Forum Discussion

soonernation's avatar
soonernation
Explorer
Dec 14, 2012

Voltage Panel Lighting

Has anyone with a Voltage taken the power panel off and added a light source behind it? One of my biggest issues with this trailer is the fact that they took the time to light up the word Voltage but not the labels to identify the switches.

I recall reading somewhere where a guy added some led's behind the panel but the instructions were vague. I'd like to do this but I need a bit more direction as to where to draw power, type of LED strip, etc.
Toy Haulers

10 Replies

  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Jan 09, 2013
    I had another look at the EL panel. It's made by / distributed by Quantaflex. The little black box is an inverter. It has 13V on the inputs but nothing on the output. I guess the inverter is croaked.

    I suppose I could hook it directly to AC...
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Jan 07, 2013
    joebedford wrote:
    Speaking of the factory backlight - mine has croaked. It's connected to a little 1" x 1" x 1/4" black thingy. Anybody have any idea what the "thingy" is? Transformer? Relay? Power supply?

    If the electro-luminescent strip behind the word "Voltage" is dead, any idea where to get a new one?
    I've been reading about EL tape and it's AC powered. Maybe the black thingy is a transformer to step down the voltage to control the brightness of the tape?

    I'll check tomorrow if there is any voltage going to the EL tape.
  • jackxclan's avatar
    jackxclan
    Explorer
    Jan 07, 2013
    bakedalaskan1 wrote:
    Here is the article you are talking about.

    http://www.toyhauleradventures.com/2011/01/backlight-your-control-panel/

    Good luck!

    I'm pretty sure Keven posted that here to, I did the same to mine with pep boys led strips. Easy upgrade placement and number of lights to do what you want is key.
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Jan 07, 2013
    Speaking of the factory backlight - mine has croaked. It's connected to a little 1" x 1" x 1/4" black thingy. Anybody have any idea what the "thingy" is? Transformer? Relay? Power supply?

    If the electro-luminescent strip behind the word "Voltage" is dead, any idea where to get a new one?
  • Donniecfd32's avatar
    Donniecfd32
    Explorer
    Dec 18, 2012
    A great idea and looks good too. I'll be doing this to our's in the near future. Thanks for posting.
  • grizzly660fan's avatar
    grizzly660fan
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2012
    I added backlight to mine just like the link and I am thinking of adding another to light up the labels in the center. I didn't put mine on a switch I just have low voltage led's and they are on all the time like the factory backlight.
  • caberto's avatar
    caberto
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2012
    This is a great idea! I'm going to see if I can do the same thing on our Cougar, it's the exact same situation... lighted Cougar name but buttons are not lit. Someone dropped the ball on that design.

    Thanks!
  • bakedalaskan1's avatar
    bakedalaskan1
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2012
    Here is the article you are talking about.

    http://www.toyhauleradventures.com/2011/01/backlight-your-control-panel/

    Good luck!

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