20 replies to this topic

[Chris P Duck]

I'm going to change to some HID lights soon but was after some advise on the kits. They come in 3 "wattages" 35w, 50w or 75w. I've done some reading and 35w are by far the most common (especially if you look at the cheapy kits on eBay) and these kits are still roughly 40% brighter than standard bulbs. However you can also fits 50w or 75w HID kits that get even Brighter. However these produce more heat and some people have reported melting the lamps (usually just the glue so they fall apart). Has anyone fitted 50w or 75w HID's to there VX? did the enclosures take it? Any other advise before I order a set?

Edited by Chris P Duck, 01 August 2011 - 03:43 PM.

[ghand]

Seen a few nice melted head lights due to the high wattage lamps but not sure how high you can go in the VX Do you plan on doing night stages or are the roads very dark near you.

Edited by ghand, 01 August 2011 - 04:28 PM.

[turbobob]

I've not seen 75 watt kits for sale. They sound a bit dodgy I personally wouldn't for for them because they a) sound dodgy and b ) the wiring is for 55w watt bulbs, so upgrading to 75 is a big jump and probably taking it over the cable rating. I have 55w on mine Edit for stupid b ) coming up as smiley

Edited by turbobob, 01 August 2011 - 06:04 PM.

[Chris P Duck]

I was thinking of the 50 or 55. I agree 75w seem OTT and may melt the cable. Anyone know if I'm right in thinking that HID's run cooler than normal bulbs and so a 50 or 55w kit should be fine? Turbobob how long have you had yours in for now? Did you need to get them re-aligned after fitting? Ghad there's some completely unlit country tracks near me that can be very fun at night, but only if you can see where you're going! + I don't wanna go to all the effort then loose on a "mines brighter than yours" competition do I?

[turbobob]

No alignment needed. But for next years mot after market hids are supposed to be an mot failure. If you want bright for dark country lanes, don't forget to upgrade your main beam bulbs. Osram nightbreakers should do the trick. Eta, can't remember how long I've had mine. 6 months, maybe less, maybe more.

Edited by turbobob, 01 August 2011 - 07:19 PM.

[ghand]

I was thinking of the 50 or 55. I agree 75w seem OTT and may melt the cable. Anyone know if I'm right in thinking that HID's run cooler than normal bulbs and so a 50 or 55w kit should be fine?

Turbobob how long have you had yours in for now? Did you need to get them re-aligned after fitting?

Ghad there's some completely unlit country tracks near me that can be very fun at night, but only if you can see where you're going! + I don't wanna go to all the effort then loose on a "mines brighter than yours" competition do I?

I did see a chart showing the night vision of the different lights and some of the brighter lights were worse,not sure how that worked.May be worth a search on the net
Oh and forget that comp I think mbes melted his,its not the glue, the whole unit goes white not good.

Some are illegal and the police are staring to pull cars with the very bright lights (glare to on coming traffic)Also check it will pass a MOT.

Edited by ghand, 01 August 2011 - 08:34 PM.

[ghand]

I was thinking of the 50 or 55. I agree 75w seem OTT and may melt the cable. Anyone know if I'm right in thinking that HID's run cooler than normal bulbs and so a 50 or 55w kit should be fine?

Turbobob how long have you had yours in for now? Did you need to get them re-aligned after fitting?

Ghad there's some completely unlit country tracks near me that can be very fun at night, but only if you can see where you're going! + I don't wanna go to all the effort then loose on a "mines brighter than yours" competition do I?

I did see a chart showing the night vision of the different lights and some of the brighter lights were worse,not sure how that worked.May be worth a search on the net
Oh and forget that comp I think mbes melted his,its not the glue, the whole unit goes white not good.

Some are illegal and the police are staring to pull cars with the very bright lights (glare to on coming traffic)Also check it will pass a MOT.

Just been reading Danial Stern Lighting on HIDs,interesting ,Google it and check it out.

[H1 HWK]

Hi Chris P, The 35watt HID's are a massive improvement over the stock candles, been running them for 6 months + with no probs. The blue'r the lamp temp 6000+, the less the light is actually useful in helping you see the road ahead. I chose a set of 4300's and 6000's, running the 6K's because one of the 4.3's looked like a 6K anyway after I'd fited them. The low beam lamps on the VX handle the beam pattern well because of the projector lens, so you shouldn't get any dazzle for cars approaching. I wouldn't pay any more for "slim" ballasts, as there's no technical gain, and there's space behind the headlamps to accommodate even the largest ballasts out there. They do light up road signs more than standard lamps, but that's a small price to pay for being able to see where you're going. I'd avoid kitting both low & high beam, as HID's take a fraction of a second for the ballasts to charge, so don't respond well to flashing your lights and often just give a flicker. Well worth doing,, but don't go mad on the 75W's or plod will pull you, or the fire engine will put you out

