Hid Info

Has anyone installed HiD lights for main beam as well as dip?

Regards,
Kiwi

Hi Kiwi

There are some posts in an earlier HID saga by DerekW about his experiences after fitting HID's to both Dip And Main Beam on his V6. I think he kept the installation but no doubt he will comment when he spots this item.

Regards

XMexc

Hi Kiwi,

As xmexc wrote, I fitted to both main and dip on my V6. You have enough cable length to fit the ballasts on the horizontal shelf in the nosecone - double sided tape will do the job.

It's a bit overkill I think. I've only used them once in earnest, on a late night drive from the Midlands to Boston, about 90 miles. As you would expect the light output is phenominal, so much so that I was dazzled by the reflections off the large white reflective roadsigns.

I suppose it depends on how crowded the roa------------------41184676334
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Hi Kiwi,

As xmexc wrote, I fitted to both main and dip on my V6. You have enough cable length to fit the ballasts on the horizontal shelf in the nosecone - double sided tape will do the job.

It's a bit overkill I think. I've only used them once in earnest, on a late night drive from the Midlands to Boston, about 90 miles. As you would expect the light output is phenominal, so much so that I was dazzled by the reflections off the large white reflective roadsigns.

I suppose it depends on how crowded the roads are where you drive. In this jam-packed little island, except in the wee small hours, there always seems to be another car coming towards you so most of the time you're on dip beam.

It's noticeable that manufacturers who fit HID as standard seem to restrict it to dip only.

Derek


This post has been edited by DerekW on April 16, 2008 03:42 pm

the ones I ordered from HIDS direct had a metal plate that the ballast secures to with 3 screws...

for now, mounted on the battery box and ECU box, but thinking about using one of the earth lugs to hang them ff the inner wing.

rgds
Dave

Hi Derek,

You're right - it probably is overkill. I'm tempted though because now my main beams don't look so flash anymore. The main beam spread compliments the HiD very well, it is just that there is such a difference. Perhaps I need to experiment with a whiter halogen bulb. I'd be interested to see how HiDs would cope with being used in a main beam role.

Funny thing is that before I installed the HiD kit I used to think the main beam was pretty good!

Regards,
Kiwi

I'm sure I read somewhere that hid's wouldn't be legal as main beams as they took a few seconds to "start up"so to speak. I guess that would mean they wouldn't work well if you wanted to use the main beam flash as they're not instantly on when you flick the switch. Having said that I'm also sure I saw an advert for a combined main/dip conversion but what with my short,medium and long term memory loss I may be talking complete b*******s.

Bob

Hi All

The HID bulb that provides Main as well as dip is an H4 type and do not fit our XM holders. These come in two types either dual bulb (HID and halogen filaments alongside each other) or mechanical (HID bulb position is moved by an electrical actuator). On an XM with the headlights on when switching to main beam the dipped bulbs stay alight so the delay if HIDs are used for main beam is unimportant. When HIDs are used for flashing they are perfectly visible to other motorists just not the usual HID brightness but little different than halogens.

Regards

XMexc

I'm not sure about the long term effect of continuously switching an HID bulb and ballast on and off. Any of our electronic wizards like to offer an opinion? From a practical point of view, when the system is warm the light-up seems to be instantaneous.

It's a fact that if an oncoming driver flashes you because he thinks you haven't dipped you can quickly disabuse him of that idea!

Derek

I finally fitted my set up yesterday in between the showers. I noticed the beam seems slightly low as others have mentioned but they are much brighter than before. The bulbs were a pain to fit and were a very snug fit sliding into place. I still have to find a permanent home for the N/S ballast as there are so many cables and clutter at the back of the lamp unit its hard to slide it in. The O/S fitted no problem.

I hope they last well as that will allow me to get on with other stuff.

Hi Dave,

The only place I could find for my nearside dip ballast was the front of the battery box.

Derek

Forgot to mention, the V6 goes for its first MOT since fitting HID main beams tomorrow - now the truth will be told!

Derek

I'll be amazed if it fails on lights Derek.

Passed its MOT with no comment about the lights.

Derek

Can someone here in the know point me in the right direction for getting a set now I've been
reminded how rubbish standard dip is these grotty dark at 4.00pm winter nights?

How do I know which is the wheat and the other the chaff on ebay...

A favorite ebay seller etc would be nice!

Andrew