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HID Headlights

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by bens1088, Apr 21, 2012.

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  1. bens1088

    bens1088 Junior Member

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    Lights and Cameras

    Hey guys,
    I used Dapper Lighting brand bulbs as well as OEM Denso HID Ballasts (the same used on all Toyota/Lexus) vehicles. I also used a custom harness to eliminate the flickering/bulb out issues on other Prius models.

    Works flawlessly! Zero errors on the computer as well as no flickering. I tried to attach some pictures of them installed. Sorry for the bad quality. The cutoff is VERY sharp with no blinding what so ever. I'll try and take some night shots when it gets dark.

    I am also working on a plug and play back up camera system. I'll keep you guys updated!
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 bens1088, Apr 21, 2012
  2. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

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    i just installed a regular less than $100 HID kit and it works fine as well.

    besides the brand, i'm trying to figure out why someone would want to spend $300.
    i haven't seen any problems or errors.. nor why would there be one on the computer for headlights?
     
    #2 SquallLHeart, Apr 21, 2012
  3. bens1088

    bens1088 Junior Member

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    It's the OEM Denso ballasts. They are waaaay higher quality than any aftermarket HID kit. To each his own though. I used to run $25 kits on my Civic. I'd keep a spare ballast/bulb in the glovebox: blow a ballast/bulband just toss in a replacement. Just an option for people who wanted OEM HIDs. I wish they would have made it an option. PS the OEM ballasts typically last 7-10 years and aftermarket last 2-4 (from my experiences).

    On lots of cars the computers will say a bulb is out because an HID kit draws less power than a halogen. I installed a kit on the 2011 regular prius and it wouldn't stop flickering. The cheaper ballasts will flicker and the OEM ones will auto shutoff to prevent damage to the ballast/bulb. I didn't test the C if it flickered or gave a computer error. Better safer than sorry IMO.
     
    #3 bens1088, Apr 21, 2012
  4. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    I am very interested in the backup camera system!! Please update as soon as you have something. I would imagine an easy to install backup camera system would be very popular in the C community.

    -M
     
    #4 managerman, Apr 21, 2012
  5. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    Could you link to the kit you bought for 100.00...?

    Thanks,

    -M
     
    #5 managerman, Apr 21, 2012
  6. bens1088

    bens1088 Junior Member

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    We're working with some people trying to get the wiring schematics on head unit so we can send it off to be made. I'll post up updates as we go along.
     
    #6 bens1088, Apr 21, 2012
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  7. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    anyone know the "temp" (or K value, whiteness) of the factory halogen projectors on the C? Love my HIDs on my '04...wondering if the C will compare in stock form or should I look to aftermarket?
     
    #7 finman, Apr 21, 2012
  8. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

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    #8 SquallLHeart, Apr 21, 2012
    3 people like this.
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Aftermar ket ballasts are not really a problem but cheap aftermarket bulbs are. Cheap Chinese ballasts tend to have larger voltage spikes at start up and may overshoot compared to OEM ballasts but for the price they are pretty good. Since you don't really have a good OEM bulb option (D2S) the best you can do is something like the Xenon Depot or Morimoto bulbs which work well, have reliable color and a great warranty. Burning out bulbs really isn't an issue with these bulbs compared to the cheap $15 Chinese bulbs.

    I understand that the OP is trying to make a sales pitch and OE Denso ballasts are good but I place a greater importance on the bulbs. The wiring harness is only $15 from The Retrofit Source. Their entire Morimoto Elite kit is only $150 which includes the harness, fantastic customer service, and a good warranty.
     
    #9 F8L, Apr 21, 2012
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  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    They don't compare to HID color temp well but they would be in the mid 3000K range if they did. Maybe 3800K?

    OEM HIDs are 4100k to 4300k. As the OE bulbs age they color shift to a whiter then bluer color and lose Lumens. That is why it is recommend to replace bulbs in pairs.

    A good HID kit in the c should easily outperform the OE HIDs in the GenII Prius.
     
    #10 F8L, Apr 21, 2012
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  11. bens1088

    bens1088 Junior Member

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    Could you PM me the diagrams?

    Edited my post. I didn't mean to make it sound like a sales pitch. More like a pitch for OEM quality.
     
    #11 bens1088, Apr 21, 2012
  12. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    It would be great if there was a way to use the 6.5" screen in my C3 with an added back up camera. The same 6.5" Entune unit seems to work fine with the backup camera in the Prius Liftback...

    -M
     
    #12 managerman, Apr 21, 2012
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ben, no worries man. If you are running a business then I totally understand advertising it, especially if it helps the members of this forum. I just feel a sense of duty to the members here. If I know something works or doesn't work then I should post about it. I hope you didn't take offense to my post. Having many options for a product and upgrade is a good thing. :)
     
    #13 F8L, Apr 21, 2012
  14. crebble

    crebble Member

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    I just installed the Prius H11 6000K kit from Xenonsupply:

    Toyota Prius HID Xenon Low Beam Package Deal

    Use coupon code Facebook10 and the total is $116.99.

    Piece of cake install. They have a very good "how-to" video on YouTube. The C has much less space under the hood compared to the GEN III in the video. The biggest challenge was hiding the wires neatly. 6000K is a lot more blue than I expected. Shining on the grass, it makes everything weirdly bright green If I had to do it over, I would have chosen the 4300K kit.

    XenonSupply Prius HID install
     
    #14 crebble, Apr 22, 2012
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  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Hmm... if that's the case, I hope I don't have to replace the (factory) ballasts on my 06 Prius in the next 1-4 years
     
    #15 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2012
  16. crebble

    crebble Member

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    The OEM bulbs are OSRAM H11 64211. 3200K.

    I have them sitting next to me in a box...


    OSRAM ORIGINAL LINE

    I found them lacking compared to the HIDs I had in my last 2 vehicles.
     
    #16 crebble, Apr 22, 2012
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  17. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    Thanks for the info. Did you need the relay?

    -M
     
    #17 managerman, Apr 22, 2012
  18. crebble

    crebble Member

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    No relay required. They are CAN-Bus ballasts. I just hooked up the supplied harness. No flicker.
     
    #18 crebble, Apr 22, 2012
  19. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

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    Thanks! Ordered!

    -M
     
    #19 managerman, Apr 22, 2012
  20. bens1088

    bens1088 Junior Member

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    Does anyone live in the Chicago area? I know a guy who can setup these camera kits for us. He needs a test car though.
     
    #20 bens1088, Apr 23, 2012
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