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LED-backed Lower Rear Red Reflectors

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by Air_Boss, Jul 4, 2014.

  1. Michael Leary

    Michael Leary Junior Member

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    Five
    They came.Thank you so much.
    now for the wires.
     
  2. richwiller

    richwiller Junior Member

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    2015 Prius v wagon
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    III
    So far I am using the tap from the Aux power outlet which is easily accessed by simply pulling the corner panel out from the main side panel. There are no snaps just slides that hold the Aux power receptacle section in place. A simple plastic pry or similar thin tool will do the trick and now you have access to the 12 volt on with vehicle with out need to go up front to the drl circuit. The low side or White wire is pretty dim during the day so I will use both for drl which I would have thought to have been a better choice for the tail and marker lamp circuit but I guess the DOT hasn't got to the rear yet.
     
  3. DidIJustBuyAPrius?!?

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    Four
    Hi Everyone,
    I have been looking at this thread for a while now and just last weekend I set out to install these bad boys on my v. I quickly realized there were many different ways to set this up and I wanted to get a little clarity before cutting in to the wires. I have inserted 2 photographs to this post in hopes that you can help me identify which wires to tap.
    I should probably state that I wish for these to only serve as brake lights. When I am not depressing the brake pedal I dont want these to shine. I'd like to keep it as street legal as possible.
    So in the two pictures are all the wires coming out of my taillights. I can only assume the "top" wires, connected to the housing unit are the ones I want to tap. However I see two wires coming out of there. A white one with black stripe and a green one with (orange?) stripe. Sorry I'm colorblind.
    Why are there 2 wires? Is one + and one Ground? Which one is which? Does anyone know the size of the wire? I have 22awg positaps will that be too small?

    Any help is appreciated.
    Thanks,
     

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  4. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    See posts 25, 31, 60, earlier in this thread.
     
  5. Eric "v"

    Eric "v" Member

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    Model:
    Two
    Gentlemen,

    Let me say here that I DO NOT RECOMMEND routing your LED bumper light wiring the way SmellyTofu and tanasit have done, under the trunk door seal. I showed ST's photos to my professional installer (a guy who regularly works on Ferrari La Ferraris, Porsche 918s, McLarens etc.).

    He said going down outside and back up thru the OEM rubber plug (replaced with a rubber grommet) is the professional way with no danger of crushing the wires in the trunk seal. He protected the outside section of the wires with flexible plastic wiring "conduit".
     
  6. SmellyTofu

    SmellyTofu Average punter

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    You want to do it the right way, then find a replacement rubber plug that accommodates wiring to eliminate water and dust ingress. Even scotch locking is not recommended so don't do that either. Having worked in Toyota accessories department developing genuine accessories means doing things the OTT way that completely eliminates any possibility of some numpty 1st year apprentice stuffing things up and sneaky owners trying to break it to then claim warranty. Toyota Japan accessories department would certainly reject the ideal of wiring directly to the combi lamps as the LED wiring is too thin to support any additional load so if this was every a genuine option, so a relay+fuse would be specified. Then add cable ties to prevent wiring rattling the bumper cavity. I hope you get the point but yeah, do what makes you sleep well at night and I didn't recommend my method as being the best way but it's what works for me.
     
  7. Ben2jz

    Ben2jz Junior Member

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    You can drop the bumper, loosen up the tail light and wire straight up to the tail light panel. Below put the extra wires in a wire loom (about $5) so it's protected from dirt and whatever crap you run across. Can be done in 30 minute. Safest way possible.

    image.jpg
     
  8. Michael Leary

    Michael Leary Junior Member

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    Damn-six frick'n brake lights and the woman still ran into me! My special bumper, lights and smashed left tail light.
     
    xliderider likes this.
  9. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    Three
    Yeah some folks just are not paying attention. Something similar happened to us after we had our car only a few weeks. Not as bad as what your collision sounds like but bad enough...

    I feel your pain...
     
  10. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I don't think the red lights against red body contrast helps people detect the brake lights are on. My one accident in the last 20+ years was against a red truck that was stopped and I didn't pick that up until too late.