Headlights – PiP base preformance……..

Aftermarket HIDs or do a retrofit to HID projectors.

 

i use the high's whenever possible in deer country, which is 50% of my commute. even so, with 40 mph back roads, a 'bad decision' on the part of a deer is probably gonna be unavoidable.

 

Your problem won't be solved by more light output from HID's as the projector will still cut it off short. You need to check your beam aim and perhaps adjust the passenger side lamp up and perhaps out a bit.

 

check my SIG and thread for my HID setup...many here run them.

Rockerdan's Plug-in thread | PriusChat

Dan

 

Agree. Just put a set of Morimoto 4300k HIDs in the OE headlights and have them aimed properly. A full retrofit would be even better because the really outstanding projectors have a much greater beam width than the OE projectors which would allow you to see much further off to the side of the road. Retrofits are expensive though ($400-$1000).

 

Do you have deer whistles?

 

So I drove a longer trip a couple of nights ago and do have to agree that the stock low beams are not so great. About as good as our newer Volvo with halogen reflectors, but nowhere near as good as my old Volvo with high quality bulbs with their very large reflectors. My previous headlight experience makes me wary of HID drop ins, and a quick check of my usual reputable sources confirms that the same basic issues exist whether one has projectors or reflectors. The focusing system is designed for a particular type of light source and not meant to be retrofitted.

Fortunately the problem here is simple. The H11 bulb has a fairly miserable output of ~1350 lumens, probably chosen because of the long expected lifetime of ~2000 hours. The solution is to use H9 bulbs which can be done with a quick snip of one tab on the base of the new bulbs. These bulbs are rated at ~2300 lumens, although with a lifespan of ~500 hours. I've ordered the new bulbs and will post impressions once I receive them.

 

I'm in the same boat... just replaced my '06 that had HIDs with a PiPB. Drove one night; hated the OEM halogens. Ordered and installed XenonSupply HID kit the next week. Big improvement.

 

H9 is 65 watts instead of 55. The extra heat might cook the housing.

SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 ? 2

 

I'm aware. The change from 55 to 65 watts is marginal, and translates to only 0.5 amps. This is a common substitution, and comes directly from some of the most reputable sources in the automotive lighting business.

 

The root cause might be the sharp cut off rather than lumen output. I had no problem with the 9006 based reflectors on the 2002 Camry. 9006 bulbs are only 1000 lumen each.

Projectors are optimized for city and not rural traffic, to reduce blinding. Even with LEDs, I find the range disappointing, I use high beams as often as I can on the back roads.

SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 ? 2

 

I agree. But for $20 on some bulbs I'm willing to find out.

 

The low beam output on the Base PIP is very poor.
I tried to live with the stock halogen's, but after about a month I went with HID's.
I started with the common 35 watt HID's but eventually settled on the 50 watt Morimoto Elite system which puts out plenty of light.

 

Let us know how it works out.

When I first got the Five I remember thinking damn there are two worlds in front of me. Awesomely lit foreground, and pitch black in front of it, especially if I was coming down a slope. The old reflectors have crappy foreground lighting, but bleeds more into the distance so at least I get a little preview of what is ahead.

Then I realized if I am that concerned with what is ahead, just flick on the highbeams.

 

Are you satisfied with the Morimoto's 50? doesn't it heat up the headlight nice person'y to much? had you observed any plastic's deformation?
Thanks

 

FWIW, I have the same issue with my Advanced LED's. Toyota claims they are "auto level control" but they are not. I've brought up the issue several times to the Service dept only to be told that the lights are leveled correctly. It is too bad.

 

Yes, completely satisfied.
No heat buildup or plastic deformation, the longest I've had them running continuously (the 50 watt HID's and ballasts) was a bit over 60min so there would have been ample time for heat buildup if it was going to happen.
They were a big upgrade over the 35 watt HID's, and a huge upgrade over the OEM halogen bulbs.

 

They are auto level. They level themselves on start up then lock. Put some weight in the back seat then turn the lights on and watch them dip. Turn them off. Remove the weight, turn them back on, and watch them raise.

It is the projectors and the sharp cut off. They are intended for city traffic, not rural.