heated mirrors, check it out

looks like a neat mod, but up until i got my Tacoma, my newest vehicle was a 1980 so yeah, i am a little used to not having heated mirrors! lol

 

Nice! I loved the heated mirrors on my dodge

 

I'm going to miss the heated mirrors on my SAAB, I may do this mod quickly once I get the taco!

I also want seat heaters I think I need to get some seat covers and heating elements...

 

Subbed

 

Did you use a switch from the Highlander?

That's what I have, and like the factory look. I also like that it has a 15 minute timer built in that shuts it off so I don't forget them on, as it only takes a couple of minutes at the most to clear the mirrors.

Shawn

 

I used a carling switch. 15 minutes is not needed, only needs about a
Minute and a half.

 

did you guys need to use a relay with these heaters? I am thinking about using a suitably rated illuminated DC switch from Radio Shack, and wire it into an ACC fuse (perhaps using an Add a Circuit).

 

i just used an add-a-fuse, no relay

 

That's awesome! I was just noticing how much I miss the heated mirrors in the Ram yesterday morning. Thanks for sharing!

 

For those wondering this was a very cheap and pretty easy mod.

Heated mirrors ~$20-
wire ~$8-
add-a-fuse ~$7-
carling switch ~$20- (there are a lot of cheaper switches available)

All in all about 55 bucks for somehting i'll use every day during the winter, well worth it.

 

Do you have a link to the Switch you used? Also, where did the get the Add-a-fuse? I have never used one. Fairly straightforward?

 

I get all my carling switches here:
http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/

got the add-a-fuse at advance auto

 

i have few concerns and questions about this. one could this damage the mirror in any way if left on by accident? also what circuit are you tapping into to get the power?

the last question i have is is there a larger element to heat more of the mirrors surface more efficiently.

with winter time right around the corner this looks like a great addition!

 

If leaving it on is a concern you could make a timer circuit and use a momentary switch to start the timer.

 

I'm not sure

Window circuit because i'm already using two other circuits for off road lights and bed lights. I'd recommend using the 12v accessory circuit

Myself and my co-worker (also has a tacoma) looked around for larger elements but we had difficulty finding anything the full size of the mirror. You really don't need anything larger, after a minute and a half the entire mirror is unfrosted as the heat spreads out

 

a little heads up for you guys...

hookedontronics, these heated mirror pads are from that same website you posted. not sure what the size is though.
http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/Defender_Heated_Mirror_Elements.shtml

 

those look nice but are about $55 + shipping

 

it's just another suggestion/option i'm throwing out there

 

nice! this looks like the route i'm going i'll be the test guy. i'm wondering now if i could have them come on with a thermostat like a factory set up.

 

i never got to finish this mod before i sold the truck. i was goin to go with the oem highlander switch that fits in the switch slots. it has a built in 15 min timer on it. i believe some guy from the el cheapo heated mirror thread was gonna try to wire it to the heater control, but said it was a wiring nightmare/almost impossible. i had the highlander switch, plug and wires, but sold it sometime last year