Glycol Light

Michigan_Mike
Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
in Modifications & Upgrades
I have been contemplating adding a small light near the glycol tank that would allow me to easily see the glycol level as needed. I took the time over the weekend to install a small license plate LED light near the bottom of the tank. I also installed a switch flush to the plywood cover above the tank. This was relatively easy and although the closet area is small in our 400 it was worth the effort. I installed the switch on the cover above the glycol tank and ran the wiring down into the converter area where I picked up a 12V hot wire. This is a worthwhile mod and there will be no more guessing or looking for a flashlight.


Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ

Comments

  • Bayliss
    Bayliss Member Posts: 1,517
    Great idea, @Michigan_Mike!
    2019 T@B 320 S Boondock Lite; 2025 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4
    (Alde: 3020; Refrig: Isotherm Cruise 65 Eleg; Battery: BB 100Ah LiFePO4; Solar: Renogy 220W Portable Suitcase w/ Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Controller; Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor w/ Shunt; Pwr Cntr: PD-4135KW2B; EMS: PI-HW30C)
    Greg & Marlene (Tucson, AZ)


  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    Yes, grand idea... 
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    Nicely done. Always a challenge to check the level. 
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • BrianZ
    BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770
    The best ideas are simple, but useful & effective, while relatively cheap & easy to implement; in other words, just like yours, @Michigan_Mike!
    Thanks, this one is going on my to-do list. 
    In the 320 model, I believe there is a 12v line available in the compartment above, as I recall.

    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    Great idea @Michigan_Mike!
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,420
    Does the LED work as well as a UV light with the Alde fluid? A regular flashlight doesn’t work well on an older 320.  Great idea btw.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • grubbster
    grubbster Member Posts: 115
    Great idea.  I wonder if putting a UV led light would make the fluid glow.
    2023 F-150 Powerboost hybrid
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock
  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    edited November 2020
    No, it doesn’t have a UV effect.  I know what you are referring to in the above and what I will say here is that the photo above looks a bit obscured, but the mod does allow you to see the fluid level much easier and eliminates the guess work.  I have a scorpion flashlight out in New Mexico that has the UV light and will try that out when we get back out there.  

    You should look for a small LED light for this mod and I am still going to tinker with the position of the light and possibly lowering the amount of light hitting the tank to measure the effect.  I used a multi tool to cut the hole for the switch and might do the same thing in the storage compartment under the bed, have a switch by the battery compartment for use at night to see inside the compartment while outside the trailer.  I have a few (small) LED lights I’ve kept from upgrades and they come in handy for little extra mods down the road.  
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • Jilong
    Jilong Member Posts: 87
    @Michigan_Mike out of curiosity, where did you source the light switch? The one on your photo matches the light switch that turns on the lights by the bed in the 400.
    2018 Tab 400 × 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    I actually got the rocker switch from nuCamp, but there are comparable switches available on Amazon, etc.  

    https://www.amazon.com/Single-Switch-12-Volt-Trailer-Camper/dp/B078MKLQKZ/ref=asc_df_B078MKLQKZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089957955&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13445283433473836881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017578&hvtargid=pla-570924461998&psc=1
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ

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