HIDs What is the crack?

Orionaut

Orionaut

Orionaut

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Looking at several vehicle light sites that sell HID "Conversions" (IE HID conversions for halogen headlights) the legal advice is somewhat "ambiguous"

So! What is the crack?

It seems to be....

HID conversions are not "Legal" because the are not "Type approved" BUT provided one keeps the colour temp sensible and have correctly adjusted (Conventional) headlights, it is not an MOT issue.

My interpretation is that it is a bit like the current rules surrounding diesel Cats/DPF's. One MUST have the "Box"! and removing it and replacing it with a bit of pipe is a "Fail" However, though one "should" have the bit that goes inside the box. Since this is not currently testable, should you poke it out and reprogram the ECU not to mind it is not going to be a problem.

So, what is the current deal? What are the actual implications of fitting a non-type approved HID conversion (Sub 6K) to an older vehicle?
 
Other than annoying people ( with reflector lenses, unless you can find the umbrella cap type bulbs), likely very little. If the car has projectors you'll probably manage not to annoy people too, happy days.
 
rodenal said:
Other than annoying people ( with reflector lenses, unless you can find the umbrella cap type bulbs), likely very little. If the car has projectors you'll probably manage not to annoy people too, happy days.
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I am not a chav! :D

I have no wish to annoy people (Well other than intellectually! ;) )

(I did see an old Nova today with blindingly bright blue lights, So I guess these are the sort that might attract attention)

My interest is in H4 headlights for a 94 Landcruiser.

I am thinking about 35W for dipped and 55W for full (4 lights, With the LC full beam is additional IYSWIM)

(Mind, back in the 90's I did put 100/95W +100 (cant remember the exact powers) in my Jag! 400W on full beam (4 headlights) I reckon I could see a full mile on a straight road! :D If I failed to dip in time that was a bit antisocial! :D)
 
No issue. Mine passed the test with a kit in it the other day, heck the whole car is not type approved and that isn't a problem either.
 
I've been wondering a similar thing...

I wasn't sure what the rules were about auto-leveling, or washers either. It might be one of the "must be working if present" items, but I couldn't really find anything that confirmed either way.
 
opstrat said:
How do you know of your car has projector lights?
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This

PHv7h14.jpg


is a Projector :)

Just on the Dipped Beam!, my Main Beam is a Reflector (you can see the other H7 to the right of the Dome Lens)
 
You can buy xenon bulbs that fit into reflector lenses (i.e. standard H4 / H7 fit) with little caps on the top so that the beam pattern is directed downward as it should be, in order not to dazzle other drivers. These will most likely pass an MOT. You'd just need a ballast then.
 
Tempted to get some H7R HIDs for the Civic FN3 as the OEM bulbs are a bit crap compared to the S2000 HIDs.

People seem to all go for 6000k on the civic forums, sounds a bit blue to me? Would prefer 5000k
 
Yeah most people over on Briskoda are going for the 5000K versions, though some have the 6000K's and side by side photos I can't tell the difference!!. :)

Some nutters have gone for 8000k which is Purple :confused:
 
HIDs look great on manufacturer set ups. Other than that they look like they belong on a chaved up Fiesta.
 
My car had a HID kit on it when i bought it. I ended up ripping it out and fitting regular bulbs and its been much better.

Can only assume the ones fitted were terrible!
 
Edinho said:
HIDs look great on manufacturer set ups. Other than that they look like they belong on a chaved up Fiesta.
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I don't like them either, I drive a lot at night and all I seem to do is get blinded by dazzling blue headlights that look like they drive around with full beam on :(
 
Its probably because they are not fitted to projector lenses and been properly adjusted. I have a 6000k kit in the post but will be swapping bulbs if its chav blue. Seems some 6000k can be quite white while others can be overly blue.
 
I've got 5000k 35W in my celica which has projector lenses as standard and I have never had any issues, the beam pattern is perfect. Though saying that the last time it went through for MOT was before they changed the law with regards to HID's, from what I understand it is not illegal to have them fitted if you have headlight washers installed. My car is in for an MOT next month and doesn't have headlight washers so I will just be straight up and ask the MOT place whether it will fail on it.
 
Orionaut said:
I am thinking about 35W for dipped and 55W for full (4 lights, With the LC full beam is additional IYSWIM)

(Mind, back in the 90's I did put 100/95W +100 (cant remember the exact powers) in my Jag! 400W on full beam (4 headlights) I reckon I could see a full mile on a straight road! :D If I failed to dip in time that was a bit antisocial! :D)
Click to expand...

HIDs aren't really suitable for main beam because they need a few seconds to achieve full brightness.

In my very first car - a Mini Mayfair - I converted the 35/30W sealed units for a H4 setup with 100/80W bulbs and a pair of Oscar Sports with 100W bulbs in them. On full beam I remember it lighting up a motorway bridge about 3/4 mile distant. :cool:
On dip beam the 80W on dip was too much and drained the battery. :(
I had to change to 100/55W on the H4.
 
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