HID Bi-Xenon Kit ...

Redexcel · Post by **Redexcel** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:25

There are one or two threads running on Pistonheads about the conversion kits available. There are also some doubts about legality.
Take a look at this......

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 13:06

Dft .. more nanny state bullsh1t ... As long as the beam pattern isn't dazzling anyone, does it matter?! I'll probably carry a pair of standard bulbs in the car - just in case plod / MOT station takes offence, or the HID kit dies!

When I tried an HID bulb in an old reflector for testing, the beam cutoff was MUCH better defined than the halogen bulb (I will take pics). The shield on the bulb is external to the HID bulb and effectively surrounds the bottom half of the bulb. This is in contrast to the small reflector inside the bulb on dipped standard H4.

This improved beam pattern was without any fine tuning; by fine tuning, I mean that the HID bulbs (in my kit) have three very small screws that go through the legs that locate the H4 bulb in the lamp. These can be adjusted to fine tune the beam pattern if necessary.

Redexcel · Post by **Redexcel** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:27

I agree about the B/S, but its best that anyone contemplating the conversion is at least aware of it before deciding to go ahead.

Ozzy_UK · Post by **Ozzy_UK** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 09:35

any pics on installation?

seriously considering this after a near miss the other night... better lights would have made a massive difference!

Oz.

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 09:53

Yep pics would be great to have when you've finished sorting out the installation.

I'd guess that some modern cars don't convert properly because of the semi clear/minimal design of the headlight glass whereas the Excel has thick fluted/wavy glass bottle bottom thingies for a lens...anyway I'm up for it.

Plod ain't got time to stop people using their fog lights inappropriately (ie no fog) so I'm not gonna worry about a marginal headlight upgrade....and my MOT man is a sweetie

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:43

It's fitted .. started at 8pm, finished at 2am - taking pictures and swearing along the way.

That's a bit longer than expected, although it involved re-riveting half of the pod pivots and at least half an hour trying to find the nylon headlamp mounting thingy that popped out and disappeared without a trace. Paul Matty to the recue on that one!

I can't wait for it to get dark - I thought 2am a little too late to start the Esprit with sports exhaust so I could get the Excel out for a test drive!

I've almost forgotten how sore my hand is, the bonnet dropped and trapped it whilst it was in the headlamp pod from the back... F**k that hurt, but luckily just enough give (with brute force) in the bonnet and pod to extract my hand! The damn bonnet latched shut too.

WANTED .. new bonnet gas strut!

Initial impressions in the underground car park at the office are .. WOW! I'm going to try to sort the beam aim out at lunchtime! They have a pleasant whine for the first few seconds ... purposeful!

Full write-up to follow, probably next week!

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 17:06

Impressions so far ...

Dipped beam is amazing ...

Main beam is too high .. lighting the trees but not the ground! I've yet to play with the bulb adjustment screws provided (these control how deeply and at which angle the bulb sits in the lens. These adjustments allow fine tuning of beam pattern - whether they will just allow sharpening of dipped beam cutoff or control of main beam is yet to be determined.

With a dipped beam like that, hardly need main beam anyway

texas2201 · Post by **texas2201** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 17:11

Where did you get the kit and what cost are we talking here - I fitted them to another car and it cost me £200 but they only work on dipped

Martin

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 17:14

Kit was about £70 including delivery from China .. ebay special!

Seems excellent value and quite well made - especially considering £40 + £30 postage!

texas2201 · Post by **texas2201** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 17:37

must have a look at ebay then

dipped beam is useless in our cars

Martin

texas2201 · Post by **texas2201** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 17:47

when are you going to post the installation photos and instructions - although 6 hours to fit

not that I ever do anything myself

Martin

JonK · Post by **JonK** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:41

Steve,

Do you maybe have an eBay item number. I had a look and as always there is too much choice.

A friend is going to China in the new year so there may be an chance to get one in country.

Although I suspect the postage just makes up the full price.

My lights are so bad I am often think the bulbs have blown.

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 13:04

Ebay item 270178874919 is the same as the kit I bought ...

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, dipped beam is amazing and cutoff is ok - but main beam way too high. It could be that I'm just greedy on dip beam and setting it too high, causing main beam to be too high. I need to experiment a little with both the aim and the blub location adjusters that are provided to see if I can find a happy medium!

If I can't correct main beam, I'm tempted to change the front fogs for spots and stick an HID H1 kit in the spots, leaving the main H4's on permanent dip!

HID is

texas2201 · Post by **texas2201** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 13:28

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-Xenon-light-bu ... dZViewItem

alternative and a lot cheaper but are they any good?

Martin

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 13:44

I had those exact ones, I recognise the box. I had the 90/100 version they list. BUT the only 90/100 thing about them was the writing printed on them .... the resistance of the filaments was wrong (too high), virtually identical to 55/60 bulbs, nothing like the resistance of an older set of 80/100's I have around.

And before you ask, I have a special low resistance meter that can read accurately to 0.01 ohms

The light output from the so-called 90/100's (actually a 55/60 with blue filter) was a joke in comparison to the HID kit.

ps. No .. I meant to say they're great, anyone want to buy a pair of 90/100's that wont draw more current than a standard bulb?