External Backup Signal

Charles Suitt · 09-07-2006, 03:34 PM

<_< Nearly backed up into my wife ...

Has anyone installed an auxiliary external backup alarm on their Prius? J.C.Whitney (see link below) has two inexpensive products:

1) Backup bulb with alarm $19.99. Has one review indicating rapid failure and does not specifically list the Prius bulb as a replacement (Prius says: #7440 bulb - 21 watts - type D).

2) Backup Alarm with flashing light $9.99 which attaches to the lower rear license plate screws. No reviews available on this one.

They also list other more-complex alarms.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/...0000492/c-10101

I have disabled the interior backup buzzer.

Wife is not happy about being nearly backed into... Would definitely be to my advantage to install an external backup alarm.

aaf709 · 09-07-2006, 03:44 PM

I know that Godiva as done that. She posted the instructions (largely attaching the wires to the backup lights on the left side), but I don't know where that is.

**efusco** · 09-07-2006, 03:51 PM

I've done one too...there's a pretty detailed article or post floating around here somewhere describing how to do it.

The blub option won't work for prius since it uses LED tail lights.

I installed a talking alert that annoys my wife, amuses my kids, is obnoxious as hell, and make me smile every time I back up! I was torn b/w that one (Attention please, this car is backing up), and one that sounds like a locomotive...!

BTW, it's quite easy to do.

Charles Suitt · 09-07-2006, 03:55 PM

<_< Thanks Dr. Fusco.... however...

My Owner's Manual lists the Prius backup light as: #7440 bulb - 21 watt - Type D. Manual illustration looks like a standard type bulb. Is that indeed an LED?

**efusco** · 09-07-2006, 03:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Sep 7 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]315878[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

<_< Thanks Dr. Fusco.... however...

My Owner's Manual lists the Prius backup light as: #7440 bulb - 21 watt - Type D. Manual illustration looks like a standard type bulb. Is that indeed an LED? [/b]

Hmmm, maybe I'm thinking of the tail lights.... In any case, I searched extensively and even called J.C. Whittney looking for a replacement back-up bulb and there was not one available. It's been around a year or so, so that could have changed by now.

B Rad · 09-07-2006, 04:37 PM

[quote]
<_< Nearly backed up into my wife ...
Has anyone installed an auxiliary external backup alarm on their Prius?

I installed a beeper from Radio Shack by following the instuctions in this thread
http://priuschat.com/index.php?autocom=art...ticle&id=13
Since I still thought it was to loud, I wraped the buzzer in some foam. You can experiment with the wrapping until you have the perfect noise level !!!!

Frank Hudon · 09-07-2006, 05:25 PM

LPM ( Lift Parts Manufacture ) makes two different ones, one is 104 decibles and the high noise enviroment one is 135 decibles. I've installed that one several times and whey I check it I always use ear puffs and ear muffs. I can tell you that no one will stand behind your car. Your neighbours might take a shot at you but it's effective in clearing the area behind your car. Your local forklift dealer can get them for you.

Charles Suitt · 09-07-2006, 07:12 PM

Hi B Rad...

The DIY with RadioShack parts procedure sounds great. Minimal wiring - audible from inside and outside - modification concealed. If I make this mod, I'll report results in this Forum. Can't help but wonder the results if I left the built-in reverse buzzer working. It is currently disabled but an interruption in the 12v circuit (as in disconnecting the 12v auxiliary battery) would re-enable it.

Now, I'll ask my Service Ass't Manager how it might affect my Warranty. He's a friendly guy very familiar with the Prius and its peculiarities and I see him early tomorrow for the upper glove box repair.

THANKS for the link.

Dr Fusco - Thanks for your response. You're probably right on the replacement backup lightbulb. Also, it received a bad review... didn't last very long.

09-07-2006, 03:34 PM	#1
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< Nearly backed up into my wife ... Has anyone installed an auxiliary external backup alarm on their Prius? J.C.Whitney (see link below) has two inexpensive products: 1) Backup bulb with alarm $19.99. Has one review indicating rapid failure and does not specifically list the Prius bulb as a replacement (Prius says: #7440 bulb - 21 watts - type D). 2) Backup Alarm with flashing light $9.99 which attaches to the lower rear license plate screws. No reviews available on this one. They also list other more-complex alarms. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/...0000492/c-10101 I have disabled the interior backup buzzer. Wife is not happy about being nearly backed into... Would definitely be to my advantage to install an external backup alarm. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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09-07-2006, 03:44 PM	#2
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I know that Godiva as done that. She posted the instructions (largely attaching the wires to the backup lights on the left side), but I don't know where that is.

09-07-2006, 03:51 PM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,207 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	I've done one too...there's a pretty detailed article or post floating around here somewhere describing how to do it. The blub option won't work for prius since it uses LED tail lights. I installed a talking alert that annoys my wife, amuses my kids, is obnoxious as hell, and make me smile every time I back up! I was torn b/w that one (Attention please, this car is backing up), and one that sounds like a locomotive...! BTW, it's quite easy to do.

09-07-2006, 03:55 PM	#4
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< Thanks Dr. Fusco.... however... My Owner's Manual lists the Prius backup light as: #7440 bulb - 21 watt - Type D. Manual illustration looks like a standard type bulb. Is that indeed an LED?

09-07-2006, 04:37 PM	#6
B Rad Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 295 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[quote] <_< Nearly backed up into my wife ... Has anyone installed an auxiliary external backup alarm on their Prius? I installed a beeper from Radio Shack by following the instuctions in this thread http://priuschat.com/index.php?autocom=art...ticle&id=13 Since I still thought it was to loud, I wraped the buzzer in some foam. You can experiment with the wrapping until you have the perfect noise level !!!!

09-07-2006, 05:25 PM	#7
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	LPM ( Lift Parts Manufacture ) makes two different ones, one is 104 decibles and the high noise enviroment one is 135 decibles. I've installed that one several times and whey I check it I always use ear puffs and ear muffs. I can tell you that no one will stand behind your car. Your neighbours might take a shot at you but it's effective in clearing the area behind your car. Your local forklift dealer can get them for you.

09-07-2006, 07:12 PM	#8
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi B Rad... The DIY with RadioShack parts procedure sounds great. Minimal wiring - audible from inside and outside - modification concealed. If I make this mod, I'll report results in this Forum. Can't help but wonder the results if I left the built-in reverse buzzer working. It is currently disabled but an interruption in the 12v circuit (as in disconnecting the 12v auxiliary battery) would re-enable it. Now, I'll ask my Service Ass't Manager how it might affect my Warranty. He's a friendly guy very familiar with the Prius and its peculiarities and I see him early tomorrow for the upper glove box repair. THANKS for the link. Dr Fusco - Thanks for your response. You're probably right on the replacement backup lightbulb. Also, it received a bad review... didn't last very long.