Installed some HIDS on my '10 Prius

[Mt View]

Originally Posted by rstark18

There are two clips that you need to put a small screwdriver in to release. After that the cover moves up but is still attached to that hinge. A small tug pulls it straight up off the hinge. I was looking to see how Hawkmoon did his and was making sure everything was going to install easily. I am going on vacation this week but as soon as I get back I am going to order the MobileHID kit in 4300K.

One question. Can you tell the 4300K's are HID or do they look like bright halogen?

Don't know about 4300, I'm new to HID's. The ones I sent back were 6000K and thy were slightly blue. I've read that the 4300 put out the most light and are white and are what car makers generally use when they do HIDs.

[hawkmoon77]

Originally Posted by rstark18

There are two clips that you need to put a small screwdriver in to release. After that the cover moves up but is still attached to that hinge. A small tug pulls it straight up off the hinge. I was looking to see how Hawkmoon did his and was making sure everything was going to install easily. I am going on vacation this week but as soon as I get back I am going to order the MobileHID kit in 4300K.

One question. Can you tell the 4300K's are HID or do they look like bright halogen?

It's not a hinge! I thought so too at first. It just slides up and down at that point. Get a good look at the clips, and you should see how to disengage them with a screwriver. Hard to explain in pictures and text.

[hawkmoon77]

I used the H11 kit from MobileHID.com, 6,000K

[nylion]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon77

I used the H11 kit from MobileHID.com, 6,000K

Is H11 for high beams? I have a V with the LED low beams. I want to replace the high beams. hidextreme.com appears to use the same stuff as more expensive dealers, but for a lot less. Any experience with this vendor?

[Jon S]

you cannot use HID as high beams. The unregulated light output will blind oncoming drivers.

[nola_Prius]

Originally Posted by Jon S

you cannot use HID as high beams. The unregulated light output will blind oncoming drivers.

You can use HID for high beams, but it would be quite blinding if you drove around toward oncoming traffic with them on...but so would your stock halogen lights.

Originally Posted by nylion

Is H11 for high beams?

H11 is just the bulb size/type. It is usually used for low beams... but may also be seen in some high beam applications. I'm not sure if they are or not.
I know for sure that the low beams in Prius II-IV use H11 halogen bulbs.

[hawkmoon77]

Update on my install. If you do not want to connect it to the battery, the company I ordered it from has an adapter that connects directly to the existing harness. Just call and order it with your kit.

[Mt View]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon77

Update on my install. If you do not want to connect it to the battery, the company I ordered it from has an adapter that connects directly to the existing harness. Just call and order it with your kit.

Thanks for your great post. I installed mine yesterday evening in probably 20 minutes since you had already answered all the hard questions. Lights work great.

[nylion]

Originally Posted by nola_Prius

You can use HID for high beams, but it would be quite blinding if you drove around toward oncoming traffic with them on...but so would your stock halogen lights.



H11 is just the bulb size/type. It is usually used for low beams... but may also be seen in some high beam applications. I'm not sure if they are or not.
I know for sure that the low beams in Prius II-IV use H11 halogen bulbs.

The Prius V uses HB3 (9005) for the high beams. The Prius V fogs use H11 (surprising since this is the low beam bulb for the II-IV). I've ordered an HB3 (9005) set from hidextreme.com. If they work out, will do the fogs as well.

I know there was some concern in this thread that the startup current for the HID's might be too much for the normal lighting wiring. I know that the 55 watt halogens use a steady 10 amps. I wonder if a 20 amp starting surge is really an issue. The ballasts from hidextreme are all electronic and as such, are fairly immune to voltage variations, spikes, etc (so the seller says).

Which brings me to the question of where to locate 4 ballasts under the hood.

[hawkmoon77]

Originally Posted by nylion

The Prius V uses HB3 (9005) for the high beams. The Prius V fogs use H11 (surprising since this is the low beam bulb for the II-IV). I've ordered an HB3 (9005) set from hidextreme.com. If they work out, will do the fogs as well.

I know there was some concern in this thread that the startup current for the HID's might be too much for the normal lighting wiring. I know that the 55 watt halogens use a steady 10 amps. I wonder if a 20 amp starting surge is really an issue. The ballasts from hidextreme are all electronic and as such, are fairly immune to voltage variations, spikes, etc (so the seller says).

Which brings me to the question of where to locate 4 ballasts under the hood.

There is a lot of room behind the fog light area. It is accessible from underneath if you remove the black plastic