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"Daytime Running Light" recommendations needed!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by mtbjay, Oct 30, 2012.

  1. mtbjay

    mtbjay New Member

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    Hello,

    I would like to know if anyone has installed the equivalent of Daytime Running Lights on their Prius. I am looking to increase the visibility of the car for safety reasons, as well as improve road vision at dark in conjunction with OEM low-beam output. Dealer quotes $550 for some unknown "fog light." I know there is a better solution out there and need guidance.

    The dealer did suggest simply installing a plug-n'-play PIAA bulb, claiming 20-30% increase in light output. But that only solves half of my concerns: night time road visibility. A Daytime Running Light is of higher priority to me. Something that comes on automatically at start-up, AND doesn't dim the dash lights when used like the factory headlights do.

    It's my wife's car, and I need something she doesn't have to think about it. I would, reluctantly, go for a light with it's own separate manual switch. But, it would need to be wired so the chime sounds when one forgets to turn them off. (Or, it goes off automatically upon power-down so as not to drain the battery).

    Make not mistake, any alterations would have to be made by a shop, and not me. I would expect seamless integration with no electrical gremlins popping up - ever. Budget: $3-400 installed.

    I want an additional lamp-set to improve considerably, our night vision as well. We don't need a true "fog light" per say, as it's rarely foggy here, but rather a longer-throw beam I would think.

    Has anyone here installed anything like this? Tell me about it!

    Thanks in advance,

    Jason
     
    #1 mtbjay, Oct 30, 2012
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You are aware that if you simply turn on the head lights and never turn them off again, they go on when the car starts, and go off 30 seconds* after you close the front doors after the car is off. On my Gen 2, there was a wheel I set so the dash lights did not dim.

    (*If you choose, the dealer can set that to 0 seconds or 60 seconds)

    For longer distances, what you want are driving lights:
    Amazon.com: KC HiLiTES 775 3x5 55-Watt Wide Beam Driving System: Automotive as an example/
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Oct 30, 2012
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    #3 F8L, Oct 30, 2012
    priusincc likes this.
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #4 xliderider, Oct 31, 2012
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I already have the OEM foglights installed and am using them as DRLs with some 5 watt amber LED bulbs. However, they aren't as bright as I'd like, especially during the bright midday sun.

    I am going to try installing some H8 35 watt yellow halogen bulbs next. Those should be bright enough, without generating as much heat as the 55 watt H11 stock foglight bulbs. There shouldn't be too much problem getting the H8 base to fit into the H11 mount.
     
    #5 xliderider, Oct 31, 2012
  6. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

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    I used the webelectricproducts.com DRL conversion for the Gen. II Prius and it works like a charm. Here's a fancy pic with them on from my mini beach photo shoot today. I have been running it for the last couple of years. Was running MBro LED turn signals, but was having problems with them so I just went back to the stock units and everything works great.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 shawnb2, Nov 6, 2012
  7. El Nino

    El Nino Member

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    I have the exact module just listed in the SALES forum. It works great but I am switching to an auto-dimming controller built specifically for my new DRL's.
     
    #7 El Nino, Nov 7, 2012
  8. pansontw

    pansontw Member

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    How about Revier?
     
    #8 pansontw, Nov 9, 2012
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Ok, I have the 35w H8 halogens installed in my foglights and they are wired to receive power when in Ready mode. They are definitely bright enough to be used as DRLs. However, I'm not entirely satisfied with them for several reasons. Main one is that the foglights are recessed into the lower bumper, so they aren't really visible except from the front, and I'd imagine, if I was following someone the foglights would be out of their rear view mirror's field of view.

    Also, even at 35w, the lights still get really hot.

    I'm intrigued by this latest discovery. It's a way to wire the low or high beams to run at half power as DRLs while retaining full power for regular use when the low beams/high beams are switched on :

    High beams as DRL without losing high beams - Team Integra Forums - Team Integra

    Using the high beams at half power seems appealing and would be much more visible as the reflectors cast a much wider range and the lights are mounted much higher than the foglights. Also, half power will cut down on the heat issue as well.

    Edit: Third reason, using the high beams as DRLs would allow me to still use the OEM foglights with the 55w H11 bulbs for additional illumination during bad conditions, and times when driving in dark areas with oncoming drivers.
     
    #9 xliderider, Nov 10, 2012
  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    To the OP, there is a stickied thread in this forum at the top regarding the OEM foglights. I got mine for about $115 and installed them myself. The installation wasn't too difficult, hardest part was going through the rubber grommet in the firewall.
     
    #10 xliderider, Nov 10, 2012
  11. wsalopek

    wsalopek Junior Member

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    Jason,

    I too would like to add that just turning the headlights on and leaving them in the on position will act very much like a DRL...and also, yes, if you turn the dash dimmer switch all the way up, dash lights and such come to full daytime brightness.

    For me, I think the "high beam" type of DRL is a truly awful way to "get noticed" on the road. Don't know if that's what you are considering, but those high beams (yes, even if they are "90%" or whatever) are extremely irritating to oncoming drivers...and a waste of gas too.

    I mean, what is next, for our horns to beep continuously as we drive?

    For me, I tend to look AWAY from an oncoming car with high-beam-type DRL's (it's painful to look at a high beam), meaning I will be LESS likely to avoid them should they, say, start to drift across the center line and into my lane.

    DRL's are, IMHO, highly irritating and controversial.

    Anyway hope you found a solution that worked out for you.
     
    #11 wsalopek, Aug 27, 2013
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    We already have that. It's called "Vehicle Proximity Notification System." ;)
     
    #12 32kcolors, Aug 27, 2013
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