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Better trunk light

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by ethan_rose, Sep 29, 2018.

  1. ethan_rose

    ethan_rose New Member

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    The light in the trunk is pathetic so I bypassed the original one and put in a 10W COB LED instead wired to a barrel jack so it can be removed easily with the shelf (search for sumbulbs on AliExpress).

    Here are the results!

    DB1F497E-2F72-450C-8378-4D42F0AC3F6D.jpeg B33EC9B3-0F53-4149-B598-1F36581D495E.jpeg
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done!(y)
     
  3. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Very nice. If you decide to ever add an overhead light to the rear area of the car, please post that as well. Why there is no overhead light in the rear of the car I will never know, but it too is sorely needed.
     
  4. 4est

    4est Active Member

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    Do you mean this light?

    IMG_0489.JPG

    IMG_0490.JPG
     
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  5. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Yes - that's exactly what the car needs. If you did that, you did a great job.
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Nice mod. I added silvering to the stock lamp reflector, and then a brighter LED. It helped but this removable lamp looks like a great solution.
     
  7. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I'm pretty sure that's a different model prius, one that already has a dome light back there. Notice the extra sail lights on the front window and the height-adjustable seat belt anchors. Cs don't have those either.

    You could put in a rear dome like that but it isn't going to look quite that good. Part of what you're looking at is a pressed, molded headliner panel with a recessed cutout to fit the lamp. You won't be able to do that as a retrofit.
     
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  9. 4est

    4est Active Member

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    Yeah, I just noticed this is a prius c area. We do not have "prius c" in Europe

    Mine it's a normal prius plug in, so it has rear lights
     
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  10. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    We do have a member that did this... I was just being lazy and didn't want to search. :( :)
     
  11. Brandon Most

    Brandon Most Member

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    The Aqua shows one available . Part number crosses over to US spec 13+ Corolla, 09+ 4Runner etc. A trip to the dealer or salvage yard and you should have everything you need.
     
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  12. Issy Car

    Issy Car Member

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    Thanks for the inspiration. I finally got mine done today, but I think your barrel jack turned out better than mine.
    IMG_2406.jpg
     
  13. AndrewsPriusC

    AndrewsPriusC New Member

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    Any thoughts on the DC socket being a 2-pin (pos/neg connections only) vs. 3-pin (with 3rd connection to ground of course) ?

    I want to do the same in my car, lights in the trunk. I have some DIY experience with electronics but not an academic electrical background, sadly. What I'm wondering is, with a 2-pin DC socket, the exposed part of the housing/chassis is wired to the negative terminal, so you'd always have exposed metal on your socket that's connected into the negative power line.

    I'm not super familiar with whether this might pose a safety risk in any way? vs. if a different type of connector might be more appropriate here, or at least some kind of protective cover around it ?
     
    #13 AndrewsPriusC, Dec 30, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2018
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Car wiring typically grounds the negative side of the 12 volt system to the whole metal car body anyway. You're touching the 12 volt negative any time you're touching your car. The outside of your barrel jack poses no more of a danger.