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Interior LED Lighting?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by FreakinToddles, Aug 30, 2009.

  1. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    You can put them in an envelope and send them my way.. amber footwell lights are better than no lights in my III. :D
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Thanks antiflash!!

    you said the flasher is hard to install... in what sense? location/accessibility? Also how many do you need if you want to swap the turn signals? one? or two (one for the fronts and one for the rears)?
     
  3. GAM

    GAM Australian Prius Owner

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    Antiflash, I am curious if you have noticed any problems with your radio reception since this mod? I have just done the same mod with LEDs from superbightleds and it has totally stuffed my radio reception whenever I turn on the lights. I have a Prius IV, Australian Model.

    I have posted my findings on another thread regarding poor radio reception.

    Be warned, this mod can create more problems than it's worth.....and wasted $160 unless Superbright agree to give me a refund....but I have to ship back to the US and lose out on all my shipping charges.
     
  4. Smirv

    Smirv AkA: Ryan

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    The Dome Light and the Rear Storage Area Light do not fit properly. I actually took them into the shop and where the ends go into the clips they dont have a sharp enough point. You can get the Dome Light to fit and turn on but it is not secure and you run the risk of a short. It can be fixed with some customization. You might have to use some appoxy and modify the insides.

    Edit: Going into the shop today to get the dome light installed. They are going to use appoxy. Also wanted to point out the reverse lights and rear turn signals require a bit a force to get in.
     
  5. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    For you guys that swapped the front parking/marker/driving lights (above the headlamp) with the 5 LED --- is the difference (brightness) that dramatic? I typically keep my "parking" lights on during the day as DRLs; not sure if it helps but every bit I guess. They are tepid during sunlight of course. Is it worthy to upgrade to the LEDs? I've seen pics etc. But what's your view of it in the real world?
     
  6. antiflash

    antiflash New Member

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    I posted an overview of the flasher swap-out a few pages back. Let me know if that doesnt have the detail you need. Mainly, it was difficult to physically access the flasher unit (it's just one). It's buried pretty far up and to the front of the dash on the driver's side. I didnt have any how-to's or tech guides - just turned on my hazards and worked my way up to where the unit was. There may be just a trick to the process that I wasnt aware of.

    Cheers!
     
  7. antiflash

    antiflash New Member

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    GAM - I noticed a definite change in FM reception when I changed out my headlights for Xenon lights. I attribute it to the poor quality of the kit I purchased and havent made an effort to improve it.
    I'm thinking it could be fixed by re-routing power - if my ballasts and/or power lines run near the FM antennae lines, it would cause interference.

    Just to confirm this - has anyone else noticed decreases in FM signal quality with LED or Xenon headlight installs?
     
  8. antiflash

    antiflash New Member

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    Dean,
    I could see them functioning as DRLs...I do agree that every bit helps and the little 5's up front definitely help to bring attention to the front end, much like DRLs IMHO.
     
  9. Smirv

    Smirv AkA: Ryan

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  10. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    I have HIDs installed and have not noticed any change in FM signal. However, I rarely do listen to FM since I'm making the most out of my XM subscription.
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ohhh ok... I'll look for it. Thanks!
     
  12. cycle11111

    cycle11111 New Member

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    I have HIDs and internal LEDs. My FM reception is the same as before I had the lights upgraded - which by the way wasn't great - lots of threads on that topic. However I mainly listen to XM and my iPhone anyway so not a huge issue for me.
     
  13. Gregg Suter

    Gregg Suter Junior Member

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    I'm also upgrading to some interior LED's (starting with map and rear dome), also decided to get the 3-watt lx3 series amber LED's (all from superbrightled) for the turn signals. I know with the stock flasher that they will hyperflash and I don't feel like tapping wires to install resistors if I can avoid it; I did that with my older '05 Prius but ended up not using them (glad I also installed a "bypass" switch to disable the resistors as to not overload the circuit if filament bulbs were being used).

    Anyway, I tried looking for the flasher unit per your instructions on page 8 of this thread, and I have an approximate location but not totally sure where it is. By feeling the vibrations created by the "clicking" when hazards are on, it almost feels like it's up higher above that fuse box, as the vibrations are stronger up there. Didn't get on my back and look straight up from under the dash, but did use a mirror but still can't find it. When you're referring to the front of the dash, is it closer to or farther away from the engine compartment?

    Guess i'm a little leary of disconnecting wires due to the fact of all the airbags in the vehicle (and I don't feel like resetting my radio LOL). Part of me almost is thinking that "Hal" is going to ask me what i'm doing, it's highly irregular, and launch some kind of self-defense mechanism on me :eek:

    I didn't order a flasher yet, but if these turn signal led's are bright enough and visible during the day, I'll most likely order a pair of them for the front and a flasher unit.

    I have a 2010 Gen III Prius V with LED headlights, fog, navigation. No ATP.
     
  14. Gregg Suter

    Gregg Suter Junior Member

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    Gave up on the hunt for the flasher and got some resistors at my local AutoZone and got one of them installed on the left side; getting late so will do the other side tomorrow and not driving anywhere tonight so why bother with the right side for now.

    I'd like to install the front ones too but those will be difficult to get to under the car, and even though I don't use the fog lights, I don't want to install LED's in the same housing as them, which will create too much heat, and void their warranty. Those 3-watt LX3's are bright...they even look good from a distance in sunlight.
     
  15. km3

    km3 New Member

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    Hey guys, I need help. I was installing some new LED map lights today but when I proceeded to pop out the bulbs and replace the new ones, I accidentally pushed the whole piece through and now I can't get them. Is there anyway I can remove that whole piece on the ceiling so I can get to them or what do you recommend?
     
  16. savrip

    savrip Junior Member

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    I did the same thing just yesterday. Take out the two screws in the eyeglass storage bin, and then there are four push in clips attached to the entire fixture that you'll have to just pull out. Try to pull straight down. Mine came out easily.
     
  17. antiflash

    antiflash New Member

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    Update on the Front Headlight Markers (clear bulb above high beam bulb) - both of my clear markers, which I replaced with the WLED-WHP5's, have burned out. One of the WHP5's is completely out, the other is partially out. When I noticed this, I pulled them out and reseated them...but I noticed that it was pretty hot in there. I'm thinking this is related to the LED's poor thermal resistance...and not the LED build quality as my other WHP5's are still running fine.

    I'm going to replace them with some infrared single LED bulbs that I had laying around for now...and order some WLED-CW5's in hopes that the "old style" LED and enclosure is more thermally tolerant.

    Has anyone else had issues with the headlight assembly bulbs going out? I havent checked the orange marker lights as they are too hard to get in/out and arent really critical IMHO...but I'm sure they are suffering similarly...
     
  18. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    I had a flickering issue with the SMD bulbs I bought from superbrightleds.com (not sure about the regular LED bulbs since I haven't switched back to them). I replaced these with a set I bought from eBay, which are also SMD panels but are smaller and doesn't protrude as high into the housing. While they are not as bright, I haven't had any recurring flickering issues with the new set.
     
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yep. My first set of superbrightleds WHP5 blew out (both were partially burned out.. one had 3 burnt, the other had 4 burnt). I just replaced them with another set since I was ordering more and will keep an eye out on this set.
     
  20. jstack

    jstack New Member

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    thanks for the detailed information on the many types of bulbs. Your inforamtion is very helpful