HID KIT Conversion?

[Byard]

If you get a HID KIT, do you have to have both main and dipped bulbs? I could only afford main HID bulbs so didnt want to get 1 and no be able to keep using my normal dipped lights?

Anyone know? Car is a Ford Focus '53

Thanks

[bimsb6]

ffs await the flaming

Edited by bimsb6 on Monday 29th November 14:28

[OwenK]

I don't have HIDs myself but I've been led to believe they are a bad idea for main beam - they take a noticable amount of time to "warm up" when they turn on, which won't work well for a main beam application. Also they have a limited lifespan in terms of how many times they can turn on - fine for a dip beam but when you think how many times you flick mains on/off in a journey then the life is significantly reduced.

[Dave_ST220]

Been running main beam since 2002, still working fine. Only downside is to flash people you have to hold the stalk for a couple of seconds so they see it.

[300bhp/ton]

Byard said:

If you get a HID KIT, do you have to have both main and dipped bulbs? I could only afford main HID bulbs so didnt want to get 1 and no be able to keep using my normal dipped lights?

Anyone know? Car is a Ford Focus '53

Thanks

Research is key on this one. Lots of info and lots of BS too.

Technically I think it is illegal to run HID's in a headlight not designed for them, however chances are you'll not get anything done or caught.

The higher the k rating the worse the light becomes, so stick to 4100 or 4300k HID's these are closest to daylight, brighter and produce less glare for oncoming drivers.

Blue and purple colour HID's are dimmer or less bright, can cause more eye fatigue and due to high energy blue light causes terrible glare.

HID's take time to warm up and switching on/off is not good for them. If you have a separate lamp for main beam then a halogen is still best for them. So only fit HIDs to dipped beam.

Also make sure you get the right type of bulb, D2s bulbs are for projector style headlights and D2r's are for reflectors style headlight, they have a metal strip on them which helps reduce glare.


In short, don't buy until you know what you are buying and why

-and don't believe marketing BS, esp on eBay and chavvy tuning shops.

[Dave_ST220]

6K is closest to daylight IIRC. 4300K is what the OEM's use and is brighter than 6K.

[300bhp/ton]

Dave_ST220 said:

6K is closest to daylight IIRC. 4300K is what the OEM's use and is brighter than 6K.

Nope, 6k HID's will be blue sure the temp rating is nearer the sun, but the colour isn't. OEM do use 4100k for a reason

[Dave_ST220]

Do a search, I thought the same(which is why OEM is 4300K) but apparently 6000K is closest to natural light. I have 6K Philips in my 220 and the light is pure white, makes the OEM's look yellow, I wouldn't call it blue tbh.

[Mazdarese]

I also believe it to be true that HID lights need to have a self-levelling setup to be legal. Or to pass an MOT. One or the other.

Personally I wouldn't bother, and if you really want HID's just make sure your next car has them.

[300bhp/ton]

Dave_ST220 said:

Do a search, I thought the same(which is why OEM is 4300K) but apparently 6000K is closest to natural light. I have 6K Philips in my 220 and the light is pure white, makes the OEM's look yellow, I wouldn't call it blue tbh.

I did do a search


http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html

web said:

MISCONCEPTIONS

There are many companies and private merchants out there that will advertise 7000K, 8000K, and even 12000K HID kits. Most of these vendors lurk around on ebay, online car forums, websites, and ricer accessory shops. 100% of the people that buy these kits do so because they are uninformed, uneducated, or misguided in the field of lighting, and will buy these junk kits thinking three things: that these bulbs are brighter, that these bulbs should cost more money, and/or that they will perform better. All three statements are completely false. Perhaps this misconception and frenzy for purple lights originates from BMW and Audi's infamous Hella projector HIDs.

So allow me to explain the real truth of the matter... Philips is the number one manufacturer of HID bulbs. The Philips OEM D2S bulb is rated at 4100K at 12.8 volts and produces 3200 lumens of light. The Philips Ultinon D2S is 5800K at 12.8 volts and produces 2400 lumens of light. As you can see, with all other factors remaining constant, the brightness of an HID bulb declines the higher up the color index you go. Vision, a Korean bulb manufacturer, makes an 8000K bulb, which they used to advertise on Acura-Forums as 2000 lumens bright. This is barely a marked improvement over halogens, and will produce more glare and eye fatigue than it is beneficial. 4100K has been proven through tireless independent research by the Germans, Japanese, and Americans to be the most functional, truest white and thus the brightest possible color temperature (ceteris paribus).