[ArticMonkey]

Hi Chris P,

The 35watt HID's are a massive improvement over the stock candles, been running them for 6 months + with no probs. The blue'r the lamp temp 6000+, the less the light is actually useful in helping you see the road ahead. I chose a set of 4300's and 6000's, running the 6K's because one of the 4.3's looked like a 6K anyway after I'd fited them. The low beam lamps on the VX handle the beam pattern well because of the projector lens, so you shouldn't get any dazzle for cars approaching. I wouldn't pay any more for "slim" ballasts, as there's no technical gain, and there's space behind the headlamps to accommodate even the largest ballasts out there.

They do light up road signs more than standard lamps, but that's a small price to pay for being able to see where you're going. I'd avoid kitting both low & high beam, as HID's take a fraction of a second for the ballasts to charge, so don't respond well to flashing your lights and often just give a flicker.

Well worth doing,, but don't go mad on the 75W's or plod will pull you, or the fire engine will put you out

You got a link or website where you got your kit mate and at what price?

[Chris P Duck]

Done some googling. It would appear that ALL after Market HID's are illegal end of, however they do seem to pass most MOT's (at present). Best keep a!13mm socket and some standard bulbs in the glove box... I mean, well somewhere!

[Seb.F]

If you're getting HIDs, I'd go for the 4300K if you use the car a lot at night. 6000K only if you don't use it much, please don't go over that as you'll be endangering your own life

[H1 HWK]

You got a link or website where you got your kit mate and at what price?

Hi Artic,

Ebay store was http://stores.ebay.co.uk/sugus-come >>>> HID's

Cost around £30 delivered from China if I remember correctly, around £10 for another set of lamps on top. Took a while to arrive from China, but well packed, good products. Looks like they've gone down to closer to £21 now, so worth a look even if you decide not to run them it won't break the bank.

As Seb said 4.3K's will probably give you the best "usable" light on the roads and they still look bright white. The 6K's are slightly bluer and look pretty, but don't put out as much light.

[Seb.F]

Yep looks like you can get the 35W from there for £22, the 55W are £35

[ghand]

Read "Danial Stern lighting on HIDs"

[Seb.F]

Read "Danial Stern lighting on HIDs"

Quite often projector lamps are perfectly fine, it's reflectors you need to watch out for.

[ghand]

Read "Danial Stern lighting on HIDs"

Quite often projector lamps are perfectly fine, it's reflectors you need to watch out for.

Do you buy the bit about the brigher light just up to the cut off point right in front of the car fooling your eyes to think you can see more when infact you can see less up the road.Sounds right if you think about it,do you need very bright light just infront of the car ? Not been in a VX at night with HIDs so i dont know. And its not what you would look for, you would just see the bright light and think its better.

[Seb.F]

Do you buy the bit about the brigher light just up to the cut off point right in front of the car fooling your eyes to think you can see more when infact you can see less up the road.Sounds right if you think about it,do you need very bright light just infront of the car ? Not been in a VX at night with HIDs so i dont know. And its not what you would look for, you would just see the bright light and think its better.

I think 4300K are alright but when you start going to 6000K and over you will notice a much reduced light at a distance yes.

[mbes2]

I fitted 100w normal bulbs.... the lens now have a little bit of a heat burn on the inside.... Back to 55w... still crap at night....

[ghand]

I fitted 100w normal bulbs.... the lens now have a little bit of a heat burn on the inside....



Back to 55w... still crap at night....

If you had left them in the switch,switch connections,cable and head light connections may not have been to happy over time with twice the current.(eat more carrots)

[ArticMonkey]

You got a link or website where you got your kit mate and at what price?

Hi Artic,

Ebay store was http://stores.ebay.co.uk/sugus-come >>>> HID's

Cost around £30 delivered from China if I remember correctly, around £10 for another set of lamps on top. Took a while to arrive from China, but well packed, good products. Looks like they've gone down to closer to £21 now, so worth a look even if you decide not to run them it won't break the bank.

As Seb said 4.3K's will probably give you the best "usable" light on the roads and they still look bright white. The 6K's are slightly bluer and look pretty, but don't put out as much light.

Thanks mate, had HID's in my r26 and they worked great with only good results. Have a friendly MOT tester so couldn't give a fcuk on that part.

Take it these will be ok? http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19be0cb574

Edited by ArticMonkey, 02 August 2011 - 06:05 PM.