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

LED Bulbs for my 2008

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by N3FOL, Nov 25, 2009.

Page 6 of 7
  1. boppo

    boppo Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2009
    799
    138
    0
    Location:
    Owego, NY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yes would like to see some pic of them.
    Thanks
     
    #101 boppo, Mar 2, 2010
  2. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    891
    16
    0
    Location:
    Stewartstown, PA.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Use a small screwdriver (flathead) and carefully pry off the corners. Usually one corner will do it and it will fall open just don't force it if it wouldn't move....try the other corner. :cool:
     
    #102 N3FOL, Mar 7, 2010
  3. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    891
    16
    0
    Location:
    Stewartstown, PA.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    No on the amber. I plan to change the license tag lights to LED. So your saying to remove that huge plastic cover on the hatch from the inside? Sounds complicated to simply install small bulbs...:eek:
     
    #103 N3FOL, Mar 7, 2010
  4. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    891
    16
    0
    Location:
    Stewartstown, PA.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    You are better off ordering Amber LEDs with the amber lens. The result will be much brighter real deep amber color.
     
    #104 N3FOL, Mar 7, 2010
  5. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    891
    16
    0
    Location:
    Stewartstown, PA.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I installed the 9 LED for the rear and went for the 5 LED for the front. I do love those LEDs...just want to figure out an easy way to get to those license tag bulbs for replacement.
     
    #105 N3FOL, Mar 7, 2010
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,834
    16,072
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yup, that's why for the Gen 3, they gave us little access panels for the licence plate lights so that we don't have to take out the entire plastic cover. (Take a look at your 2010 Blue Ribbon).

    Just make sure to snap all the pins back when you re-install the plastic cover. You wouldn't want the cover to come down when you're using the interior grab handle to close the hatch!

    P.S. Has anyone figured out how to install LED indicators/turn signals on the 2010? I've read about the load resistor for the Gen 2 but haven't heard if there's one that'll work for the Gen 3 (plus which bulb). Any comments would be appreciated! TIA!
     
    #106 Tideland Prius, Mar 7, 2010
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    Well that's what I also thought, until tonight. I bought the top 4 ideas. A OEM 194 bulb, a Autoillumination 9 LED Amber bulb, a Autoillumination 9 LED White bulb, and a WLED WHP5 from superbrightleds.com. Here are shots of all 4 bulbs, look and decide yourself.. Very cloudy day, sunset, camera on automatic, with tripod!

    [​IMG]

    Standard 194 bulb. Approx 3200 K 25 lumins, 3 watts

    [​IMG]

    9 Amber LED Autoillumination bulb, Approx 595 K, ? ma. I draw

    [​IMG]

    9 White LED Autoillumination bulb Approx 5600 K ? ma. I draw

    [​IMG]

    WLED-WHP5 superbrightleds.com. Approx 5500 K 35 ma. draw 75000mcd, Approximate luminous flux: 942 lumens.
    They also make a 9 LED Bulb 35 ma. draw that has Approximate luminous flux: 1,884 lumens
    As a point of reference, a standard 100W light bulb typically is rated at around 1,700 lumens.

    Note that supebright has a note on the package DO NOT install in headamp housings, unit will fail at 185 degrees...we will see!!!

    Hopefully these pics show the relatve brightness of the bulbs compared to each other. I personally like the WHP5, it is the bightest. We will see how long it lasts!!! The Orange 9 LED was a bit more true in color, but much dimmer.
     
    #107 KK6PD, Mar 8, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  8. Goolash

    Goolash Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    36
    6
    0
    Location:
    SE Idaho, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok, so I'm interested in trying this, but would like to make sure I have this all straight: 1) LEDs are more energy efficient and brighter than the replaced incandescents. 2) Because of the energy efficiency, the stock flasher module causes them to flash too rapidly, since it is expecting a higher resistance in the oscillator circuit. 3) Using a load resistor will destroy the admittedly small increase in energy efficiency, and also possibly create un-needed waste heat near the circuitry. 4) A flasher module from superbrightleds is a drop-in replacement for the stock module, and eliminates the need for a load resistor. 5) The other constant-on lights, do not require load resistors, and the reduction in load will not cause an excessive current issue.
     
