The Prius Experiment

[Blacktree]

I haven't bought any coroplast yet. It's on the to-do list.

BTW, here's a photo I took during twilight. The car now has LED headlights and fog lights. And "pizza pans 2.0" are holding up really well. Do you think I should paint them? They're bare aluminum.



I also had a couple license plates made up, with my youtube channel logo. One went on the Prius, and one on the BMW. Florida doesn't do front license plates. I figure I should do some advertising, considering all the work that goes into making videos.

Edit to add: Cool weather has come to Florida. When summer came to Florida this year, the weather change was pretty abrupt. Like Mother Nature just flipped a light switch. The change from summer to fall was just as abrupt.

On the plus side, that means I can drive with the a/c off and the windows closed. So for example, I can do some coast-down testing. Like mentioned previously, I'd like to coast-down test the existing ecomods. Then I can start on the next round of mods (a belly pan, and maybe rear wheel spats).

That said, I have lots of other things going on. So it may take awhile. For example, I need to refurbish my bike, and upgrade my desktop computer. Plus, an old frenemy has returned. I'm gonna fix it up and flip it.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by Blacktree

I haven't bought any coroplast yet. It's on the to-do list.

BTW, here's a photo I took during twilight. The car now has LED headlights and fog lights. And "pizza pans 2.0" are holding up really well. Do you think I should paint them? They're bare aluminum.



I also had a couple license plates made up, with my youtube channel logo. One went on the Prius, and one on the BMW. Florida doesn't do front license plates. I figure I should do some advertising, considering all the work that goes into making videos.

Edit to add: Cool weather has come to Florida. When summer came to Florida this year, the weather change was pretty abrupt. Like Mother Nature just flipped a light switch. The change from summer to fall was just as abrupt.

On the plus side, that means I can drive with the a/c off and the windows closed. So for example, I can do some coast-down testing. Like mentioned previously, I'd like to coast-down test the existing ecomods. Then I can start on the next round of mods (a belly pan, and maybe rear wheel spats).

That said, I have lots of other things going on. So it may take awhile. For example, I need to refurbish my bike, and upgrade my desktop computer. Plus, an old frenemy has returned. I'm gonna fix it up and flip it.

putting led headlights in '' reflector style'' headlights housings is illegal in most states fyi. so beware...

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Phase

putting led headlights in '' reflector style'' headlights housings is illegal in most states fyi. so beware...

My worthless anecdotal experience is that LEDs in a reflector headlight works well, and an HID bulb in a projector headlight also works well.

Reverse those, and the beam goes to pot.

Sunday the gal I sold the Prius to came by with a headlight out. Had to remember that I converted the halogen bulb to HID. Then I determined the bulb had burned out. Happened to have a replacement so the fix was easy.

Also fixed a broken LED (my mod) running light, added half a quart of 0-20w synthetic oil, rotated the bald front tires with the brand new looking rears... charged the traction battery to full.

[freebeard]

I'm going to buy my next car from you.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'm going to buy my next car from you.

1998.5 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 regular cab long bed

or

2012 Nissan Leaf with battery at ~50% remaining capacity.

or

2003 Toyota Camry with a bazillon miles.

Free 5th wheel camper

I've got an extra Honda CBR600 F4i.

[Blacktree]

Originally Posted by Phase

putting led headlights in '' reflector style'' headlights housings is illegal in most states fyi. so beware...

This is one of those things where it's technically illegal, but enforcement is almost nonexistent. Also, FMVSS has started changing in a more favorable direction.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

My worthless anecdotal experience is that LEDs in a reflector headlight works well, and an HID bulb in a projector headlight also works well.

Depends on the LED bulb. Some are good, some are trash. In this case, the LED bulbs produce a beam pattern very similar to stock (except more coverage). They're brighter than stock, but not super bright. And the color is similar to some aftermarket halogen bulbs. They aren't bright enough or annoying enough to get the attention of the cops. Not around here, anyway.

[Blacktree]

Nothing really interesting going on with the Prius right now. But I finally finished the LED headlight review. LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87IyCUlS4o4

[Phase]

Originally Posted by Blacktree

This is one of those things where it's technically illegal, but enforcement is almost nonexistent. Also, FMVSS has started changing in a more favorable direction.


Depends on the LED bulb. Some are good, some are trash. In this case, the LED bulbs produce a beam pattern very similar to stock (except more coverage). They're brighter than stock, but not super bright. And the color is similar to some aftermarket halogen bulbs. They aren't bright enough or annoying enough to get the attention of the cops. Not around here, anyway.

theres a difference between reflector and projector beam patterns. please learn the difference. reflector housings were never designed to handle high lumen led lights. thats why they blind everyone. thats why leds on reflectors look like someone is driving with their high beams on all the time. it blinds uncoming traffic. its also more dangerous and makes rain and snow more reflective. projectors have a beam cut off line so it doesnt blind others...

[Blacktree]

Somebody didn't watch the video.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by Blacktree

Somebody didn't watch the video.

I see the glare in the video…