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LED or Xenon Headlight

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by uPredict, Mar 21, 2012.

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  1. formula

    formula Member

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    I use slim ballast and high voltage extension cable.


    two of the slim ballasts are mount on a bracket. I mounted them on the engine cover. there is a bolthole that I can use.
     
    #21 formula, Mar 31, 2012
  2. hpiracer

    hpiracer New Member

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    Any updates/pictures/videos of the latest installs people said they would perform?
     
    #22 hpiracer, Apr 13, 2012
  3. beerme

    beerme Repeat Offender

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    After doing some research, I decided not to do the HID thing- the cheap kits are too unreliable and I'm not in the mood to spend the money for a decent set up.

    I elected to give the Sylania Silverstar Ultra bulb a try. They retail for about $50 per set at Walmart, but I found a couple of sets on Fleabay for $20 each. I can say that there is a major improvement over the OEM halogens and I'm quite happy with the bulbs.

    Lifespan? I've read that some people reported that they don't last even a year, but I was very careful not to touch the bulbs with my skin, so hopefully they'll last as long as possible.
     
    #23 beerme, Apr 14, 2012
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Unfortunately I think you may have made a bad choice. :( The Silverstars and other high output halogens have an even worse track record and life expectancy than cheap HID kits. If you decide to switch later on but want to stay cheap then try an HID kit from DDM. They run about $50-$70 total and will last longer than high output halogens.

    I'll cross my fingers for you. :)
     
    #24 F8L, Apr 14, 2012
  5. beerme

    beerme Repeat Offender

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    I actually ran some Silverstar bulbs (not the Ultras) on my truck. Lasted 4+ years. Sold the truck before I ever had to replace them.

    My concern for the cheapo HID kits isn't the bulbs, it's the ballasts.
     
    #25 beerme, Apr 14, 2012
  6. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    I've never had a problem with the ballasts on the cheap Ebay HID kits (the only kind I buy). Maybe I've been lucky, but I've purchased some 5 or 6 kits in the last 5 years or so and never a problem with the ballasts or the bulbs.

    The kit I bought for the c was $33, delivered. If it craps out, for some reason, I'll simply put the stock bulbs, that I took out, back in the car, which I don't expect to do. Lol, I have a box full of stock bulbs that I've taken out my vehicles... quite a collection. :D
     
    #26 kkim, Apr 14, 2012
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Here's mine showing the cutoff.

    [​IMG]

    They're ok. Mine lasted 10-11 months but it's because I used it in the Gen 2 Prius that had the dual filament setup and because Canada requires DRLs, the low beam at reduced intensity was used (typical of dual-filament setup. Dual-bulb setups would use the high beam at reduced intensity).


    I prefer the Phillips X-Treme Power. It trades some of the whiteness found on the Silverstars for a brighter light but again, similar lifespan.
     
    #27 Tideland Prius, Apr 14, 2012
  8. beerme

    beerme Repeat Offender

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    I must say those HID's do look mighty fine! Yeah, I guess I've been reading too much about the different kits. I've never installed any aftermarket HID system before, so I personally have no experience on what is good or bad. But I have used the Silverstars before and I had no complaints- they gave enough light for my liking. I guess it's about what you feel comfortable with.
     
    #28 beerme, Apr 14, 2012
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah. This is the first time I've installed an HID kit as well. I was nervous to start but the good guys here helped with diagrams that I could follow and how to mount the ballasts and where to ground it. I've used Silverstars (not the Ultras, just the regular ones) and the Phillips X-Treme Power from powerbulb_dot_com (free shipping to US/Canada for most bulbs).

    This being my first, I will be monitoring it and keeping an eye on how it performs. We do have long winters here (in the dead of winter, it's dark from 4pm to 9ish am) so that's one reason why I wanted better lighting.
     
    #29 Tideland Prius, Apr 14, 2012
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  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The c doesn't have projector lamps???
     
    #30 F8L, Apr 14, 2012
  11. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    C has projector beam headlamp perfect for hid. I've been very happy with my set up. Even if you don't have a lot of under hood experience if you can follow directions, the whole installation should only take 30-45 minutes.
     
    #31 Lenwood, Apr 15, 2012
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  12. Redcap32

    Redcap32 Junior Member

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    I went with the Sylverstar Ultras. I work at a parts store so they are easily accessable to me. I could not stand the yellow of the original bulbs and changed them first day I had the car. Sylvania does have a 1 year guarentee on their Silverstar bulbs, if you buy it at a parts store and keep the invoice should not have a problem with any warranty, leave it in the glove box. Ultras are $50 a pair.
     
    #32 Redcap32, Apr 15, 2012
  13. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    I put hid in for the headlamp and led,s in the small headlamp marker, then I put yellow nokias in the hi beam/drl looks really cool and work well in the SFO fog!
     
    #33 Lenwood, Apr 15, 2012
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Whoops, I had a picture of the new Yaris headlight when I wrote that. The c does have projectors.
     
    #34 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2012
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  15. d1morgj0

    d1morgj0 Junior Member

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    Do you have pics of what it looks like post changes??
     
    #35 d1morgj0, Apr 15, 2012
  16. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    I'll get some picks up Monday night. My nice person is whooped tonight sit tight!
     
    #36 Lenwood, Apr 16, 2012
  17. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    Lenwood,

    Can you post a link to the HID kit you you got on Ebay?...I think I am up to the challenge of installing them....Also a link to the LED bulb for the parking lamp....any install photos would be great too...

    Thanks!

    -M
     
    #37 managerman, Apr 16, 2012
  18. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    Hid kit was not from eBay but a guy who distributes and does installation out of his home in San Lorenzo ca. T&r lighting. He is on the web.the led lights are 194 I believe. The drl hi beams are 9005 nokya yellows. Most good hid kits have the same connectors as the factory there is just a ballast between the bulb and wire harness coming from the car.you just need a good spot to mount the ballast. Like I said really easy to do. As far as the light color, I wouldn't go any higher than 6000k. In fact 4300k or 5000k are nice and white. My 6000k kit has a bluish tint.
     

    Attached Files:

    #38 Lenwood, Apr 17, 2012
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  19. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    #39 Lenwood, Apr 18, 2012
  20. gsantos

    gsantos Junior Member

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    Hi! Your lights look great! I have a question... I recently installed HID plug & play for the low beams and it works fine but I noticed a low buzzing almost continuous beeping sound coming from the ballast when I turn it on is this normal? It's my first install.
     
    #40 gsantos, Apr 21, 2012
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