1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Fog light colour

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Simtronic, Aug 4, 2013.

  1. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    I need to replace one of my fog light bulbs ( lamps for our US friends) so I will replace the pair. I want LED and of 2500K colour as this is optimal for actually seeing where you are going in fog. My problem is I can't find any decent LED's in this colour range they are all 5000K and above. HID conversions are illegal over here does anyone know of a decent yellowish LED bulb/ lamp available?
     
    #1 Simtronic, Aug 4, 2013
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,872
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If you actually want a functional light, which it sounds like you do, then forget about LED and stick with halogens.

    LEDs simply aren't bright enough at this point, even those with a gazillion LEDs mounted in arrays.

    I've had some 2.5k Nokya bulbs in my foglights for a while now and am happy with them.

    Played around with LEDs in my foglights when I was using them as daytime running lights (DRL), so I am speaking from experience.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Aug 4, 2013
  3. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus

    Thanks, that is what I expected I was just hoping, I have got a pair of white LEDs fitted already but hopeless in fog ok as day running lights, one has just failed and just over a year old so much for the claimed 50,000 hours life expectancy
     
    #3 Simtronic, Aug 5, 2013
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,872
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah, LEDs have lower output. They are also susceptible to failure from heat without proper heat dissipating measures like heat sinks.

    Here is a pretty bright LED bulb in the H11 size:

    What did you do to ur Prius today???? | Page 143 | PriusChat

    It is white though, you would have to apply some vinyl film if you want an amber or yellow light output though. Additionally, I'm not sure that the heat issue is adequately addressed with these bulbs, even though they have a heat sink and a small cooling fan.

    And they're also pretty expensive.

    SCH-I535
     
    #4 xliderider, Aug 5, 2013
  5. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    709
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    If 3000K HIDs are out of the picture, I'd suggest the 2500K Nokya bulbs as well.

    3000k HIDs ARE pretty awesome tho...
    [​IMG]
     
    #5 Justdidit, Aug 5, 2013
  6. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    Thanks to both of you a pair of 2.5k Nokya bulbs seems like the order of the day
     
    #6 Simtronic, Aug 8, 2013
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,872
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Remember not to touch the bulbs with your fingers when installing them. The oils from your hands will create a hot spot on the bulb leading to premature failure. Handle the bulbs by their bases only.

    SCH-I535
     
    #7 xliderider, Aug 8, 2013
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Let us know how you get on with them.

    Also, on this subject, is there an easy way of having dual function front fogs? 1, as a DRL and 2, as a fog? Dual filament bulbs or would it be too much hassle?
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Aug 8, 2013
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,872
    3,116
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You can wire your foglight relay to any wire that has power in Ready mode instead of the wire that only has power when the headlight/parking lights are on.

    I did that when I was using the foglights as DRLs. But I also modified 35w H8 halogen bulbs to fit in the H11 socket to reduce the heat from running 55w halogen bulbs in an enclosed foglight housing during the day.

    If you encounter a lot of fog though, you probably want to leave it with 55w H11 bulbs.

    SCH-I535
     
    #9 xliderider, Aug 8, 2013
    GrumpyCabbie likes this.
  10. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus

    I remember looking at a fitting in Halfords that was dual purpose it had two different lenses over each bulb the fog had a rippled effect that spread the light at low level and the DRL had a defuse lense. That was some time ago (pre-MK1 Prius) and wouldn't of fitted in a Prius anyway. The point being different spread of light as the fog light needs to cut under. When LED technology matures a bit I am sure they will make a combined unit that will be compact. The other alternative is to fit extra light fittings alongside
     
    #10 Simtronic, Aug 8, 2013
  11. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    1,018
    242
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    like its been stated already, putting an led bulb into a normal housing is not the same as having an actual led fog light assembly. leds at this point, are only for looks. i would just throw some yellow 2.5k or 3k halogens in the fogs and have fun. you get good color for a good price and no hassle.
     
    #11 kingnba6, Aug 8, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)