Factory LED Headlights & LED Kits?

It wasn't bad--ordered the appropriate connectors from a guy in Japan (make sure you get the right ones, 2010-2011 and 2012-2015 are different IIRC) so you can have working parking lights and headlights. Then it's plug and play.

 

I'm interested in the conversion you did. Can you please post the parts list you used (I would have to change it for a 2010)? I am so very tired of the very dim headlights on my 2010 Prius 2 - no matter what bulbs I have tried.

 

In case someone need this information, the interior lights need the following LEDs:
8 x W5W, 2 x C3W (1 x 31, 1 x 28 mm - this may be tricky)
In details:
- map light: 2 x W5W (5W)
- dome light: 1 x C3W (8W)
- courtesy door light: 2 x W5W (5W)
- vanity mirror light: 2 x W5W (8W)
- luggage compartment light: 1 x C3W (5W)
- license plate light: 2 x W5W (5W)

 

One more comment, as above written, poor quality LEDs have short lifetime. When it uses resistor only to reduce the voltage, that is a sign of short lifetime.
I’m using Osram LEDs for interior lights and those have a chip to provide appropriate current for the LED. This means the kit of LED may cost the same as one W5W LED.
I’m pretty sure not only Osram uses chip.
Based on that you can decide to replace LEDs often or pay more for that - basically you get what you paid for.
Prius doesn’t use CANbus for monitoring the regular bulbs, so no need to pay for that compatibility - which probably mean additional shunt resistor.

 

You can start with The Retrofit Source which has a options for the Prius....if you scroll down in the link you'll find options for interior and exterior LED's. I just placed an order to test a few option on my 2011. I'm in the process of retrofitting a set of new OEM lights with HID projectors but have been extremely happy with the LED GTR Ultra bulbs I'm running until the HID's are finished. I've retrofitted more than 30 pairs of Lexus LX470's headlights so its something I'm comfortable tackling..... without that experience I'd run these GTR Ultra's ...the light output is a huge improvement over the halogens and the fact they are in the factory projectors... you have a cutoff so you're not blinding on coming traffic.

The Retrofit Source | 2013 Toyota Prius with Halogen Headlights

 

You do get the extra light output above the cutoff from what some call squirrel finders..the factory projector has two holes built in. The first output is high beam second is low.
Good luck with your new Prius and if you ever want to talk lights send me a PM

Lou

 

I have experienced this same issue with LED bulbs in my house.

 

The drivers in some dimmable LED lamps will work with any dimmer while others require a dimmer designed for LED lamps. This explanation from leapfrog lighting may help.

Figure 1: Trailing edge. Source: Shuttle Lighting
Leading edge dimmers (aka “triac dimmers” or “incandescent dimmers”):

• The electrical current (sinusoidal signal) is turned off at the front of the AC input waveform immediately after the zero crossing
• Traditionally used for incandescent lamps or magnetic low voltage transformers
• Produces a quick inrush of voltage into the load every half cycle which leads to a high inrush current into the electronic components of the LED lamp
• Causes buzzing sound when dimmed (though buzzing is not always perceptible and is dependent on many different factors, such as lamp design and number of lamps on a circuit. Even the dimmer itself, such as whether it allows dimming level adjustments and its minimum load requirements).

Figure 2: Leading edge. Source: Shuttle Lighting

Trailing edge dimmers are a better fit for LED lamps. However, because LED retrofit lamps are more likely to be installed on existing dimmers used for incandescent or halogen lamps, many manufacturers design and test their LED lamps to be compatible with leading edge dimmers.

So the short answer as to whether our PAR lamps work with trailing edge or leading edge dimmers is that they work with both. However, we’ve gone through great lengths to test with many different dimmers and only claim compatibility with those tested dimmers, even though they’ve been found to work with quite a few others.


If you are concerned about dimmability of your LED lamp with your existing dimmers, always consult the manufacturer’s product datasheets or contact the manufacturer directly. They should be able to provide you with test reports indicating compatibility.

This may also be the problem with the low voltage lamps my Odyssey. Why it takes months for the flickering to become so annoying is a puzzle.

 

Ups, posted by mistake.