Wanted: Light under the bridge

I like your idea and will watch this thread as I'd like to put a light in the center console. I did some checking and the only "always hot" circuits are in the fuse box under the hood (driver's side high up). I believe fuse #27 controls the door lighting, but I cannot find a way to safely remove the fuse panel to add a new circuit for a center console light and I'm afraid I would also void the warranty.

My concept was to add a new wire (fused) thru the firewall, route it behind the driver's carpeting edge, and then tuck it under the plastic shroud that is between the carpet and the area you mentioned under the sky bridge. From there, it would be easy to get the wire into the console and add a switched light. Theoretically, that same circuit could have an additional light for the area you speak of, or a continuance of the door lighting circuit, but I'm stumped too.

BTW, I searched for the plug for footwell lighting thinking I could add them, but I could not find that wiring either.

 

I have used Osram dot-it LEDs to light up those dark corners of the Prius. They have a number of ways to be fitted (magnetic, velcro, sticky pad, screw) and use 3xAAA batteries. Pretty well made and a range of colours.

OSRAM|Consumer|Luminaires|DOT-it & Friends|DOT-it|index

 

I may add a small battery powered light, I'll havta do some research on the light and where best to mount it.

 

I recall somebody having done this and posting info a while back. Try a search.

 

SMARTHOME.com has :

SYLVANIA DOT-it LED Dimmable Battery Powered Light

Features:
Battery Powered White, LED, Dimmable (3 settings), push on-off, round, mount with magnet or 3M velcrow tape, White light, and they're water proof.

I bought 4 of them, One for the bridge, two for the rear hatch, one under the hood. Batteries are 4 AA last 100 hours. Should look great, and do the job nicely. Cheap Too !:mod:

 

I did find it on a search, but it was for a G2. Also, it appeared to be an aftermarket mod and they did not say how the lights worked. I know on the G3s, there is a footwell lamp option, probably on the M IV, which would come on with the door lights.

For proper center console lighting, a driver should be able to get in the car and open the console door and have the light come on via switch - preferably actioned by lifting the lid. This would require an "always hot" line not affected by ACC mode or READY mode.

 

Sylvania's DOT-it dimmable LED Battery Powered lights work well under the bridge. I installed the light completely out of sight. Either a passenger or the driver can easily touch it to turn it on or adjust the light levels and it very adequately lights the bridge tray. I put two more of them in the rear cargo area, and they provide far more light than the dim yellow light the car comes with. No underhood placement was possible.