My Backup lights are not always sufficient

I think the backup lights on the Prius are as good or better than any I have had on previous cars (US and German). That doesn't mean a little more brightness wouldn't be nice.

One easy approach is to tweak the lamps. You might consider the Raybrig R132 lamps from Sigma. They are 27W, where I think the originals are 24W so I don't expect much of a problem from increased heat. It's not like you drive around with them on all the time. See http://www.sigmaauto.com/jdm/prius/prius0405.php and look along the right hand edge about 1/2 way down.

I have no experience with these lamps but have been satisfied with other stuff from Sigma.

- Tom

 

You want to see BAD backup lights....check out what is on the Lexus RX400h. It almost seems like there are NO lights on for backing up and the camera looks almost black. Useless and one of our biggest complaints on an otherwise nice car!

 

Did you ever think about using LED replacement bulbs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Bulbs-744...sspagenameZWDVW

They are brighter (while still at 24W) and last longer.

P.S. Prius use 7440 for backup lights

 

Are you sure those are 24W? It looks like they just use 9 regular white 5mm LED's.
It probably means that the light output is close or equivalent to the origional 24W bulb.
5mm LED's usually can handle about 1/2 watt each so I'd say the acutal wattage of the LED reverse bulb is around 4.5 watts. But for $2.99 a pair I say buy them and let us know how good they are.

 

In the future I might experiment with a few star emitters.

Maybe someone(darrell) will have more info about how easy that sort of project would be? B)

 

"USHDSTORE" could use a bit of work in the writing/presetation
department... caveat emptor, I suppose.
.
Do mainstream auto parts stores carry decent LED replacements
these days? I haven't gone shopping in a while..
.
_H*

 

Since I have never used it before, the desciption probably means it is 24W compatible, not that the LEDs consume 24W. I tried to find the detailed spec but in vain. You're probably right since I couldn't imagine 9 LEDs consuming 24W.

 

Guys -

Please learn from my past experience. There has not yet been a drop-in LED "bulb" module that is anywhere near as "bright" as the factory bulbs for brakes or signals. Bright is in quotes because they CAN be brighter, then you won't appear brighter. I've been building automotive LED bulbs for a bit now, and have determined that the only way to make one bright enough is to build it myself. There is ONE reason why these bulbs can be advertised as "as bright" or "brighter" than the factory bulbs, and yet still appear less bright.

** The reflector system in the vehicle is designed for an incandescent (almost spherical output) bulb. While we can make LED bulbs that output more total light, that is all but meaningless when placed inside the reflector that was not designed for the LEDs. I have many hundred$ of "the brightest LED replacement bulbs available" here that prove my point. Yup, they output more. No, the lights don't look anywhere near as bright. For an LED replacement to work well, the entire optic system needs to be redesigned. As the Prius makes obvious - if you design around LEDs, then you can do great things. But trying to adapt an LED into an incandescent fixture is a frustrating experience at best. And in the modern times, it is that much harder because the light fixtures are molded, and your only access is through that tiny bulb hole.

My advice (that I don't follow myself, but I offer it anyway) is to give up on LED replacements for signal lights and wait until the automotive world catches up to reality. Interior lights are a different story. That I'm working on right now!

 

Thanks for clarifying that Darell. I'd hate to have to modify the reflector housings just to get the LED's to work properly. Let us know how the interior lighting project goes

 

Is it just me or aren't backup lights intended as warning to other drivers that your car is reverse. Not as rearward facing head lights?

 

They're used for both reasons. If not to also light your way, how the heck to you safely reverse at night? Get a helper with a flashlight? Ride the brakes?

 

Yes... obviously the fixture needs to be designed around LEDs in the first place, and then there's no stopping us.

As for interior lighting, things are moving along pretty well. Stand by for pictures...

Oops, wait. Don't want to derail this thread. I'll start a new thread eventually.

 

Ok... here the front dome prototype... but I'll save the rest for another thread.

http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_front_dome.htm

 

I would like to get some LED push in style to replace the 3 bulbs in my 02 windstrs 3rd brake light.. do they make them? The ones inther now look like over sized instriment panel lites...

 

Niceeee!

It looks like it would lite to car up better!

Ok when do you put them on the market lol

 

Just as soon as I can figure out how to make them for less than I'm planning on charging!

 

Would this work only for the main dome light or would it also work as a replacement for the map reading lights? I'd prefer not to tinker with the dome light, especially with the loss of the fadeout function. But reading lights can use a boost in brightness and don't have the fade function.