
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04-05-2016, 07:54 PM | #30 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
I took the stock switch apart. Added in a metal spacer to fill the void of the mecury switch I removed. Tried it direct to battery it works.
While I like the dome light idea. I can't find a way to wire it in after the switch and to the trunk. My plan now is to run a new wire (unless someone has a better idea) from dash to trunk light with an inline switch under dash. |
04-05-2016, 08:04 PM | #31 | |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Quote:
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04-05-2016, 10:44 PM | #32 | |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Quote:
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04-06-2016, 05:17 AM | #33 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
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04-06-2016, 11:13 PM | #34 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Ok, figured it out. 20 yrs ago I disassembled the trunk light because it didn't operate. I "thought" the mercury switch was a fuse and was no good, as I checked it with a meter,so I reassembled the parts to make the bulb light. Dummy me I should have tipped it to operate the switch. I believe it's still in my garage somewhere and will try it again. Like the idea of powering with the interior lights. Thanks guys
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04-06-2016, 11:41 PM | #35 | |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Quote:
This is my electric backup fuel pump switch on the left that lights the red LED and the fog light switch that lights the yellow LED. From the driving position you don't see the switch, just the light. The green LED right of the steering column reminds me to turn off the kill switch relay when I turn the engine off. LED is from Radio Shack. https://www.radioshack.com/products/...ant=5717557253 They're called 12 volt but work with 6 volts. So is the switch. https://www.radioshack.com/products/...ant=5717516293 The small LED lights can be stuck anywhere you want with this: Don't laugh. It works. It is hardly visible and never comes loose nor falls down, unless you want to relocate it like I did the pump light from the second picture to the first one when I added the fog light LED. Then it's easily detached and moved.
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Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness Last edited by Old Henry; 04-07-2016 at 12:21 AM. |
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04-07-2016, 12:11 AM | #36 | |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
Quote:
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Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness |
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05-14-2019, 02:09 PM | #37 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
I have a Mercury switch in my 47 monarch not working but yes lights have to be on my
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05-14-2019, 04:49 PM | #38 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
I carry a battery powered LED lamp with a magnetic base in the spare parts box in the trunk. Pop it on when needed in the trunk or anywhere else. Easier and more effective than running wire and jury rigged switch.
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05-15-2019, 01:55 PM | #39 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
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05-16-2019, 02:11 PM | #40 |
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Re: '41 ford trunk compartment light
My trunk light in my 47 sedan was not working. From the wiring diagram I see that it gets it power from the tail lamp circuit. I found the Mercury switch was defective. I would like to rebuild the stock unit if possible. Later model Fords and GM used a similar Mercury switch. I have one from a 1997. It has a similar cylinder in it. I think that this could be re-used in our original bracket. Another project that is on my to do list. I have never posted pix here but will give it a try. (hope it works) - Bob
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