Heated Mirrors Kit - Interest / Update Thread (pic heavy)

In a climate like you described 5 should be perfectly adequate. Just as an example I had to drive over to Kelowna on Friday and there is one stretch on that highway that is notorious for having extreme fog. I hit that stretch and by the time I was through it my mirrors were unusable, 100% fogged over and after I hit the button I was fully cleared up in a matter of 15-20 seconds. Light frosts might take a minute or two and even nasty heavy frosts are usually cleared off in 6-7 minutes.

If you have a 15 minute timer and are cleared up in 5-6 minutes there is no problem to leave the mirrors heating if you wanted to. There is a cancel feature too so if you are cleared up early you can cancel out the heating by just pressing the button again.

Why the large majority goes with 15 minutes, I'm not sure. I guess it could be along the lines of thinking more is always better. I often hear people say wow I can't believe how fast these things heat up lol.

I mostly offer up the different time options because people seem to like having choices. I have a left of steering kit in my truck and if Toyota made a 10 minute switch available I think that would be perfect for my climate! 5 is good in spring and fall but I get heavy frosts in winter but I have yet to ever need the full 15 minutes of heating to clear even the worst frosts that my truck has seen.

 

Would love to get a Left of Steering, 5 minute, Green Illumination, USA.

Please let me know how I can get a payment to you and the lead time, on shipping.

Thanks.

 

Thanks for the order! I just sent you a message with all the details. I'll get you up on the list.

 

Update

Received the terminals I've been waiting for today for the new kit option. All of the terminals and connectors are correct for the project

Now comes the fun part of electrically mapping out each switch and then creating a bridge harness to make the illuminating switches plug and play.

By "fun part" what I really mean is tediously running continuity checks for each switch in every mirror adjustment position

Otherwise I have a small order of switches coming in at the end of the week at which point I will confirm that the amber switch is also a good fit (not expecting any surprises).

Provided I'm happy with the results I will be ordering more in over the weekend. If you are thinking of ordering this new option you should sign up by this weekend. I plan to order enough to fill orders for everyone on the list plus a few extra but I won't be bringing in a lot of extra stock on these.

I should have some harnesses done for this weekend so that I can put them through full testing cycles and also get a start on the instructions for this option.

 

Some good news and bad news on this new kit option.

Good news

I went ahead and tested out a bridge harness and it worked great allowing the upgraded illuminated switch to fully function in my truck... Tested all mirror adjustment directions and also confirmed that I can get the switch to light up with the headlights on or while the mirrors are heating depending of course on how I wire it up.

Bad News

My order that was supposed to come in this week doesn't even show as having arrived in Canada yet. I'm quite sure that it is in Vancouver already but likely sitting in a bin waiting to get processed in. With the holidays around the corner I've noticed a number of my incoming and outgoing packages are being delayed.

The plan remains the same though... Once I get this order in I'll verify the remaining switch options fit and are electrically the same. Once that is done I'll get a larger order placed to start filling some orders!

 

Thanks for the update - personally I am not particularly concerned about timing.

 

OMG Santa! Do you need more elves? I'm not worried either, they get here when they get here.

 

Okay good to know

I am hoping it is just a matter of being delayed and not lost into a black hole. Like I said though I've noticed a lot of packages not showing up on time lately so I'm sure it's just all the Christmas goodies being sent

 

For this new kit option what is the timer delay, 5 or 15 mins?

 

The new kit option will have the option of 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. Basically whatever you request I will set it up to do. It is also very easy to change at a later time if you want to adjust how long they heat for.

 

Sign me up for this new "style/option" with a 15 minute option in green.

 

Left of the steering wheel,5mins,green color or blue if you do have that color if not green its ok (without the mirrors)

 

Can do and thanks for the order! You have the option of the switch lighting up with the rest of your switches when the headlights are on, or to have the switch light up only while the mirrors are heating. I tried the green switch in daytime and it's a bad colour to try and see during the day. I'd recommend to have it light up with the headlights but that of course is up to you. Just let me know.

Thanks for the order! No blue option although it would be possible if you could find the correct sized blue cap to go over the bulb. I'll get you up on the list and fire over a PM on how to finish your order off

 

I would preffer with the rest of the switches when the headlights are on. Thats the way they live in my 4Runner.

 

You got it

 

Truck will be put in a container in March, headed to Europe for a couple of years. If it looks like I won't make the time cutoff, I will opt for the under the AC with similar options. I guess I can move the ARB compressor switch under the hood. Thanks man.

 

That sounds like fun... What area are you moving to? I don't foresee the timing being a problem at all

 

If you set it to light up with headlights on, how do you know if it's on? Will the button stay pushed in and release after preset time? Or is there a way to make it green with headlights and amber when on?

Nvm should have read first page before I asked.

 

Wiesbaden, Small town SE Germany

 

This is the answer I gave someone else in PM...

Unfortunately because we are using a switch for a purpose that it wasn't originally designed for there is no secondary light so it can only be wired to light with the headlights on or while heating.

That said since you want a timer with your setup even if you were to accidentally turn them on it would only heat for a maximum of 15 minutes and then automatically turn themselves off.

Although I don't plan to offer it up as a pre-made option mostly due to everyone having different tastes, it would be very easy to have the switch wired to light up with the headlights and then have a secondary 12v light come on whenever the mirrors are heating.

To do so would be as easy as two wires from the harness being tapped and ran to a secondary 12v powered light.