ok back from a drive... once the vx was at temperature... the radiator hoses where my lights sit when the hood is closed were between 170-185*F... the under side of the hood even before starting up the vx was at 107* just from sitting outside and its not even all that sunny... but after about 10 minutes of driving the under side of the hood was at 145* so i guess it would be okay just barely!

techy... not sure but are you saying i should make the hood my positive?? as soon as hood closed the hood release lever would ground the hood to the rest of the body.. aka sparks and badness... and i dont think u could put a pin switch on the underside of the hood.. not enough depth