Developing a glove box LED light kit - now for sale!

I have mentioned this in a couple of threads, but several people have commented that they would like a glove box light in their Mirage. Well, Mitsubishi didn't feel that it was necessary and thus did not add one to the car. But, that doesn't mean we can't come up with something quick and easy ourselves to make one, right? Well, that is what I intend to do, and will detail in this thread. So, lets hop to it!

First off, we need some power for a light. Mitsubishi kindly provided nice 5V power straight to the glove box via the USB cable from the radio. This is a great source of power since you don't have to splice any wires, or anything, just plug your light into the USB cable and bingo bango you got powah! Now, you may be thinking to yourself "that is a pretty fantastic idea Daox, but what about if I want to actually USE my USB cable?" Well, I have that figured out too. Introducing a brilliant device called a Y-cable. It has a single male plug, but two female plugs. Notice, one has a red ring around it? That one is just for power where the other one can handle power and data. Our light just needs power, so we will be using that one. You can use the other one for music, charging your cell phone, or whatever you kids do with USB outlets these days.

Attachment 10633



Now that we have power, we need... a light! (you can applaud anytime). I did a bunch of searching online and found these little LED USB lights. They're inexpensive and actually put off a good amount of nice white light. They're super simple, just plug them in and if the USB outlet has power, they turn on.

Attachment 10634



With these two pieces, you pretty much have a glove box light. You can plug it in, and anytime the car is on, it will turn on. You can even jam the USB connector with the light in it between the dash and some metal piece under the dash to stick the light out of the way and get a nice picture like the one shown below. I adjusted the image so it more closely looks like what you'll actually see.

Attachment 10635



However, the light will be on the entire time your car is keyed on, or in accessory mode. I have a feeling that light will seep out of the glove box while driving at night. I'm not a big fan of this, so I plan to add a switch to the system. This switch will keep the light off until the glove box has fully opened, then it will turn on. I have the switch, I just don't have the mounting provisions made up quite yet.

I have some reed switches laying around that should work, I'll get the cable now to install in the springtime.

Very cool. I'd like to see how you implement your reed switch. I love seeing people doing their own mods (especially ones that I can copy :D). We get some creative juices flowing and make the designs better with more cooperation.

For those who aren't interested in a DIY solution, once I get it all ironed out I will very likely be offering a glove box light kit. It will be 100% plug and play and should be install-able in under a minute.

Nice mod!

And Doug Demuro didn't even think to complain about the lack of glovebox lighting in his "Mirage is the worst car" review!

Last night I was able to finish up this mod! My 3d printer has had a broken wire since before Christmas, and I finally got it fixed. So, I was able to print out the necessary brackets for the switch and the light end.


The first necessary piece is the light end clip. This allows you to clip the female USB end with the LED light in it to the upper lip of the glove box.

Attachment 10650



This is actually showing the clip upside down, but gives a good view of how it fits and works.

Attachment 10653



Here we have it right side up.

Attachment 10652



The next step was designing the bracket for the switch. This was a bit more tricky, but I was able to make a nice and simple clip together design that sandwiches the switch, and then that all clips on to the side of the glove box.

Attachment 10654



This is an earlier version. The switch was too far forward. But, it gives you an idea of how it fits. I didn't get a picture of the newest version on the side of the glove box (with it out of the car).

Attachment 10655



Now, for wiring in the switch. I need to find a little better way of doing this so soldering is unnecessary, but it still worked out pretty good.

Attachment 10656



Here is the finished product all soldered and taped up ready for install into the car.

Attachment 10657



And here we have the installed product in the car. I did this right before leaving for work, so these aren't the best pictures. However, everything fit up very nice. The position of the switch seems to be just right.

Attachment 10658



So, I will give this a try for a while and see if there are any hiccups with it. I already adjusted the design on the light end clip to be slightly tighter. Its pretty good as is, but a little more will keep it in place just a little better, and still not be a pain to install.

