Anyone try to illuminate around the charge port door while shut for looks?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by arek, Jan 9, 2013.

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  1. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Thinking of putting in some cl wire in the charge port area. Even with batteries, might look cool for special occasions (valet, weddings, parties) anyone try it. If someone has leftover el wire maybe they can take a demo pic?

    Arek
     
    #1 arek, Jan 9, 2013
  2. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    you mean while the car is charging?
    the charge port has an LED bulb that lights it when you open the charging door and the car is able to take a charge (i.e. turned off)
     
    #2 lensovet, Jan 9, 2013
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    My charging port has LED illumination. Yours does not?
     
    #3 usbseawolf2000, Jan 9, 2013
  4. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I would love to have it illuminated in conjunction with the passenger's dome light and I might do that.:rolleyes:
    Is tough trying to find the padlock's key hole in the charging wand in the darkness of the day tho
     
    #4 mrbigh, Jan 9, 2013
  5. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    I'm going to put a battery operated el wire for now. Just to see how much light will emit from around the edges. Maybe just a single led will be enough?
     
    #5 arek, Jan 9, 2013
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    My charging port is already illuminated with an led OEM.
     
    #6 Paradox, Jan 9, 2013
  7. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Seems like the OP wants a ground effects type of glow to emit from the edges of the charge port door when it's closed?
    Seems pretty cool actually, but probably a pain to setup.
     
    #7 ny_rob, Jan 9, 2013
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    That's fine but I sure wish he would explain what he is trying to do or answer the question posed to him by fellow owners. Because the title of his thread sure makes it come across to other owners (such as myself, lensovet and usbseawolf) like what he wants to do already exists.
     
    #8 Paradox, Jan 9, 2013
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  9. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Haha that's right! Just ordered sky blue el wire. To get constant power I'm going to have to look into the other side of the car to determine how I can "pass through" constant power to the other side
     
    #9 arek, Jan 9, 2013
  10. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    so when will this be on? when you're driving? won't that confuse cross traffic? i'd be wary…
     
    #10 lensovet, Jan 9, 2013
  11. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    This is easy to do
     
    #11 mrbigh, Jan 9, 2013
  12. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Where am I going to get the power from? Please enlighten
     
    #12 arek, Jan 9, 2013
  13. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Bump for comments. I have determined a 180mm led angel eye ring is just the right size to use for the charge port. Anyone have any ideas how else to illuminate the charge port area while driving? Yes, its going to be a ground effect, like the charge port is glowing blue at night to create a great identifier that we are ELECTRIC!! Thanks for any input. I just don't know if el wire will be bright enough. I tried putting in some of the flat super bright led strips but those don't curve so the door wouldn't shut. Trying to find 180mm rings but no luck. Thanks!

    Arek.
     
    #13 arek, Sep 24, 2013
  14. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    The two most relevant questions are how much space is available, (and how it's distributed) and how can you run 12 volts out to that area. Solve them and the rest is trivial. I can't answer these questions because I don't have my PiP yet.
     
    #14 kenmce, Sep 24, 2013
  15. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    In my area, and probably in yours as well, it's illegal to have any blue lights on your vehicle unless you are driving an official police vehicle.
     
    #15 xliderider, Sep 24, 2013
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  16. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Completed the illuminated plug in port over the weekend. Tried many options the brightest were the triple smd led strips from trakauto but they, as many options, were too thick. The door would not close using these methods. Let me know what you think. I Love it!

    Sorry for the bad pic. It's a bit fuzzy. I'll try to get better ones tonight!
     

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    #16 arek, Sep 30, 2013
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that looks fabulous! was it a lot of work?
     
    #17 bisco, Sep 30, 2013
  18. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    I also wonder if some police officer having a bad day and looking for someone to ticket is going to get bent out of shape by "illegal" blue lights on the non-police vehicle.
     
    #18 CharlesH, Sep 30, 2013
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  19. arek

    arek Junior Member

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    Give me a break.
     
    #19 arek, Sep 30, 2013
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I've seen motorcycles pulled over for having blue LED accent lighting. We're not talking about Harveys that might resemble a police bike either. These were crotch rockets.

    SCH-I535
     
    #20 xliderider, Sep 30, 2013
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