Hid Conversions., Has anybody done one?

Hi All,

Yet another peculiarity! I've just fitted my main beam H.I.Ds, from the same Hong Kong source as the dip ones. I would have thought that all these h1 H.I.D. bulbs were the same size, they must be made to a standard?

I followed XMexc's advice and removed my headlamps before fitting (twice). My bulbs have a length of cable running down the outside and by fitting them with that cable lined up with the largest cut out in the bulb holder they went in no problem.

Incidentally, in answer to a question posed by another potential customer, my supplier quoted £30 apiece or £45 for two, postage paid, for replacement bulbs - should you ever need them.

Derek

Hi all,

I've just received my HID kit from Hong Kong, I went for a 4300k kit in the end as I don't like the blue tinge of some of the kits.
Anyone any hints for installation, does it matter which way they are connected with regards to polarity ?

Cheers, Colin.P

Hi Colin

Havn't actually got round to getting any yet but I would think the input to the inverter would be polarity conscious.

Peter.N.

Hi Colin,

Yes, on your new kit there should be four leads coming through the rubber grommet behind the bulb. Two are attached permanently to the bulb whilst the other two, one red, one black, have male spade connectors fitted to them. Plug the red lead into the connector that normally goes onto the bulb, this takes the positive supply from your car relay to the ballast/igniter box. The other car lead at the headlamp has to be pulled off its earth connector, the black lead from the ballast then plugs into that lead.

As far as installation is concerned, the only problem I had was finding somewhere suitable for the ballasts that was within the scope of the lead length, particularly the one that feeds the bulbs. Like XMexclusive, I found it was worth the effort of removing the headlamps, it certainly makes fitting the bulbs (and the ballasts) easier.

Derek

Thanks Gents, don't know where I'd be without our little community and the help of gentlemen like you

Best wishes, Colin.P

Just fitted my kit, nice and easy installation - just the way I like it What a difference !! they're illuminating the road in front even in daylight !! can't wait for it to go dark for a real test.

Colin.P

Hi Guys.

Having read this extensive thread on these lamps, I took the opportunity of asking my MOT man this afternoon what the state of play was if these conversion bulbs were fitted. He says as far as he is concerned, if the beam pattern is correct, that's all there is to it. He also added that as far as he knew, the discharge bulbs did give exactly the same pattern as a filament bulb.


Mike.

mounting linses and hid on XM (linses from peugeot 307/2006)

As an aside - it's also illegal to fit the new LED bulbs to vehicle lamp units unless the lamp units were specifically designed for them. Although I don't have them fitted - I feel the LED bulbs are a valuable safety feature too - particularly for the stop lamps. The increase in response time equates to something like a reduction of 25 metres stopping distance at 60mph! Beware though - only the very latest LED's have an acceptably wide beam pattern for brake lights.

(See 3 Watt Luxeon 130 degree beams for an example of the latest.)

Roy

This post has been edited by mackay1 on September 16, 2007 10:37 am

Their wesite does not list any LED bulbs as suitable for any Citroen! I'm a bit concerned about fitting brighter bulbs to the rear lights, knowing how dazzling rear fog lights can be in clear conditions..

Derek

Hi All

I have tried a few LED bulbs in XM's but so far only left a couple of sidelight ones in permanent use. Lots of problems in getting ones that are useable. Most are crap for light output with poor beam spread, wrongly positioned for the reflectors or just too large to fit in the lamps. I do not think they will match fog lights for output just yet. I have arrived at similar conclusions to Roy on the only suitable type.

Regards

XMexc

Well - it's a USA site - so they probably don't know what a Citroen is!

From the link - go down to "3 Watt Luxeon LED 15mm Bayonet Based LED Bulbs"

Click on "More info"

1156-RLX3 - is the tail lamp bulb for the XM
1157-RLX3 - is the stop/tail lamp bulb for the XM

(Based on the rating and cap - I've no idea if they would fit in the lamp, but suspect they would.)

Their advantage is not so much that they're brighter, but that they illuminate instantly - without having to "warm up" like a standard bulb. I'd share your concern with the tail lights - but would be a lot less concerned if the brake lights had that effect.

Having said that the Luxeon 3 Watt unit is quite astonishing. I was given a Maglite torch recently with one of these and have been really impressed by the output and lack of battery drain. (Having subsequently discovered the price of the torch I was somewhat less impressed however, but it's undoubtedly the way forward.)

Roy

This post has been edited by mackay1 on September 16, 2007 09:22 pm

I would just like to report to this forum that I am having major problems with the company "PILOT HID" over a U/S ballast.

It is now seven weeks since I returned the broken ballast and still the excuses keep coming & no replacement ballast.

Have had to reconvert one headlamp to halogen - and it looks crap!

They say the internet is powerful for feedback so if I had my choice again I would go for the cheap 'n' cheerful ebay kits and please avoid the company "PILOT HID" if you think the extra paid will endow better customer service.

Rant over.

Hi Roy,

Thanks for the info, sorry I haven't acknowledged earlier.

Hi Wirdy,

Bad luck with your H.I.Ds, I normally expect higher quality equipment for a higher price (yer gets what yer pays for) but I gave up expecting better service a long time ago. Some while ago I went into a main Lexus agent's looking to spend serious money on a range topper. I don't know if perhaps I didn't fit their parameters for a customer but I was given the bum's rush, so I spent a lot less money on a 406 V6 (disappointing) and then an XM V6 (back to my first love and not at all disappointing). There are firms and individuals out there who give good service, but price doesn't come into it. Hopefully your warning about Pilot will be spread far and wide. Nili illegitimus carborundum.

Derek

This post has been edited by DerekW on October 02, 2007 05:53 pm

That's the exact phrase my late Grandfather (passed away in '87) used to say to me all the time.

Thanks Derek - The advice has served me well ever since

This post has been edited by wirdy on October 02, 2007 10:34 pm