Upgrading Xenon bulbs to brighter ones?
- Thread starter mrk
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[TW]Fox;18090414 said:
Khaaan, some wet sanding and Meguiars Plast-x is whats required if thats the case.
Theres loads of videos on youtube of how to do it. Also look on detailing world, quite a few examples there of people who have cleard up there cloudy headlights.
Could just need a new pair of bulbs:
How long to D2S bulbs last?
Unlike halogen bulbs, which typically die when the filament snaps, HID bulbs have very few methods of mechanical failure. This results in bulbs can last an excessively long time (thousands and thousands of hours), but as time goes on the output of the bulb decreases. According to some spec sheets, at around 1500 hrs of use, an HID bulb is only emitting around 75% of its brightness. So assuming linear lifespan (which is likely not a valid assumption, but for clarities sake we will assume it is), at around 3000 hrs, the bulb is at 50% brightness. This means, a bulb may still be working long after its luminous output has fallen below that of a halogen bulb.
How long to D2S bulbs last?
Unlike halogen bulbs, which typically die when the filament snaps, HID bulbs have very few methods of mechanical failure. This results in bulbs can last an excessively long time (thousands and thousands of hours), but as time goes on the output of the bulb decreases. According to some spec sheets, at around 1500 hrs of use, an HID bulb is only emitting around 75% of its brightness. So assuming linear lifespan (which is likely not a valid assumption, but for clarities sake we will assume it is), at around 3000 hrs, the bulb is at 50% brightness. This means, a bulb may still be working long after its luminous output has fallen below that of a halogen bulb.
If you've got halogen bulbs then no, you'll need a ballast and associated wiring in order to fit xenon bulbs, and you'll need some that fit into the existing H1/H4/Hwhatever housings - those D2S bulbs are designed as drop-in replacements for an existing OEM xenon installation.
Yeesh, that picture alone is dazzling my eyes 
Yes, you'll need something along those lines. Perhaps a more specific kit though where it's obvious which type of bulb fitting is included. I'd imagine there'll be a fair bit of wiring involved, as you'll also need to locate the ballasts somewhere in the engine bay.
Yes, you'll need something along those lines. Perhaps a more specific kit though where it's obvious which type of bulb fitting is included. I'd imagine there'll be a fair bit of wiring involved, as you'll also need to locate the ballasts somewhere in the engine bay.
That should work but the picture has two problems.
1: They show a saloon car, the facelift coupe E46 has different Xenon headlamp lens construction both inside and out iirc?
2: That will most likely lean very much on the blue with whatever bulbs they bundle so you will want to replace those with neutral/normal Xenon bulbs that aren't chavvy blue tinted.
Oh to answer your question --bit late I know but...-- they were clean anyway
1: They show a saloon car, the facelift coupe E46 has different Xenon headlamp lens construction both inside and out iirc?
2: That will most likely lean very much on the blue with whatever bulbs they bundle so you will want to replace those with neutral/normal Xenon bulbs that aren't chavvy blue tinted.
How clean are your headlamps? Being you, I'd imagine they are pristine
Worth a check though - I cleaned mine today and I can actually see the road now.
Oh to answer your question --bit late I know but...-- they were clean anyway
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Thanks chaps.
Yeah, the site is pretty poor to be honest. I will have a dig around for something more specific to the E46 facelift coupe.
After reading a bit further it seems this might be harder than I imagined. I've read that xenons without auto levelling are illegal and will fail an MoT. Well, mine auto levels on start up but then it's a manual control. Would this suffice? Very confusing.
Yeah, the site is pretty poor to be honest. I will have a dig around for something more specific to the E46 facelift coupe.
After reading a bit further it seems this might be harder than I imagined. I've read that xenons without auto levelling are illegal and will fail an MoT. Well, mine auto levels on start up but then it's a manual control. Would this suffice? Very confusing.
Soldato
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Nothing more annoying than someone in an old car that has put blindingly bright bulbs in.