Every car manufacturer in the world (including BMW and Audi) uses none other than a standard 4100K gas-discharge bulb. No exceptions. The reason being is that 4100K is daylight white in color and produces the same color visible light as direct sunlight. This is least fatiguing functional color on the eyes and produces the most comfortable contrast on the road.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 29th November 15:15

[300bhp/ton]

Mazdarese said:

I also believe it to be true that HID lights need to have a self-levelling setup to be legal. Or to pass an MOT. One or the other.

Legal and MoT are different things. No check for HID or related parts on an MoT.

Mazdarese said:

Personally I wouldn't bother, and if you really want HID's just make sure your next car has them.

Stupid fking comment

[SB10]

I wouldnt waste my time on an aftermarket kit. Had them myself.. light output impressed me , but the beam was a bit all over the place.

I swapped a set of OEM Xenon headlights onto my car and its been the best investment i've made.

Why not check out a scrappy or even forums to see how easy it is to fire on some OEM units?

I know you will get the "you need washer jets, self levelling etc" Mine are in without both these items, passed an MOT, and had no issues blinding any other road users.

[Dave_ST220]

300bhp/ton said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Do a search, I thought the same(which is why OEM is 4300K) but apparently 6000K is closest to natural light. I have 6K Philips in my 220 and the light is pure white, makes the OEM's look yellow, I wouldn't call it blue tbh.

I did do a search


http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html

web said:

MISCONCEPTIONS

There are many companies and private merchants out there that will advertise 7000K, 8000K, and even 12000K HID kits. Most of these vendors lurk around on ebay, online car forums, websites, and ricer accessory shops. 100% of the people that buy these kits do so because they are uninformed, uneducated, or misguided in the field of lighting, and will buy these junk kits thinking three things: that these bulbs are brighter, that these bulbs should cost more money, and/or that they will perform better. All three statements are completely false. Perhaps this misconception and frenzy for purple lights originates from BMW and Audi's infamous Hella projector HIDs.

So allow me to explain the real truth of the matter... Philips is the number one manufacturer of HID bulbs. The Philips OEM D2S bulb is rated at 4100K at 12.8 volts and produces 3200 lumens of light. The Philips Ultinon D2S is 5800K at 12.8 volts and produces 2400 lumens of light. As you can see, with all other factors remaining constant, the brightness of an HID bulb declines the higher up the color index you go. Vision, a Korean bulb manufacturer, makes an 8000K bulb, which they used to advertise on Acura-Forums as 2000 lumens bright. This is barely a marked improvement over halogens, and will produce more glare and eye fatigue than it is beneficial. 4100K has been proven through tireless independent research by the Germans, Japanese, and Americans to be the most functional, truest white and thus the brightest possible color temperature (ceteris paribus).

Every car manufacturer in the world (including BMW and Audi) uses none other than a standard 4100K gas-discharge bulb. No exceptions. The reason being is that 4100K is daylight white in color and produces the same color visible light as direct sunlight. This is least fatiguing functional color on the eyes and produces the most comfortable contrast on the road.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 29th November 15:15

I meant on here This subject pops up quite often, either my memory is going or some smart ass told me incorrectly that 6K was daylight.

"It is commonly accepted that a colour temp of 6,300°K to 6,500°K gives the closest reproduction of natural sunlight."

http://www.craftlamps.co.uk/TechnicalSpec.html

Anything above 6K is pointless.

[Mazdarese]

300bhp/ton said:

Mazdarese said:

I also believe it to be true that HID lights need to have a self-levelling setup to be legal. Or to pass an MOT. One or the other.

Legal and MoT are different things. No check for HID or related parts on an MoT.

I know MOT and legal are different things, that's why I said 'one or the other'. From reading up lots on this in the past, I believed it to be true that they needed self-levelling equipment to be legal or pass an MOT. I was hoping to provoke the OP into reading up a bit more on that.

