HID Lights Upgrade
Submitted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 18:31
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Member - Michael S (WA)
Fellow travellers,
I recently upgraded my Headlights with HID Kits 35 watt, 4300K which are supposed to give the most light.
My original lights are 55W H7 Osram Nightbreakers which are surprisingly good.
The HID do not seem as good, light penetration is not as good, although the HID throws more light to the roadside. Anyone else have experience with these kits?
Thanks,
Reply By: Andrew - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 20:52
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 20:52
Hi Michael
From what I can find out you probably have more light than before but it is no longer controlled so it doesn't point in the right direction.
Apparently the HID light source ( the
bright bit) is in a different place and is a different shape to a Halogen globe. That might also mean the
bright bit isn't pointing in the same direction. Anyway what this means is the focal point of the light source relative to the reflector is now in the wrong place so the reflector and lens can't control the light and give it the correct shape. So what you end up with is a bonfire instead of a spotlight. Sure is
bright but its in the wrong place. That is also why these kits cause so much glare to other drivers. All the nice cut offs that keep the light from shining upwards on low beam don't work any more.
How do you fix it?
Fit complete lights assemblies ( globe, lens and reflector) that are designed from scratch for HID. Unfortunately HID headlamps don't seem to be available aftermarket.
regards
A
AnswerID:
418126
Reply By: 4X4Treker - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 21:53
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 21:53
Andrew is correct the focal point must be correct otherwise the light will spray all over the place, I have fitted Hi/Low HID 4300K to my Patrol's headlights and 4300k to the IPF
driving lights but had to do a little re-alignment of the focal point on them.
I previously had PIIA Super Exteme lamps in the head lights and 120watt in the
driving lights but now with the HID's the penetration down the road and the lightup of the road on both high and low beam kills the old lamps. I would not have anything else.
I have fitted HIDs to my wifes Astra Twin top and also on my Motor bike Cruiser with the same result far better than the original lamps, but it all comes down to the fitment and focus.
The one thing that you do have to be careful about though is the height adjustment otherwise you will get flashed by other road users.
I do a lot of travel at night into the Northern
Flinders Ranges and I would not be without the HIDs
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