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Halogen to HID or LED

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ThatOddMan, May 5, 2022.

  1. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    Mine has halogen headlight bulbs. Can I just swap the halogen bulbs with HID bulbs or perhaps LED? Like simply removing the halogen bulb and insert the HID bulb or LED .
     
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    HID bulbs also require ballasts. One on each side for each bulb.

    LED bubs are often much larger around the base of the bulb due to heat sinks/cooling fins, and sometimes fans. You're going to have to make sure that you have enough room for them.

    That said, I have been using 35w AC HID bulbs (4500K color temp) in our 2011 Prius hatchback for many years without problems. Also, same setup in a 2010 Toyota Camry.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I'd go with good quality LED lamps.

    I've had HID's installed in my older cars; nothing but issues.- but it was mainly the ballast resistors blowing out. If you install HIDs; you'll need to double check your OEM wiring; it needs to be able to handle the additional current draw. The safest route would be to install a HID lamp harness w/60Amp relay tapped directly to your battery; of course it also needs to be fused properly. You can also avoid the ballast resistors blowing out by sourcing OEM resistors from a newer car, that came stock with HIDs. The OEM ballast resistors, hardly ever blows out. Usually about $100 each; when I looked into them several years ago. That's when I switched to LEDs; the quality and light output was almost equivalent to HIDs - and a cheaper alternative with less hassles.
    I installed LEDs in my old 2012 PriusC. It was plug-n-play. You'll need to watch the polarity when hooking them up. Standard incandescent lamps don't care which side the positive or negative comes in on; but the LEDs does.

    Hope this helps.

    PS: HID's can melt your plastic headlamp housing. It puts out a lot of heat and a 2014 does have a plastic housing.
     
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  4. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    H7 standard bulbs in “bright white” frequency every time. Tried halogen - overheated and lasted 6 months before blowing.
     
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  5. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone.
     
  6. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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