300bhp/ton said:

Mazdarese said:

Personally I wouldn't bother, and if you really want HID's just make sure your next car has them.

Stupid fking comment

I said personally which makes it my opinion, whether you think it's stupid or not. wker.

Edited by Mazdarese on Monday 29th November 15:24

[Dave_ST220]

SB10 said:

I wouldnt waste my time on an aftermarket kit. Had them myself.. light output impressed me , but the beam was a bit all over the place.

I swapped a set of OEM Xenon headlights onto my car and its been the best investment i've made.

Why not check out a scrappy or even forums to see how easy it is to fire on some OEM units?

I know you will get the "you need washer jets, self levelling etc" Mine are in without both these items, passed an MOT, and had no issues blinding any other road users.

To be fair the quality of aftermarket kits varies as much as anything. There are good kits & there are bad. Mine cost a grand back in the day which was about what OEM was costing....

[BeeRoad]

300bhp/ton] said:

Legal and MoT are different things. No check for HID or related parts on an MoT.

The VOSA newsletter suggests that from December 2011 aftermarket HID kits will be an automatic MOT fail. Be interesting to see if it is implemented.

[alock]

2 biggest websites that sell them:

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/terms.html
"In the UK, fitting an aftermarket HID kit is not technically road legal as you are replacing a halogen bulb with an HID bulb, because of this the HID bulb cannot be E marked, which is a requirement for it to be road legal. Therefore our HID kits are sold for off-road use only."

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/pages/terms-and-condi...
"Please also note that under UK regulations HID kits are not yet approved road legal, this is because HID kits are not e-marked approved in their entirety. Until UK regulations are changed or up-dated our HID kits are sold for off road and show use only."

Where are the road legal ones that you want to fit?

Edited by alock on Monday 29th November 15:40

[300bhp/ton]

BeeRoad said:

300bhp/ton] said:

Legal and MoT are different things. No check for HID or related parts on an MoT.

The VOSA newsletter suggests that from December 2011 aftermarket HID kits will be an automatic MOT fail. Be interesting to see if it is implemented.

I'm not sure how easy it easy to realistically check either.

I mean do MoT tester normally check to make sure your halogen bulbs are only 55w?

[BeeRoad]

300bhp/ton said:

BeeRoad said:

300bhp/ton] said:

Legal and MoT are different things. No check for HID or related parts on an MoT.

The VOSA newsletter suggests that from December 2011 aftermarket HID kits will be an automatic MOT fail. Be interesting to see if it is implemented.

I'm not sure how easy it easy to realistically check either.

I mean do MoT tester normally check to make sure your halogen bulbs are only 55w?

Don't know, can only pass on what they've said:

"HID lights – Specifically those aftermarket kits that give the very bright headlight beams. Any cars found with these kits will be an automatic MOT failure. Testers are able to easily spot the difference between HID kits, and manufacturer fitted Xenon’s. Easy to spot as Xenon cars have suspension level sensors and headlight washers."

I guess if you've gone to the trouble of sourcing and fitting genuine parts you'll be OK but if you've shoved an 8000k bulb in any old non-projector unit it will be obvious.

[GTIR]

BeeRoad said:

The VOSA newsletter suggests that from December 2011 aftermarket HID kits will be an automatic MOT fail. Be interesting to see if it is implemented.

I really hope that's correct!

Aftermarket HID are one of the biggest pains on the road - I'm talking about the badly fitted ones or mega bright ones (usually on old stter BMW's) and I don't understand how these idiots don't realise they are blinding everyone!

FFS, the OEM "super lights" are sometimes bad depending on the angle of attack (I often get flashed at the same point on the M11 as it looks like I have my high beam on, but it's just the pitch of the road and the angle my lights are to the approaching car who flashed) so this aftermarket crap has to stop.

If they are fitted correctly and are not cheap st then that's fine, but I've got news for you, if you have a 2001 Ford Galaxy they just look crap with HID lights!


Edited to add; I've just googled it and apart from the forum chat there is no hard evidence to back this up. Link anyone?

Edited by GTIR on Monday 29th November 16:02