1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

illuminate the joystick shifter?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by windstrings, Sep 2, 2009.

Page 4 of 6
  1. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It looses half it glow power every 12 years.

    Its harmless radioactive Gas that emits particles that glow... so "no".. you never charge it and it technically shines 24/7.
     
    #61 windstrings, Sep 6, 2009
  2. radioprius1

    radioprius1 Climate Conspirisist

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2009
    1,355
    155
    0
    Location:
    Iceland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Dang that's neat. Time to buy a drill press and make some really nice holes in my shifter ;)
     
    #62 radioprius1, Sep 6, 2009
  3. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    679
    132
    0
    Location:
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    It has a 12 yr half life and it glows all on it's own , needs no stimulous from outside light.
     
    #63 LRKingII, Sep 6, 2009
  4. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I would buy the tritium sticks first so you know what dimensions you need to drill.... just remember they come in glass tubes that can be broken or cracked.

    You can also buy them in protected polycarbanate holders.... but I wouldn't recommend for this use as you may break them trying to get them out... better to buy just the tubes by themselves..... green is the brightest.
     
    #64 windstrings, Sep 6, 2009
  5. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,735
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I did the mod as well and concur with your findings. It's not bad and at times I like it, but it doesn't quite have the pop you'd like to have just short of charging with a pen light.

    It was still a great idea and was a very cheap test. I'm also not going to remove it.
     
    #65 Mark57, Sep 16, 2009
  6. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Mark, I'm still considering Tritium sticks... I think tiny holes in the sides sealed off with epoxy would look the best... maybe three of them?.. or 4 at the most.. the way the shifter is built I would have to come in from the right and top sides.

    If it worked, I could see putting some perfectly clear exoxy in till the sticks were barely covered inside and let it harden, to finish with glow powder again so that when its mounted, the glowpowder would be beneath the sticks and the epoxy.

    I still need to find out if tritium emits uv rays.. because thats what energizes the glow powder.

    Based on what I've read, phosphor is used to make tritium glow.
    http://yarchive.net/gun/tritium.html

    Seems like what we really want is "luminous" powder which emits of its own....
    I can't find a local source yet..... only this so far.


    If we could get out hands on this stuff.. we would be set!

    Mike with "Litroenergy" said check back in two months... they may have some self illuminating powder in by then!
     
    #66 windstrings, Sep 16, 2009
  7. dapop6

    dapop6 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    ar
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    what about the toyota logo emblem on the hood as well as the rear to have it lite up as welll
     
    #67 dapop6, Sep 16, 2009
  8. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,735
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    You have some great ideas. Your Google-foo is indeed strong. ;)The self illuminating powder would be the easiest route in my mind. Hopefully that option may pan out with a little time.

    I showed the mod to my wife and she thought it was pretty cool. She enjoys the fact that I refuse to "grow up." :D
     
    #68 Mark57, Sep 17, 2009
  9. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    1,610
    246
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Anything new here???? I'm hoping this thread moves forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My knob is not light enough...
     
    #69 rrolff, Sep 17, 2009
  10. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    I'm reluctant to mess with tritium sticks yet till I see what this is all about.... the promise is another 2 months.

    Note the quote from yesterdays post.
     
    #70 windstrings, Sep 17, 2009
  11. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,735
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I go to work very early and normally get home when it's still light outside except today was a long day. It was starting to get a little dark when I got in the car to come home and there was a cool subtle green glowing shifter waiting for me. It was subtle, but cool. Yeah, it could be brighter, but I still like it.
     
    #71 Mark57, Sep 17, 2009
  12. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    1,610
    246
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hrmmm - looked at their website - and it isn't a product yet - so my personal guess (new product) is there will be delays... Though at least this would be the easiest to produce - I've got the light bug...
     
    #72 rrolff, Sep 17, 2009
  13. JeffA

    JeffA "The Batmobile"

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2009
    23
    1
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Just a bump to see if anyone has made the leap to Tritium yet?
    Or maybe any further info on self illuminating powder?
     
    #73 JeffA, Jan 20, 2010
  14. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks for the bump and the reminder.. I haven't heard from these guys, so I called and left a message to call me back and let me know what the status is. It looks like thier last update was Nov3, 2009.

    If you scroll down to " applications" you will see this product in paint form.... which means powder should also be available with they release it.
     
    #74 windstrings, Jan 20, 2010
  15. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2009
    822
    126
    1
    Location:
    Guerneville, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I can't help but wonder, Windstrings, has your right palm begun to glow yet???
     
    #75 bighouse, Jan 20, 2010
  16. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    No, but maybe it will if I can ever get my hands on the other stuff!
     
    #76 windstrings, Jan 20, 2010
  17. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2009
    822
    126
    1
    Location:
    Guerneville, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Anyone ever look into running some fiberoptic line from a lightsource up into the knob? I know Fiberoptic lights are VERY thin and flexible...and wouldn't require any wiring of any sort, just locate one end at another lightsource and borrow some light from it....
     
    #77 bighouse, Jan 20, 2010
  18. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,278
    373
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Good idea, you couldn't run it from the shifter knob as its solid steel and no place to access, you would have to run a second hole... not completely out of the question.

    I hate to get too "Jerririggin" with my New Prius.. want to keep it clean and factory looking or at least professional.
     
    #78 windstrings, Jan 20, 2010
  19. NickinVA

    NickinVA Not saving the world, just gas

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2010
    13
    1
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Bump...

    Any news on luminous powder?
     
    #79 NickinVA, Aug 6, 2010
  20. raholco

    raholco Ailurophile

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    51
    1
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Interesting that the Gen III stick doesn't light up-the Gen II does, but its very, very weak.
     
    #80 raholco, Aug 6, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 4 of 6