HID conversions
- Thread starter MJI
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Datatek
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Great, another one that is going to blind oncoming drivers. The law requires headlamp wipers and self leveling. HID is old tech, LED is the future.
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- Rushden, Northants, UK
Not worth the hassle in my view, the basic lights aren't that bad, and you can get brighter halogens.
HID is not legal if the car is not originally fitted for them, as Datatek mentions above.
Peter
HID is not legal if the car is not originally fitted for them, as Datatek mentions above.
Peter
The law is self levelling and washers, I have both, I did a similar conversion on a previous car. I do drive along a lot of unlit lanes on my commute.
I always go for 4800k and 35w and I do check for dazzle. But to be honest the worst cars for dazzle are those DRL cars
brian47
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gotta agree with Peter listerdiesel here, just put brighter (not greater power) bulbs in such as Nightbreakers.
With the facelift, at least you don't switch the dipped beam off when you select main beam, so that already gives you 110 watts per side (2 x 55w), and if you do the same as I've done by adding extra spotlights, switched with the main beams, then that brings it up to 165 watts per side. That's 330 watts of forward lighting, more than enough for almost all dark lanes.
With the facelift, at least you don't switch the dipped beam off when you select main beam, so that already gives you 110 watts per side (2 x 55w), and if you do the same as I've done by adding extra spotlights, switched with the main beams, then that brings it up to 165 watts per side. That's 330 watts of forward lighting, more than enough for almost all dark lanes.
thebiglad
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KevAmiga
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- Swansea, South Wales
A mate of mine installed one of those ****y conversion kits into his 3 series beema.
She caught fire.
The insurance company laughed.
enough said
She caught fire.
The insurance company laughed.
enough said
vilguy
Do'er of stuff and the like
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The HID conversion kits do work fine and are safe if installed properly. I have had them in multiple vehicles over the years (mainly bikes to be honest).
You need to be careful with them as they done run at HV (22,000 volts ish) i managed to effectively tazer myself with one once and it hurt like a mother!
As previously mentioned its the reflectors that are the issue, even in projector equipped lights. The lightsource is in a different position to that of a halogen bulb. The headlamp ideally needs to be designed for an HID bulb.
Legally wise... i was never tugged with them, but i used 3800k bulbs which were not blue at all. Anything above 3800k is just putting out less lumens so what is the point? blue tinge is just tacky.
again legally, passed mot's with them no problem. but i did try to set them up correctly
You need to be careful with them as they done run at HV (22,000 volts ish) i managed to effectively tazer myself with one once and it hurt like a mother!
As previously mentioned its the reflectors that are the issue, even in projector equipped lights. The lightsource is in a different position to that of a halogen bulb. The headlamp ideally needs to be designed for an HID bulb.
Legally wise... i was never tugged with them, but i used 3800k bulbs which were not blue at all. Anything above 3800k is just putting out less lumens so what is the point? blue tinge is just tacky.
again legally, passed mot's with them no problem. but i did try to set them up correctly
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no need for HIDs IMHO
just go more clean/new reflectors, fit +120 bulbs and do the relay mod in the CFAQ section.... more than good enough.
you will get more loss through the stalks and wiring otherwise.
oh - and do the job properly
just go more clean/new reflectors, fit +120 bulbs and do the relay mod in the CFAQ section.... more than good enough.
you will get more loss through the stalks and wiring otherwise.
oh - and do the job properly
vilguy
Do'er of stuff and the like
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eat carrots!
Datatek
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If you cannot see at night with the standard set up, you need to get your night vision tested. A Disco is not the fastest thing on the planet down the lanes.
KevAmiga
Active Member
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- Swansea, South Wales
I find my D1 headlights amazing! but then, thats compared to the transit (which has a pair of candles, flickering behind the foggy plastic lenses).
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