HID bulbs in projector headlights?

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moodle
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HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:15 pm

Hi All, im a newb here, so be gentle!!

I have recently purchased a used megane (56) plate 1.5dci dynamique. Great little car, very impressed so far. Quite nippy an great on the fuel economy.

I had a question regarding these HID kits that people go on about. As i understand it fitting HID bulbs to reflector type headlights, ie parabolic headlights is generally a no no, as it changes the beam geometry and can dazzle oncoming drivers etc.

However, can this be done if the headlights are projector style like the ones i have. The dipped light is a projector type, and the high beam is a reflector type.
So my question is, is there an HID bulb/ballast kit, aftermarket or OEM, that can be put in for use with the dipped projector light fitting i have?

Or is it a complete new cluster that is required??

thanks!!

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direstraits
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby direstraits » Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:28 am

I have HID kit in mine (2007), though it is illegal. :) I'll have to take it out for MOT.
2008-2011 MII GT 1.5 dCi 106HP,
2011- Laguna III ST Excep. 1.5 dCi 110 FAP 17" 215/50 Mich. Primacy HP, 16" 195/60 Mich. A4
2012- Clio III 5d Avant. 1.5 dCi 75 FAP 15" 185/60 Mich. Energy Saver, 15" 185/60 ContiWinterContact TS800

moodle
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:15 am

hmm ok, i was hoping to avoid 3 hrs pre mot time replacing them.. !!
I suppose if thepolice pull you up its a bit of a problem.

Was any magane fitted with factory HID projectors? ie the projector being designed for HIDs from the factory?

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direstraits
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby direstraits » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:42 am

Nope. Xenon was an option, but not HID. I hope police don't stop me. :) I still have 2 yrs before MOT here in Denmark.
2008-2011 MII GT 1.5 dCi 106HP,
2011- Laguna III ST Excep. 1.5 dCi 110 FAP 17" 215/50 Mich. Primacy HP, 16" 195/60 Mich. A4
2012- Clio III 5d Avant. 1.5 dCi 75 FAP 15" 185/60 Mich. Energy Saver, 15" 185/60 ContiWinterContact TS800

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direstraits
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Laguna III Ph2 Exception
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby direstraits » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:49 am

To clarify: I have HID kit installed with the original projectors, and that's illegal. Installing original Xenon lighting would cost a fortune, and you'd still need light washers and automatic regulation of the beam to make it legal. I put them mainly to spare myself injuries on my rather huge hands while changing bulbs (4 bulbs in less than a year), and I have to admit that they are much better, especially when driving at rainy nights here in Denmark.
2008-2011 MII GT 1.5 dCi 106HP,
2011- Laguna III ST Excep. 1.5 dCi 110 FAP 17" 215/50 Mich. Primacy HP, 16" 195/60 Mich. A4
2012- Clio III 5d Avant. 1.5 dCi 75 FAP 15" 185/60 Mich. Energy Saver, 15" 185/60 ContiWinterContact TS800

moodle
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:54 pm

hold on, im confused here.... :conf

OK HID bulbs don't use a filament (like the normal yellow tungsten type) but an arc is formed across two electrodes.
So what is a Xenon bulb then? Is this a filament but much brighter/whiter? or is it also an arc bulb, ie no filament?

Ive seen some bulbs called HID Xenon. So what is the difference?

Can i just buy genuine Xenon bulbs from Renault that are brighter/whiter and put into my existing projectors fittings without ballasts etc??

Toolster
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby Toolster » Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:23 pm

I was looking to put these on my MG before selling it for my Meg, I ask the RAC when they mot'd my motor about HID kits and if they were legal or not, his response was they are legal but they have to be properly aimed which a garage needed to do otherwise they would fail the mot, he also said that it did not ,matter what type of lens it was.

He closed with if I put them on my car I will be fine and they would pass the any mot as long as they were aimed correctly

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Ray
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby Ray » Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:25 pm

Xenon is the gas inside teh bulb...

Paddy
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby Paddy » Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:51 pm

Xenon is an inert gas that is added to 'regular' filament car bulbs to decrease the 'yellow' spectrum that is produced by the tungsten filament.