Mercury switch! :D

I had a 1964 Pontiac, and there was a mercury switch + light on the underside of the trunk lid.

Toxic controlled substances won't be necessary. Use a magnetic reed switch instead. Just be sure to place the reed switch on the stationary location and the magnet on the moving assembly and the wiring will never fail and the switch won't wear out.

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Originally Posted by Eggman

Toxic controlled substances won't be necessary. Use a magnetic reed switch instead. Just be sure to place the reed switch on the stationary location and the magnet on the moving assembly and the wiring will never fail and the switch won't wear out.

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That's my plan, they are such good devices for applications like this.

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Originally Posted by Daox

So, I will give this a try for a while and see if there are any hiccups with it. I already adjusted the design on the light end clip to be slightly tighter. Its pretty good as is, but a little more will keep it in place just a little better, and still not be a pain to install.

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I just got my first printer when rebuilding my Tacoma. They are fantastic for making custom brake line and fuel line clips!

I've been messing around with this a bit. Unfortunately, its been so blasted cold I haven't done a ton. But, I am pretty sure I'll be making some changes. It does work good as is, however it can be better. Eggman made a great point about putting components on fixed parts vs moving parts. I would like to do this as it'll increase the life and reliability of the product. So, watch for the redesign.

I worked on this a bit yesterday. Here is the first test piece. It fit a bit too tight, so I'm fixing that. But, I think it'll work out quite nice. This piece now mounts on the side of the dash piece, not on the glove box door. There will be switch actuator that mounts on the glove box door that is basically an arm that pushes the switch.

Attachment 10775

Attachment 10776



Here is an updated version that should fit better.

Attachment 10777



And, here is the switch actuator. The block on the side is what will push against the switch. This piece mounts on the glove box door.

Attachment 10778

Looks great!
I've used simple magnetic switches attached to constant 12v and LED lights for a few glovebox, underhood, and tailgate set-ups. They worked flawlessly too.

Alright, the next version is installed and working quite nicely.

Here is a picture of the switch actuator. This is the piece that clips to the glove box door and pushes the switch.

Attachment 10782

Attachment 10783



I got it all installed and shot a quick video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQyJ...ature=youtu.be



A more accurate picture of how it looks is:

Attachment 10784

Nice work!!!!!

Thanks, I'm quite happy with how it turned out. I like this redesign a lot better than the original one. It installs super easy in under a minute.

They were designed because a lot of you mentioned you'd like a glove box light. I'm interested in making these for sale, but I would like to know about how many to order parts for. I'm currently thinking the price will be $29.99 shipped. If I get lots of interest, I can probably get that price down since I can volume order some parts.

So, who is interested in getting one of these?

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Originally Posted by Daox

Thanks, I'm quite happy with how it turned out. I like this redesign a lot better than the original one. It installs super easy in under a minute.

They were designed because a lot of you mentioned you'd like a glove box light. I'm interested in making these for sale, but I would like to know about how many to order parts for. I'm currently thinking the price will be $29.99 shipped. If I get lots of interest, I can probably get that price down since I can volume order some parts.

So, who is interested in getting one of these?

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I'm interested. Are you considering developing footwell lights that would be switch operated? Maybe tied into the overhead light so they turn on also when the doors open?

Nice work, Tim!

Can you 3D print me a Mirage to go with this glove box light kit? Scale: 1:1

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Nice work, Tim!

Can you 3D print me a Mirage to go with this glove box light kit? Scale: 1:1

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Haha. Design and 3d print me a 6 speed transaxle. Stupid Hyundai Accent has one.

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Nice work, Tim!

Can you 3D print me a Mirage to go with this glove box light kit? Scale: 1:1

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Perhaps I can start accommodating more exotic requests once I get a metal capable 3d printer. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daox

Thanks, I'm quite happy with how it turned out. I like this redesign a lot better than the original one. It installs super easy in under a minute.

