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DRL - LED Design

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by SAronian, Apr 7, 2013.

  1. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Anyone discovered the logic behind designing LED Daytime Running Lights with 6 individual lenses but only 4 LEDs?

    Doesn't it look like some aftermarket hack job? One lens is only showing half way through the plastic frame.

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 SAronian, Apr 7, 2013
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    the 10s and 11s had what appeard to be LEDs in the headlight housings but they were not... cruel
     
    #2 spiderman, Apr 7, 2013
  3. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Probably just to give some style to the DRL lamp shape.
     
    #3 El Dobro, Apr 7, 2013
  4. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Thank you, that's very interesting. That's a good insight into how Toyota optimizes parts and costs.
     
    #4 SAronian, Apr 7, 2013
  5. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Simply Aesthetics ☺
     
    #5 mrbigh, Apr 8, 2013
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yea! makes me warm and fuzzy!
    But they do look nice.
     
    #6 retired4999, Apr 8, 2013
  7. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    that's funny.. never noticed it and I was just thinking of modifying it to have a only a single column light up so it looks like a line.
     
    #7 Sfcyclist, Apr 8, 2013
  8. 4everS2K

    4everS2K Junior Member

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    Having 2 on out of 4 would be perfect if combined with the headlights on!!!
     
    #8 4everS2K, Apr 26, 2013
  9. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Logic? Cost savings... 4 works so why add more is probably the philosophy internally.
     
    #9 Paradox, Apr 26, 2013
  10. CygnusX-1

    CygnusX-1 Junior Member

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    Maybe when they first designed the mechanical housing, they thought they might need 6 LEDs. Then after building the prototype, the realized that they only needed 4. Or maybe LED technology improved such that they only needed 4. WooHoo built-in cost reduction...
     
    #10 CygnusX-1, Apr 26, 2013
  11. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :confused:Most would assume there's six LEDs. When the LEDs are on, it makes sense to me they used only four. They are about the size of a fog light and the six LED shape might not look right. I use my LEDs everyday and I like the look. Audi started the LED look and almost everyone does it now. Biased, but I like the LED look on my 2011 Lexus IS the best.

    [​IMG]
     
    #11 -1-, Apr 27, 2013
  12. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Those 4 DRL LEDs are pretty bright. It does it's job.

    To be honest, I didn't release only 4 of them light up until you pointed out.
     
    #12 usbseawolf2000, Apr 29, 2013
  13. Rezar1

    Rezar1 Junior Member

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    Is there anyway to have the DRL on at the same time as the headlights? I like them much better than the fog lights.
     
    #13 Rezar1, Apr 30, 2013
  14. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    Yea I wish they were always on as well, not sure why there is even a point to having the ability to turn off DRLs, my other Toyota doesn't have this feature, and almost every PiP I see on the road is running around with them turned off (even my wife doesn't realize that DRLs aren't on when in switch is in the OFF position).
     
    #14 Electric Charge, Apr 30, 2013
  15. Chris_SoCal

    Chris_SoCal Junior Member

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    I never really looked at them that closely.
    Now I feel I need to find some parts to activate the other 2 Positions in each assembly...
     
    #15 Chris_SoCal, Apr 30, 2013
  16. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    #16 Sfcyclist, Apr 30, 2013
  17. Chris_SoCal

    Chris_SoCal Junior Member

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    Some weekend when I have time I will pull my board out and see if it could support the requirements of another LED or 2. (I am sure this board has some spare power capability present) I may not be able to find the exact matching array they use in the existing 4 positions but I have some cutting edge surface mount devices that are astoundingly bright for very low power consumption. Maybe I can rig something up and post pictures.
     
    #17 Chris_SoCal, Apr 30, 2013
  18. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    With LED parts readily available, might be easier to build a new assembly all together! These are fairly powerful though.
     
    #18 Sfcyclist, Apr 30, 2013
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