"Why 35W HID Systems? OEM factory equipped HID systems i.e. Mercedes Benz, Audi, Lexus, BMW etc all use 35W HID systems because of their reliability and long life span. Higher wattage aftermarket HID systems i.e. 55W, 100W systems are not recommended as they increase the operating temperature of the HID system, affect bulb color temperature, and in general have a shorter lifespan. Higher wattage kits are not that much brighter than 35W systems. a 4300K 35W HID system, is the same brightness of a 6000K 55W HID system. This is because the increased wattage of the 55W systemoperates the 6000K bulb at a higher temperature, changing the color of the bulb and essentially, creating a whiter color more similar to that of a 4300K bulb. " Not to mention the fact that a relay is needed with 55w, and not generally with 35w. from - XenonSupply: Frequently Asked Questions
I tried a 35 watt HID system, it wasn't bright enough for me so I went with a 55 watt system- it's much brighter... I'm happy now.
I'm wondering how much effect the capsule position has on the light output though. Another post suggested that most HID capsules, where the arc generates light, is in a different position relative to the reflector and lens when compared to the halogen equivalent bulb filament. It makes sense that that might be the reason why you didn't find the 35w HID bulbs "bright enough". SCH-I535
In my case I originally had a 2012 Prius 5 (for 8 months) with the LED headlights which IMO beat out all HID systems. I then traded in the 2012 Prius 5 for a 2012 Plug-in-Prius which had the std halogen headlights. Going from LED headlights on Friday night to halogen headlights Saturday night was a huge appointment so I upgraded the halogen's to 35 watt HID's. With the experience of the awesome LED headlights still fresh in my mind.... the 35 watt HID's didn't compare to the OEM LEDs. I then upgraded to a 55 watt HID system which is very close to as good as the OEM Prius LED headlights. I'm guessing that if I hadn't had the LED headlights for 8 months on my original Prius 5 I wouldn't have been as disappointed with the output from the 35 watt HID's, but those awesome LED's spoiled me!
I had a 55W system and I didn't personally see it as being significantly better than the 35W system. Not to mention you definitely need to run a relay harness with a 55W system, preferably wired directly to the 12v, which, being in the trunk makes a simple PnP install slightly more complicated.
I am under the same impression based off what I've read. Seems like it would make for a pretty clean install. Are most people throwing their ballasts behind the plastic pieces near the fender wells?
I didn't. One is behind the passenger side coolant tank (fits great there) and the other is on the outside of the plastic fender piece on the drivers side by the fuse box. I cable tied everything securely in addition to adhesive on the ballasts. I actually prefer to see them when I open the hood. If they are hidden away, and something came loose or whatever, you would not see it as easily.
I took the same approach,relay harness power straight to the fuse box with an appropriate wire length and the ballast are affixed with their bracket to the front apron above the headlights with an screw.
While LED's are superior to halogens, I believe PROPER HID's are equal if not better than LED's. If you plug in a PNP kit into the halogen projectors, you do not have true HID's. Look into a retrofit for your car. You should stick to 35w PNP kit, at 55w's you run a higher risk of burning the bowl of the halogen projector. It is not made to handle that amount of heat coming from that bulb. Then you would be looking at replacing the headlight entirely, unless you wanted to bake your headlight, take it apart, pull out the burnt projector bowl, find a replacement for it... Seems like it's not worth it to me. If you want better lighting, Google "HID retrofitting" or check out HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum .
on my 2013 prius Four, not IV as uppercase roman numerals were used for model designation during model year 2010. i decided to go with 8000k and 55W HIDs from DDMtuning. i like it a lot, super bright. because of the 55W, they suggested that the temperature may look different. I wanted something like 6000k so thats why I went with 8000k. its very white, and when my lights hit something or reflect, they give off a blueish tint.
