Tuscany and Astoria

[powerboatr]

The panel by the passenger seat that houses the switches for the step, patio lights, awning and compartment lighting, is yours backlighted so you can see the switches in the dark?
I hate turning on the BRIGHT ceiling lights to see the switches, I did pull the panel and used a bright red led as a back light to see if it would work, which it did, but i find it odd it inst backlit already, its pretty funny when you hit the awning switch by mistake and everyone JUMPS

[Danorske]

Nope, Mine is dark also. Real annoying. How did you fix yours?
Ron

[JARS]

Well, my solution may not be the slickest, but it has worked great. I just posted a "stick-on" battery operated round led touch light just inside the entry door next to the panel. They are available at just about any hardware store or Wal-mart. Home Depot also carries a good selection. It provides planty of light to make sure you hit the right switch!

here is a link to the one I have:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...s/Dotitlights/

[powerboatr]

i am working on an automatic fix
I have a light sensing eye and am going to run a few red leds on the back side of the plate and when it gets dark they should come on automatically,
i have a few trips to radio shack to get it right,
i have been using the passenger spot light thing to but its jsut not what i want.

i did install some cathouse lights under the front outside bay that come on with the outside patio light, sort of gives it a red glow right before the steps

[powerboatr]

still cyphering the automatic lights on,
but
in the interim i added two red leds and a green lighted switch
a few more tweeks and its going to be perfect

[roboniko]

AWESOME!! Would to do something similar to. Very annoying this problem. Thanks for the sharing of ideas.

[Danorske]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr still cyphering the automatic lights on, but in the interim i added two red leds and a green lighted switch a few more tweeks and its going to be perfect

Robert,
After you get finished with the light I hope you publish a how to.
Thanks for a good job.
Ron

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danorske Robert, After you get finished with the light I hope you publish a how to. Thanks for a good job. Ron

Ron
the how to, is way to easy
you need a lighted 12v switch of the light of your choice, I chose a green light to help set it apart at night from the battery disconnect switch

the red LEDS came from Vehiclelights.com - vehicle lights Resources and Information., they have a wide range of choices, i chose two that would be used under a truck tailgate, they are small and bright, with two leds on each lense, the choice on lights is almost endless, i had purchased these a while back for another project that wasnt done

the current panel, i removed and unscrewed the switches panel and unplugged the battery disconnect and took the panel to the garage and carefully cut out a hole for the new switch, i used the unused upper portion of the switch panel right below the battery disconnect

the power was tapped off the always live 12v source for the flexible map light.

i did the trial and error on the placement of the lights to get as much of the words to light up, but basically it came down to the lights being about 1" back from the back of the panel and used small zipties to hold em in place.
i think as a MK2 MOD1 i will black out the edge of the panle to cover up a few light leaks.

[roboniko]

This thread got me thinking. Instead of using a power source and lighted switch, how about tritium inserts? Such as those used in nights sights for guns or emergency exit signs? I have some at the shop. WIll test and see. If it works this would eliminate wiring and would always be on. This stuff usually lasts for 10-15 years. I am thinking of the exit sign since it is a flat surface to begin with. Will Keep you posted.

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roboniko This thread got me thinking. Instead of using a power source and lighted switch, how about tritium inserts? Such as those used in nights sights for guns or emergency exit signs? I have some at the shop. WIll test and see. If it works this would eliminate wiring and would always be on. This stuff usually lasts for 10-15 years. I am thinking of the exit sign since it is a flat surface to begin with. Will Keep you posted.

you know back in my NAVY days we had some photo luminescence paint for the bulls eyes in compartments, it glowed really well and was made from fish and was non toxic,

i like the tritium stuff, if you outlined each letter it would really stand out