    #108 Goolash, Mar 10, 2010
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,834
    16,072
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Sounds about right to me.
     
    #109 Tideland Prius, Mar 10, 2010
  10. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    By George, I think he's got it!!!
     
    #110 KK6PD, Mar 10, 2010
  11. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    2,705
    510
    63
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    Great shots! Thank you very much! :)

    I think the shots are successful not only because the camera was on a tripod, but also the framing is set such that the LEDs are off center and occupy only a small area of the image frame. This minimizes the effect of the varying LEDs on the auto exposure. Very clever! :thumb:
     
    #111 2009Prius, Mar 10, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  12. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    I have a Gen III and installed the white WHP5's for the parking lights (above headlights) and above the license frame. I also took a chance of having them fail. Was driving home the other day and idled behind a truck, saw that my left side parking light was flickering a bit. When I got home, I check the bulb and saw that one of the SMD panels failed to light up. I immediately went to check out the ones above my license plate, and the same thing happened to the left side bulb. The other SMDs on the bulb still work, so they are still plenty bright... but one of these days I'm sure they will all give out. I'm now on the hunt for LEDs that can withstand the temps and constant on application.
     
    #112 HI MPG, Mar 10, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    I was wondering about that, try the Autoillumination.com 9 LED White bulbs, they run cooler, and if my set of WLED5's go, I already have a backup set on hand. They were just a tad bit dimmer, but a real close match!!!

    Thanks for the heads up, I will keep an eye on mine!!!
     
    #113 KK6PD, Mar 10, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  14. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thank you for the recommendation. I still have a set of the traditional 5 diode LEDs, but as you know and tested, they do not light up as brightly. If the WHP5s fail completely, I have those as backup.
     
    #114 HI MPG, Mar 10, 2010
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,834
    16,072
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    This is the one from superbrightleds?? Hmm... maybe I should check mine. I know my red ones were flickering due to cold temps (only one). The others worked fine even in -20°C
     
    #115 Tideland Prius, Mar 10, 2010
  16. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    According to the specs, you still had another -10°C to go....B'rrrr


    WLED-xHP5

    Operating Temperature Range: -30°Cto+85°C ---
    Storage Temperature Range: -40°C to +100°C --- Up to 40,000 hour life span WLED-WHP5 White
    9~14.5 VOLT
    35MA
    15000 MCD
    5500K
     
    #116 KK6PD, Mar 10, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  17. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Re: Leds in Front Amber Lights

    Yup, these are the ones from superbrightleds. I was a bit disappointed when it happened, but then again, they did warn against using them within enclosed confines.

    I can't even begin to imagine how cold that is... guess I'm spoiled by sunny So. Cal. :)
     
    #117 HI MPG, Mar 10, 2010
  18. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey, HI_MPG...

    HINT...-30°C = -22°F 0°C = 32°F

    It's the other reason I left Wisconsin:D
     
    #118 KK6PD, Mar 10, 2010
  19. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Yeah, I left Illinois a long time ago (when the only wheels getting me around was my bicycle) and haven't missed the cold, snowy winters since... although I did enjoy the changing of the colors during autumn. Nowadays, if I want snow and cold, I just drive up to Mammoth.

    Back to topic, how is your search coming along with the LED light bar? I was also thinking about adding that Audi LED running light look to mine but am still undecided about it. My wife already thinks I'm obsessed for changing all the interiors lights to LED in both of our Prii. Obviously she isn't as car-crazed as I am...
     
    #119 HI MPG, Mar 11, 2010
  20. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I found a nice set here,

    New!!! Xenon White Hella Style High Power LEDayLine LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) Kit

    They will fit next to the Driving Lights, are quite bright, I just have to remove the lower grill and cut a couple of slots into it to mount the assemblies.
    I am waiting for A-Warmer weather, and B, a weekend without rain.....I have plugged them in, they are quite bright and will drop to half brightness if you apply +12 to the accessory wire. I think they will do the trick!!!
    Pics when it happens!!
     
    #120 KK6PD, Mar 11, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 6 of 7