Scrubb Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I came across a quick word about HID systems and how they run on something like 6v instead of 12v so can get brighter lights using less energy? I read somewhere that they may be illegal in NZ? But then I've seen alot of new cars come out with them from factory. Is there any truth to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 the retrofit kits are not legal, because the lens is not designed for the bulb used. Plastic headlights may also melt (however my gsx600 had a kit retrofitted and it never failed the wof beam test) I think if you get a full kit with lenses it is legal, as the beam pattern will be correct There will be a control box in the wiring (maybe two for cars) which will alter the voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuel Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 HID bulbs run on a very high voltage and a low amount of current rather than the conventional 12V. The ballast box steps the voltage right up. As Tori said the retro-fit kits are not legal unless you have the housings/lenses designed for HIDs in the first place as it affects the beam pattern and could also be a fire risk. I don't think it's a good idea fitting them in place of where H1/H4 bulbs have been because you often find the retro-fit kits are amongst the worst offenders of on-coming cars blinding you. You would be better off with a decent pair of standard halogen bulbs in properly aligned headlamp housings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 this^ i put some in the 910 and the light it gave off was amazing , but i only had to drive past a window and nearly blinded myself , so took them out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Yeah I ran them in the crown for awhile. Didn't even need to use highbeams, but when I did I could easily see a few km down the road. Dunno what it looked like to on coming traffic, but I doubt they would have enjoyed it. I have yet to find any HID approved 5 3/4" housings. Startup voltage on them is around 18-20KV, dropping down to 6 or so KV when warmed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrubb Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Ah, very interesting, I was under the impression that HID's used less energy. Can't get something from nothing I suppose.. It looks like theres not much point looking into a HID system for my lancer from what you guys have told me. Looks like the verdict is some decent halogen bulbs with a new housing? I don't know if it's all older cars or the Lancer EX's specifically but their lights are pretty rubbish. Are there any off the shelf regular bulbs which will make a decent difference or would I get a far better result switching to Halogen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 They do use less energy. A 35 watt HID pumps out a shitload more light than a 100W halogen / xenon. Some of them 60/55 +50 whatever they call them bulbs are pretty sweet, if your car takes H4 hi/lows. Ya probably can't safely run 100W without upgrading the wiring and bulb housing, as they pump out a lot of heat and pull many more amps, but 100W highbeams are quite lush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I got some +50 or +100 bulbs (Narva I think) in dailies and it was a good improvement over standard spec bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sholdowa Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I can tell you from experience that it you wire up 100/55 H4's so both filaments are on full beam, the earth pin melts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I haven't tried that, but yeah. That is around 12 amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 they perform pretty poorly in haze mist due to the light spectrum they emit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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