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Lift back interior light

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Gregory Cotter, Oct 24, 2019.

  1. Gregory Cotter

    Gregory Cotter New Member

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    Hello, I just picked up a new 2019 Prius. I want to install a light in the rear cargo area. There is presently a black cover that can be removed with a small screwdriver. It would be the perfect place for a light. I could use a battery powered dome style LED light and just stick it on. But it would be great to have it hard wired so it turns on when a door is opened or independently. Has anyone ever done this before?? 20191024_125614.jpg 20191024_130043.jpg 20191024_130152.jpg
     
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  2. The Professor

    The Professor Senior Member

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    Just in case you didn't know, that is the cover that goes over the emergency release. I can't say that I've ever needed to open it from the inside of the vehicle, but that's what it's there for.

    Is there not already a light on the left of the cargo area?

    If not, is there not a cover that's meant for one?
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    most people put a big led strip light on the lower portion of the inside hatch door. not sure if there is a live wire in there, or if the car has to be on
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    All you need to do is splice into an existing wire that powers an interior light and then run that wire through the same path that all the other wires travel to the back of the hatch in and then bolt the negative wire to the body and you're done. Happy wire fishing!
     
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Mine has got a light. Left side I think.
     
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  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    More to the point, a good way to go about this is to buy a new/used cover and take your time building a really solid bluetooth controlled full spectrum every color in the rainbow kind of light w/USB port and then when it 's perfect you simply swap panels and connect the wires. :) That way whenever that hatch goes up, the dance party begins!!!
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Oct 25, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2019
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  7. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    That would be the perfect place for a darkroom (red) light for a telescope field, work-station that I am designing for my Prius Camper. I have been trying to figure out how I was going to do this, and I think you just gave me the solution:

    Modify or clip an LED light fixture (or LED array) to the panel itself, and splice it into the existing cargo light wiring - switched 12vdc (citiprius mod). For my application I would need two LED lights (one red and one white) with an additional switch to select between the two. For your application, you just need a single white bulb fixture with no additional switch. I would also install a captive chain to so that when you had to remove the panel to use the emergency release, the panel would remain attached to the hatchback, hanging from the trim by the chain (instead of hanging by the wires). You could also use the modified panel as a captive flashlight in the event that you need to access the emergency release in the dark. Care would be needed so that you didn't accidentally crush the modified panel when closing the hatch. I would also enclose the light fixture for the modified panel in a plastic housing and use braided sleeving to protect the 12vdc/gnd wires and prevent accidental shorts. The chain and wiring would be all internal to the trim so that it would not be visible when the panel was in place. If you use a fixture that is integral to the panel, you would need to ensure that the bulb fixture and wiring doesn't interfere with the internal trim structure and emergency release mechanism.

    That's the only problem that I can see: You would want to be careful to ensure that any wiring/chain does not interfere with access to the emergency release. The rest should be fairly straight forward.

    Thanx for the idea!
     
  8. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    After reviewing your photos, I don't think a light fixture integral to the panel is possible (there is not enough room behind the panel). Any light fixture would have to be mounted externally to the panel. You could probably run a sleeved 12vdc/gnd wire pair through one of the lower square clip holes and route it away from any release mechanism(s) - securing with tie-wraps. I would also use a modular connector so that the 12vdc/gnd wires could be disconnected.
     
  9. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    Even better! (y)
     
  10. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    And it's a miserable old-school incandescent light bulb in it.

    I just changed my bulb out for a LED one, and probably got about twice the light output - which sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. The OEM incandescent bulb was so dim that twice the light is still not really a satisfying amount of light to work by in the dark.

    The site I used to reference the light bulb also listed the door and map lights being the same bulb, so I ordered two more (driver's side door, and driver's side map light), but I haven't yet figured out how to open either of those lights up yet. I'm guessing they are pry-to-open as well, but they are so tight that I don't want to do it wrong.

    [​IMG]
     
    #10 Mambo Dave, Nov 13, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2019
  11. Chazman62

    Chazman62 Member

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    Incandescent light bulb in Gen 4 Prius?!!!
     
  12. Griogarach

    Griogarach New Member

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    I saw an LED light that fits into the space where that blank plate sits on Amazon Japan.

    I am fairly sure the same one is available in the Priuschat shop in the 2016 section.
     
  13. Griogarach

    Griogarach New Member

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  14. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    Nice. I am trying to come up with a hatchback darkroom light so I can use my tailgate as a workstation for my 18" telescope.

    If I put a red lens over it, the Hatch Luggage LED Lamp should work just fine.

    Thanx post posting this.
     
  15. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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  16. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    #16 Salamander_King, Dec 13, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2019
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  17. Griogarach

    Griogarach New Member

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    Yeah, the price is harsh. It's available elsewhere for half that. I'm not trying to sell it, I only linked for illustration purposes.

    A battery operated stick on light is definitely an option as per the first few posts, but not for me. Something that big would be a dog toy within seconds.

    I'll be doing something hard wired to the current light. Apart from the crazy price I prefer the look of the light I linked to. It would look more integrated/OEM.

    It's just a question of preference.
     
  18. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Most bulbs on the Gen4 are incandescent, yes.

    It's ridiculous.
     
  19. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Don't forget it was released in 2015 - yes, LED lights were available, but so design was happening during the previous years - things which are of little consequence wouldn't have been updated.
     
  20. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    I bought a 2019, and it was re-designed for 2019. Toyota is relatively lazy - that's all there is.