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Illumination for Center Dash Storage Bin

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by wpavalko, Feb 4, 2006.

  1. wpavalko

    wpavalko New Member

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    I'm trying to see if anyone else is bothered by the lack of illumination for the center dash storage bin (under the radio). I just got my '06 and although I don't have a use for that bin yet, why would I use it if I can't see inside at night?

    I came up with a solution that works pretty well. Anyone interested in buying one if I made some more? Production units would be much cleaner in appearance and I would shield LED. Only comes on when you open the door to the bin.

    Note that it's attached with some double-sided tape, so it doesn't damage the dash. The screws are my cheap way of holding the battery to the PCB.

    --WJP
     
    #1 wpavalko, Feb 4, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    cool! I'd rather have one for the upper glovebox though.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Feb 5, 2006
  3. dreichla

    dreichla New Member

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    Sounds interesting.

    Someone should figure out a way to turn OFF the glove box light when it's closed.
     
    #3 dreichla, Feb 5, 2006
  4. jukeboy

    jukeboy New Member

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    I got one of those sylvania dot it lights and placed it in the mp3 player slot, but it has to be switched on manually
     
    #4 jukeboy, Jan 18, 2008
  5. jukeboy

    jukeboy New Member

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    btw, is the glove box light standard or depends on the package? mine's #2
     
    #5 jukeboy, Jan 18, 2008
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yep. It's the amber/orange light.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jan 18, 2008
  7. jukeboy

    jukeboy New Member

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    well, I sure don't have that activated... is it an LED or regular bulb? saw a hole that looks like it could contain an LED... i'm currently using one of those magnetic proximity LEDs and it's white
     
    #7 jukeboy, Jan 18, 2008
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Glovebox right? The lower one?

    It has an orange/amber LED. Turn on your side markers (or headlights) to activate it.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jan 19, 2008
  9. hefaust

    hefaust New Member

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    I observed the same thing. Fumbling for my trip/odo button at night often resulted in KP/H on my speedo.

    To solve the problem, I installed a mirror that's normally found as an option for the Scion TC. It not only has homelink and is self-dimming, but has a really cool LED that casts an unobtrusive, almost restaurant-like lighting ambiance over the center dash, console, and doors. You can even choose lighting colors - amber, blue, or white. Or, you can have the lighting change color intermittently.

    Erick Faust
    Asst. Service Manager,
    O'Brien Toyota/Scion
    Indianapolis, IN

    2008 Barcelona Red
    1870 miles
    Avg FE - 49.2mpg (thanks to foaming)
     
    #9 hefaust, Jan 19, 2008
  10. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat Eric.
    Sounds like a great mod. How would you rate the difficulty of the install for the average owner? Cost range?
     
    #10 seasalsa, Jan 19, 2008
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol. I forgot about that option (well accessory) for the Scion range!

    Yes that is quite cool and now that you've mentioned it, quite useful too! But it'll work if you don't have the auto-dimming mirror in the first place, otherwise it'll be an expensive replacement!
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Jan 19, 2008
  12. hefaust

    hefaust New Member

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    The install was quite easy. I'm a service manager for a Toyota dealership and had my head Prius tech install it. It only took him 45 minutes to complete and the results are phenomenal. I love driving at night with that low amber ambience bathing my center dash/console/doors. As soon as I get my Coastal Ipod MFD interface, I'll not be fumbling for my Ipod in order to groove to Steely Dan whilst driving with the really cool lighting.

    Installation should be simple. All you need is one constant hot wire, one ground, and one accessory wire - all can be accessed via the fuse block. The ground and accessory hot can be tapped into the map lights or vanaity lights. If you have package #3 or above, you'll have all the wires at the mirror location.

    Erick
     
    #12 hefaust, Jan 19, 2008
  13. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Personally I'd rather see what is happening outside my car when I'm driving.
     
    #13 patsparks, Jan 20, 2008
  14. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    I want the same as you AND make them brighter !!
     
    #14 LYLUVLY, Jan 20, 2008
  15. kathyb

    kathyb New Member

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    It drove me crazy the other night when I was leaving the car and noticed some amber light coming from the crack of the bottom glove box.
    It stays on all the time....does anyone know why and a way to have it only come on when the glove box is opened?
     
    #15 kathyb, Jan 20, 2008
  16. jukeboy

    jukeboy New Member

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    that's odd... I had tried turning on the lights previously before posting up and it never worked; I've never noticed it on while driving to work in the early morning, but it was clearly visible when I went to try again just now
     
    #16 jukeboy, Jan 22, 2008
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    heh. ok well at least it works.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jan 22, 2008
  18. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    Erick: I have a 2004 #7 option package. Is the wiring already in place for the addition of the illuminated mirror you installed? Is this something my dealer can do? What would it cost, approximately (since different dealers vary)? How do you get changing colors?


    Your mod sounds great. I don't like the cavelike interior at night and have been playing with different aux lighting options.

    Thanks,

    Bob
     
    #18 Bob Allen, Jan 23, 2008
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I believe the mirror comes with the wiring (you'll need to tap into a power source.. the dome is probably best).

    It's basically like the factory auto-dimming mirror but add the illumination.
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Jan 23, 2008
  20. artistdr

    artistdr Junior Member

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    To which question are you yep'ing' to? ;-)
    Alan

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jukeboy [​IMG]
    btw, is the glove box light standard or depends on the package? mine's #2

    Yep. It's the amber/orange light. __________________
     
    #20 artistdr, Jan 23, 2008
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