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Rear Tail Light Heaters?-for blizzards

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by reg boulette, Dec 29, 2009.

  1. Dec 29, 2009 at 4:34 AM
    #1
    reg boulette

    reg boulette [OP] Well-Known Member

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    09 Tacoma AC

    After having driven through two extreme snow blizzards, found that tailgate become solidly crusted with snow, as well as LED tail lights which did not generate enough heat to melt snow on the lenses. As such, was practically invisible to vehicles following truck. Not a problem on previous trucks which had the regular incandescent bulbs which melted snow.

    Most will suggest getting out and wiping lights every so often, but in extreme white out conditions, this is probably more dangerous.

    Generally like the look of the LED tail lights so don't want to swap to older version. Have thought of a couple of mods to solve problem:
    -drill and install incandescent bulbs in the tail light casings which would come on with the regular tail lights and provide some heat.
    -using the snowmobile hand warmers as another forum member has posted for creating heated mirrors, having a separate wiring system to activate these on tail lights when needed.

    Anyone else with possible simple elegant solution?
     
  2. Dec 29, 2009 at 6:17 AM
    #2
    DrRabbitFurHead

    DrRabbitFurHead Yeah, there's a TSB for that!

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    Would rain-x keep the snow from sticking?
     
  3. Dec 29, 2009 at 6:32 AM
    #3
    uood8

    uood8 If You Search...You Shall Find.

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    very interesting...i never thought about leds not generating enough heat to melt snow. maybe some canada / snow belt people will chime in. maybe rain-x or aquapel the hell out of them so its harder for the snow to stick....beats me on this one.
     
  4. Dec 29, 2009 at 6:34 AM
    #4
    Danosabre

    Danosabre Well-Known Member

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    Maybe run some magnetic trailer lights when you drive in those conditions?
     
  5. Dec 29, 2009 at 7:57 AM
    #5
    Crooked Beat

    Crooked Beat Well-Known Member

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  6. Dec 29, 2009 at 8:13 AM
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    Simon's Mom

    Simon's Mom Wag More Bark Less

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    I did not know this, thanks for posting.
    Maybe I need to swap my 06 tails back in for winter driving?
    Or rig up a glow stick on those nasty days, like today.
    Will try the rain-x tho, good tip!
     
  7. Dec 29, 2009 at 8:16 AM
    #7
    Afwrestler1986

    Afwrestler1986 Well-Known Member

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    When I had snakes i used this stuff called Flexwatt. It is a roll of plastic with internal wiring that can get pretty darn hot. You would want to run a rheostat to it so you can change the heat output.

    I would post some links, but work blocks it all. There are a bunch of different sizes to choose from. it is very low draw aswell. Check it out.
     
  8. Dec 29, 2009 at 9:37 AM
    #8
    pataco

    pataco Well-Known Member

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    this is a good thread,cause i was wondering when this was going to come up.i see this on BIG trucks all the time.L E D s just dont have the heat as a regular bulb does.
     
  9. Dec 29, 2009 at 9:40 AM
    #9
    Evil Monkey

    Evil Monkey There's an evil monkey in my truck

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    Here's a link:
    http://www.bigappleherp.com/Flex-Watt-Heat-Tape
     
  10. Dec 29, 2009 at 11:17 AM
    #10
    Afwrestler1986

    Afwrestler1986 Well-Known Member

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  11. Dec 30, 2009 at 1:28 AM
    #11
    reg boulette

    reg boulette [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies!

    The FlexWatt tape is a good idea, but does not seem to run on 12 volts DC. (at least can't find any reference to this on a search of several web sites) I'll see if I can't get some RainX and try this out. The magnetic trailer lights are also a good idea - a bit cumbersome - but have changed my mind about replacing my trailer tail lights with LEDS!

    There have been several people on snowmobiling forums that have wired in a small 'peanut' bulb that seems to have worked well on the newer sleds with an LED tail light. Apparently it doesn't take much heat to at least partially clear the tail light lens.
     
  12. Dec 30, 2009 at 4:09 PM
    #12
    Afwrestler1986

    Afwrestler1986 Well-Known Member

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    Gray wire, Some lights in the bed area, and some character marks throughout.
    It should work just fine.
     

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