They were designed because a lot of you mentioned you'd like a glove box light. I'm interested in making these for sale, but I would like to know about how many to order parts for. I'm currently thinking the price will be $29.99 shipped. If I get lots of interest, I can probably get that price down since I can volume order some parts.

So, who is interested in getting one of these?

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I am! I mostly drive my car at night. This would be great!

Anyone else interested? Going once, twice...

I'm in. :)

I'm not sure how it will work with my aftermarket head unit...but I'll hard wire it if necessary.

So the USB port from the factory radio supplies voltage even when the car is off? I'm not sure my Kenwood is doing that. I have a tiny USB drive plugged into it right now, and the drive has a tiny LED. When I power the car off, the LED on the USB drive goes out. :confused:

No, the glove box light will not work if the car is off. The key needs to be in and in ACC or ON mode to work.

Oh...OK. I missed that.

I'm still in for one. :)

Going thrice... sold!

I want to thank you first three guys (Wallythacker, Cobrajet, and Top_Fuel) a lot for showing interest. As thanks for showing interest (which makes things more worth while to me), I am going to give you guys a handsome discount on your orders. Your cost will be $20 vs $29.99. Thank you for your support!

I've ordered parts for the kits. I'll keep you updated on how things progress and when they're available.

Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to develop this and putting it together! :encouragement:

Wow that's a good deal. :)

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Originally Posted by Daox

Going thrice... sold!

I want to thank you first three guys (Wallythacker, Cobrajet, and Top_Fuel) a lot for showing interest. As thanks for showing interest (which makes things more worth while to me), I am going to give you guys a handsome discount on your orders. Your cost will be $20 vs $29.99. Thank you for your support!

I've ordered parts for the kits. I'll keep you updated on how things progress and when they're available.

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Awesome!

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Originally Posted by Daox

Going thrice... sold!

I want to thank you first three guys (Wallythacker, Cobrajet, and Top_Fuel) a lot for showing interest. As thanks for showing interest (which makes things more worth while to me), I am going to give you guys a handsome discount on your orders. Your cost will be $20 vs $29.99. Thank you for your support!

I've ordered parts for the kits. I'll keep you updated on how things progress and when they're available.

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Double awesome! Thanks. I know it will come in handy as I've needed it a few times recently.

You're welcome guys. I really do appreciate people taking the initiative and those who are willing to plunk down some cash to see things happen. I hope to keep going and make cooler and cooler stuff for the Mirage.

sorry im late for the party. is it over?

Nope. I'll be making these kits available for sale as soon as I get the parts in and get some kits made up.

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Originally Posted by Daox

Nope. I'll be making these kits available for sale as soon as I get the parts in and get some kits made up.

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Can't wait! These are great.

Well, you're in luck. I just got my first shipment of Y cables last night. I bought a few of them in hopeful anticipation that a few more of you would be interested in picking up a kit. Still waiting on some other bits, but they should be here soon.

Cables!

Attachment 11116

And the rest of the electronic bits are here!

Attachment 11129

Electrifi-eficient. Great post, nice mod, although it's a little sad that a glove box nowadays does not come standard with a light, I mean what might the production costs of that be (since there is already a good 5V connection). Anyway, keep modifying, always good and interesting. :)

Shipped the first light kit today! Thanks Top_Fuel!

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Originally Posted by Dennis

Electrifi-eficient. Great post, nice mod, although it's a little sad that a glove box nowadays does not come standard with a light, I mean what might the production costs of that be (since there is already a good 5V connection). Anyway, keep modifying, always good and interesting. :)

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Thanks. I agree adding it up front would be much much cheaper. But, my 2004 Civic (DX admittedly, the lowest trim) doesn't have a glove box light. I honestly never noticed, but I didn't have it real long either.

i somehow missed all of this. i'm down for one.

You can use this link to purchase one.

Daox products & price list