HID's have a small amount of metallic (liquid) mercury sealed in an argon gas inside a quartz tube. Other gases can be used/added depending on the light spectrum required. Also the voltage can be altered to control the intensity/brightness of the arc.

I have aftermarket HIDs in aftermarket projector headlight and have sailed through MOT. With all but perfect light alignment.

moodle
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:48 pm

cool ok, so it seems if they are set up correctly, then all should be ok.
One final point, can anyone comment on the following?

Any recomendation on HID suppliers? ie ive heard some HID bulbs can be too long to fit properly.
Also, how do you 'flash' HID's? ie dont they have a start up time? How do you flash someone, ie to give way, cross the road etc?

thanks

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direstraits
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Currently Drives:: History: Renault Megane II Touring 1.5 dci 106HP, Clio III 1.2 16v 75HP
Laguna III Ph2 Exception
Location: Denmark

Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby direstraits » Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:29 am

You flash with long beam, not the dipped ones. :)
2008-2011 MII GT 1.5 dCi 106HP,
2011- Laguna III ST Excep. 1.5 dCi 110 FAP 17" 215/50 Mich. Primacy HP, 16" 195/60 Mich. A4
2012- Clio III 5d Avant. 1.5 dCi 75 FAP 15" 185/60 Mich. Energy Saver, 15" 185/60 ContiWinterContact TS800

moodle
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Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:00 pm
Currently Drives:: Megane 2 56

Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:51 am

doh..my bad..of course, when you flash its the high beams..!!

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TheFinn
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby TheFinn » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:37 pm

As for the legality: What markings do your headlights have? Are the dipped beams marked only "HC"? Or are there both "HC" and "DC" markings on the headlight housing? These markings should be visible on the black plastic part of the headlight when you open the bonnet.

If it's "HC" only (halogen code), then retrofitting HID is illegal.

But a "DC" marking (discharge code) means the headlight's approved for a xenon=HID=discharge bulb.

Sometimes the manufacturers use the same headlight housing for both halogen and xenon versions to save in tooling and logistics, that's why some headlights have both markings although the actual lens unit is usually different for halogen and xenon. But the police or MOT should only be interested in the DC marking, they can't tell the difference between the lens unit by looking at it.

You'll obviously need headlights washers and auto-levelling device even if the headlights are "DC". The latter, however, can be retrofitted relatively inexpensively: Hella makes an ultra-sound based kit for roughly €200.
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Paddy
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby Paddy » Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:33 pm

TheFinn wrote:As for the legality: What markings do your headlights have? Are the dipped beams marked only "HC"? Or are there both "HC" and "DC" markings on the headlight housing? These markings should be visible on the black plastic part of the headlight when you open the bonnet.

If it's "HC" only (halogen code), then retrofitting HID is illegal.

But a "DC" marking (discharge code) means the headlight's approved for a xenon=HID=discharge bulb.

Sometimes the manufacturers use the same headlight housing for both halogen and xenon versions to save in tooling and logistics, that's why some headlights have both markings although the actual lens unit is usually different for halogen and xenon. But the police or MOT should only be interested in the DC marking, they can't tell the difference between the lens unit by looking at it.

You'll obviously need headlights washers and auto-levelling device even if the headlights are "DC". The latter, however, can be retrofitted relatively inexpensively: Hella makes an ultra-sound based kit for roughly €200.



Ehh not sure about the stamping... No.. no washers or auto-levelling.. Just housing, bulbs and aligned... Sailed through a Northern Ireland MOT...

moodle
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Re: HID bulbs in projector headlights?

Postby moodle » Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:40 pm

Hi there. Thanks for the info regarding the codes. I will check this.

Re the washers, what is the point? As i understand it HIDs are bad when it comes to glare due to dirt/water right? if this is the need for washers, what happens with rain/snow on the front glass of the cluster. seems a bit overkill to me. Or is this some other sort of 'washing'

Also, what is wrong with manual leveling? I have manual leveling already, im assuming that again due to the extra glare factor, they (regulators) want to make sure you don't forget to turn the level adjustment when 2 people get in the back right?

Thanks


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