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Any interest in adj illuminated s/w buttons??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by BT Tech, Jan 14, 2006.

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  1. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

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    No problem Doctor as I wanted to get responses from both camps.

    I personally do not like the fact that the illumination on the S/W buttons are so dim and non adjustable so this is the reason for the mod.

    Practically every car that I have ever driven that has buttons on the S/W had adjustable brightness that controls the illumination. Why the Prius doesn't have it I have no idea but I plan to change that.

    Although I agree that you can "feel" your way around I would like to be able to actually see them as well at night. Around here there is a lot of traffic with misadjusted headlights so when your night vision is not in full effect, looking at the buttons on the S/W is basically useless as they are nearly invisiable.

    Thanks for your response!!



     
    #21 BT Tech, Jan 22, 2006
  2. brasche

    brasche Member

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    Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!!
    Thanks!!

    ==================================

    I'm in at $100.
     
    #22 brasche, Jan 25, 2006
  3. BMcGraw

    BMcGraw Member

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    Some of us wear driving gloves which hinders "bump recognition" to some extent...

    I'm in the other camp... "Light up my life!"
     
    #23 BMcGraw, Jan 26, 2006
  4. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

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    Thanks guys for all of your feedback!! I am close to finishing things up. I have a bunch of connectors that are en-route to me now so I can start on a few "test" kits.

    I will keep everyone posted on my progress.


    Thanks!!

    Brian
    BT Tech
    305-652-3115


     
    #24 BT Tech, Jan 27, 2006
  5. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Figure out a way to stuff LEDs into the steering wheel, and you'll have a customer here! I'm an EV nut AND and LED nut.
     
    #25 darelldd, Jan 27, 2006
  6. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    As far as I can tell the stock illuminators *are* LEDs. With a
    dropping resistor that's too high in resistance, so they don't
    get enough current. The simplest mod would be to change that
    resistor to something lower, but then it wouldn't be adjustable.
    .
    BT, how do you plan on dealing with the fact that the steering
    wheel lights come right off ILL+ and return through the same common
    ground as everything else on the wheel? The brightness adjuster
    works by producing a PWMed *negative* side return to the things it
    does control, so if you're going to deal with the steering wheel
    you'd have to turn that into a PWMed high-side drive and send that
    up the wheel's ILL+ lead ... *and* change or bypass the resistor.
    .
    Perhaps you should offer two kit options -- the cheap one in which
    the resistor is simply changed, and the high-end one that converts
    PWM ILL- into PWM ILL+ and sends that to the wheel...
    .
    _H*
     
    #26 hobbit, Jan 27, 2006
  7. akaab

    akaab Junior Member

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    One for me, please! The lack of adjustable dimming on the wheel is one of my biggest peeves.

    AKAAB
    West Palm Beach
     
    #27 akaab, Jan 28, 2006
  8. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    oh is that what we are??
     
    #28 DaveinOlyWA, Jan 28, 2006
  9. Kathleen2

    Kathleen2 New Member

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    If it is easy to do and the instructions are simple to follow I'm interested.
    Kathleen
     
    #29 Kathleen2, Feb 2, 2006
  10. DocToss

    DocToss Junior Member

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    Agood place to put an adjustable control is in one of the little button places next to the dash dimmer.
     
    #30 DocToss, Feb 4, 2006
  11. cmacal6364

    cmacal6364 New Member

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    Any progress on this project...? I am definitely interested! THANKS
     
    #31 cmacal6364, Feb 13, 2006
  12. MJ-Prius

    MJ-Prius New Member

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    I would definitely be interested if the mod was easy and under $100.00.
     
    #32 MJ-Prius, Feb 20, 2006
  13. stevehj

    stevehj New Member

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    They are defintely dim and I'm defintely IN!
     
    #33 stevehj, Feb 20, 2006
  14. BMcGraw

    BMcGraw Member

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    Any further progression involving the illuminated s/w buttons Brian? Still one of the many waiting for this modification I'm sure... :)
     
    #34 BMcGraw, Mar 16, 2006
  15. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    To bad the dropping resistor can't be removed and those leads connected to the dimmer wheel itself.
     
    #35 aaf709, Mar 16, 2006
  16. darwin100

    darwin100 New Member

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    It drives me crazy as well....keep me posted...
    darwin
    driftwood pearl
    oakland CA
     
    #36 darwin100, Mar 16, 2006
  17. drmanny3

    drmanny3 Member

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    Add me as interested. I drive several cars and don't always remember where the buttons are. They should be brighter. I transferred the BT chassis plate from my 05 to the 06. The car seems to handle better than the 05.

    Thanks,
    Manny
     
    #37 drmanny3, Mar 16, 2006
  18. cmwade77

    cmwade77 New Member

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    Add me to the interested list, as well as perhaps an illuminated cruise control stick, suggestions anyone?
     
    #38 cmwade77, Mar 20, 2006
  19. Rhody Jim

    Rhody Jim Junior Member

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    Brian....Count me in for under $100.
     
    #39 Rhody Jim, Mar 21, 2006
  20. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    REALLY INTERESTED!

    Let us know your current progress...don't go "coastal" on us! :lol:
     
    #40 BellBoy, Mar 21, 2006
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