LED Lighting

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Feb 23 2006, 10:07 PM) [snapback]215704[/snapback]</div>

Actually, it makes sense when you consider that Toyota must be using the interior light assemblies in several different cars. There are already loads of Prius-specific parts now, but it still saves to re-use as many common parts as possible.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Apr 18 2006, 12:13 PM) [snapback]241625[/snapback]</div>

It still doesn't make sense to me when you consider several other choices they made:

The bulbs are ALL different for the door fixtures, the front dome, the rear dome and the cargo dome. Wouldn't it make sense to standardize on these within the SAME vehicle? To source all the interior bulbs for the car is a nightmare of UPC's. The fixtures are all different, and they all require different bulbs!

And then my favorite... they make an expensive Prius-specific EV button... and then change it for 2006 - with new wire connector and everything. All because of a small change in dimension? Don't you think that could have been easily accomodated in the dash instead of making an all-new switch for 2006?

While I applaud many of Toyota's decisions... reducing the unique part count doesn't seem to be on the front burner! They could have made ONE Prius-specific LED interior fixture and used it throughout the car... and on all their other cars. It is time to switch, folks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusguy04 @ Apr 18 2006, 04:48 PM) [snapback]241782[/snapback]</div>

I'm not sure what you don't agree with... but it would cost them an extra couple of dollars, and would save consumers several times more than that over the life of the car. Change just one bulb (or have your battery run down once) and you've recouped the extra cost.

So they borrowed four fixtures from four different cars for convenience? Why not just borrow one if the goal is to simplify? And how does their EV switch redesign fit into this thinking?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 18 2006, 09:46 PM) [snapback]241928[/snapback]</div>

Hey - no joke about LED headlights. They exist, though not in production, of course. But they've made them to meet DOT. The days of hot wires are numbered.

As for the license plate lights - that's an easy one. Can be done for just a few bucks with some imported LED modules snaped into the existing bulb holders. I wouldn't waste money on expensive, super-bright regulated ones for that job. Once I figure out how to remove the back plastic interior trim on the rear hatch, I'll stuff some lights in there and take pictures of what works. So... I'm sure plenty of people have removed that large plastic piece - what's the trick?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 18 2006, 10:44 PM) [snapback]241961[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, I've tried pulling there, and just ended up hurting myself. That stuff has a sharp edge!

No idea what the lexus ones look like, but I highly doubt that they used $15 LEDs and regulating circuits for the license plate lights! I can make them plenty bright for pretty cheap. I've done it to my Rav4EV already and it looks great. about the same amount of light as the incandescent bulbs, but much less yellow!

 

I suppose if they had standardized on one or two fixtures it would have been smarter for both them and the consumer.

But when it comes to a choice between saving money for the company or the consumer, most companies will go with the former. Their bottom line is not affected by your spending for repairs. Sad but true.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Apr 19 2006, 08:25 AM) [snapback]242076[/snapback]</div>

Ah, but your speding for repairs most DEFINITELY affects their bottom line - it makes a profit for the dealer. Dealerships don't make their big bucks by selling cars - they make it on service. Yet another reason why we don't have EVs on the road (no filters, no tuneups, no oil changes....)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 19 2006, 12:53 PM) [snapback]242235[/snapback]</div>

Wow. That almost looks like too much white light in the back to be legal! Certainly no way of telling from the pictures what they used - but that's the tint of light that we'll get with "white" LEDs certainly. Let me see if I can figure out how to get that damn plastic thing off without killing myself.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 19 2006, 03:53 PM) [snapback]242340[/snapback]</div>

No need! I've just made my own. I tried some commercial units and they were "OK." And then I just spent a couple of hours making the perfect ones. It only remains to be seen if I can now fit them back into the holes!

A word of caution - once you get that hatch interior panel off (damn-near impossible, but it does "just" pull off) the manual shows a clockwise rotation for the bulb holders. BS. Counterclockwise to remove! Will have pictures at some point....

 

Okey doke. I built the page for the LED license plate lights. Lexus has nothing on me, baby!

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

 

Darrell -

Regarding those plastic clips that hold the panel in place that you had trouble with, I can sympathize!

My old Neon had those for all the door panels, and many of the panels in my Chevy Astro have them as well. Like you said, plan on breaking a few over the life of your car -- have spares handy.

A trick I learned after a few speaker replacements to make getting these panels off easier:

If you are pulling on large areas of the panel, then you are fighting against several clips. The trick is to wedge some kind of prying tool (a plastic spatula handle won't be prone to scratching your paint or the panel) and work just one part of the panel, "snapping" one clip at a time.

Haven't tried removing any panels on our Prius yet, so YMMV.

- Bob R.

PS... Auto parts stores often stock bags of generic clips designed to fit various manufacturers. Carry in one of your Prius clips and see if there is a match... much cheaper than ordering them individually through a dealer parts dept.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 22 2006, 01:33 PM) [snapback]243733[/snapback]</div>

Odd. Then why does my wife just think I'm crazy? I guess I'm just misunderstood.

Definitely not brighter than the (dim) tails, but brighter than it was, that's for cerain. Whiter too!

No... yank stright out. You're trying to pull those pins directly OUT of the rear hatch. I guess if the hatch is all the way up, you'd be pulling down... you get the idea.

1. I'm not going to spend an hour and $20 building something that can be purchased for $3.
2. In an attempt to go the easy route, I've purchased TONS of these imports.
3. Uh... I DID make my own. That's what's pictured NEXT to the imports that didn't work as well.

From me... for $417 each.

 

They also stock a $6 tool designed to remove the clips. It looks like tiny spatula with a screwdriver handle AND it has a notch in the flat spatula part. You jam the spatula part notch around the clip and it compresses the sides.

I haven't tried it on my Pruis yet, but it worked great on the door panels of my honda. Sure beats the heck out of broken clips and panels.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bobr1 @ Apr 22 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]243740[/snapback]</div>

Good advice. This isn't my first panel either, so I'm aware of the multi-clip problem. However... when you get started, you have no idea where those dang things are, and you just have to keep yanking until SOMETHING gives. Then you can start to figure out what to do next. I had to peek in there with a flashlight several times.

Good thought! Heck, they might even work better! The clips on my Rav4 are just right. They hold firm, but pop right out with a gentle tug. These clips on the Prius are just plain wrong!