HID kits on the cheap.

[techy101]

Just ordered a set of 9006's 5000k!

Hopefully I can get the car back on the road and use these.

[redlightningsvx]

Ordered some 35w 9006, 6000k's for the lows.

[SSSVX]

Thanks for the post. It's a nice deal and they look promising.

Is 55w kit too much? They'll be so bright and probably blinds lot of oncoming vehicles. Would they melt the plastic housing? Maybe it'll be getting more possibility being pulled over.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by SSSVX

Thanks for the post. It's a nice deal and they look promising.

Is 55w kit too much? They'll be so bright and probably blinds lot of oncoming vehicles. Would they melt the plastic housing? Maybe it'll be getting more possibility being pulled over.

I put a cheap (cost me $150.00) set of 55W 5000s in Nick's SVX and could see no differance in the light output between those and the two sets of ($200.00) 35W 5000s in our other SVXi.
The 35W sets run much cooler than our stock halogen bulbs.




I am curious why they are so cheap...

[Tim]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

I am curious why they are so cheap...

Me too...

Replacement bulbs cost more than the whole setup.

[processengr]

I have installed both the $200 OT HIDs and an $80 set from Ebay in 2 SVXi...These were my observations/memory during installation:
OT 5k HIDS:
Fiberglass jacketed teflon insulated lamp wiring.
Long wire lengths to allow mounting ballasts further from lamps.
Bulb and base designed for 9005 application.
Cast aluminum ballast housings.
Potted electronics???? (Typically in cast housings, but didn't open them up. Huge theoretical advantage in this application. Need to confirm this...)
Color:5k White-water clear-pure
No radio interference.

Ebay 5k HIDS:
Silicone insulated lamp wiring, no jacket.
Short wire lengths limit mounting ballasts near lamps
9005 Base drilled out to accept (H1??) generic lamp (Osram).
Computer hard drive ballast housings, fiberboard pcb. Brackets that ballast fits into.
Color 5k Blueish, with yellow and violet visable-oil in puddle rainbow color.
Radio interference, in the form of decreased FM signal when lamps turned on (another member here has same lamps, without interfference, so may be related to my headunit.)

[IppoJ]

If anyone has any specific questions about these I'll volunteer to give DDM a call.

Don't ask me to call with how-to-install questions, they won't know.



btw, I do know that they honor their lifetime warranty and they replace the bulbs in pairs.

[svxistentialist]

This is more of an observation than a question.

In England replacement HID kits are not approved for road use unless automatic beam leveling and headlight washing systems are installed.

The rationale behind this is simple and obvious, particularly in the case of the dipped beams. As the lamps put out many times the light output of standard halogen bulbs, these regulations are applied as a means of ensuring on-coming drivers are not dazzled by your new powerful headlamps.

The regulations are for safety.

So the rule on automatic levelling means that your dips will drop if the vehicle is heavily loaded at the back. As it will be automatic, there is no chance you will "forget" to reset them, assuming you had an electro-mechanical leveller inside the car, as many cars now have.

I presume the rule on headlamp cleaning systems is geared to prevent dirty headlamp lenses from scattering the more powerful beam, again this is an anti-dazzle control regulation.

People fit them anyway and ignore the regulations. You can increasingly notice the number of after-market HID fits that will blind you at night. OEM fitments like BMWs and Range Rovers, their lights are always properly lowered by the automatic levelling systems.

The point of all this explanation of the rules this side of the Pond is to ask "Are there any regulations in the US that preclude use of these, or stipulate control systems for the beams?"

Joe

[IppoJ]

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

This is more of an observation than a question....The point of all this explanation of the rules this side of the Pond is to ask "Are there any regulations in the US that preclude use of these, or stipulate control systems for the beams?"

Joe

The short answer is: aftermarket HIDs are currently illegal here.
The expanded answer is: as long as they are properly installed, aimed and not some ridiculous temperature you will not get ticketed.

I am certainly not a proponent of throwing HIDs into anything/everything.
The SVX has projectors, everyone here is pretty particular about keeping their SVX spotless and leveling isn't an issue since an SVX can not really get heavily loaded.
But, to your point, I can not stress enough how important proper aiming is.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by IppoJ

The short answer is: aftermarket HIDs are currently illegal here.
The expanded answer is: as long as they are properly installed, aimed and not some ridiculous temperature you will not get ticketed.

I am certainly not a proponent of throwing HIDs into anything/everything.
The SVX has projectors, everyone here is pretty particular about keeping their SVX spotless and leveling isn't an issue since an SVX can not really get heavily loaded.
But, to your point, I can not stress enough how important proper aiming is.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to get a set, they will increase the safety of the car.

The situation with UK SVXs is even better for HID fitment:

Bonus #1:
The lenses are glass, and do not get opaque with age and weathering.

Bonus #2:
There are headlamp high-pressure washer jets on the bumper to keep the headlamps clean.

Bonus #3:
The dipped beam can be electrically lowered from a switch on the console if the car is carrying a lot of weight in the back.

Little or no excuse for keeping them properly aimed with these advantages.

Joe

[techy101]

W00t

[IppoJ]

Originally Posted by techy101

W00t

Already!? awesomecrazy!!

[techy101]

Originally Posted by IppoJ

Already!? awesomecrazy!!

I cheated and paid for 2nd day air

[IppoJ]

Good call.
What's your impression of them so far?

[techy101]

Originally Posted by IppoJ

Good call.
What's your impression of them so far?

Unboxing they feel solid. The ballasts are tiny

I've got to get my lazy butt up soon and get out to the garage and put em in before work. Even though I won't be able to really use them until next week.