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HID headlight and spotlight upgrades

General Tech Talk

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HID headlight and spotlight upgrades

Post by BundyRumandCoke »

Im contemplating an upgrade of my lighting system in 3 ways.
First is to purchase another set of 7 inch round Altezza headlights. http://www.oztion.com.au/OA/oa_previewp ... um=1#mypic
I have previously had a set of these, and ran a pair of pretty bling blue bulbs. I was fairly impressed with their performance, given the fact that they have clear lens, and all the light diffusion occurs behind the bulb instead of in front. Unfortunately, one got smashed, and the other suffered water and mud ingress which stuffed the reflector. So I retro fitted a normal set of headlights.
Second is to fit a High/Low HID conversion kit off Ebay to these headlights.
And third is to fit another HID conversion kit to my set of Cibie Super Oscars.
I will keep my pair of 100watt combination spot/spread sealedbeam spotlights fitted, but maybe tilt them slightly outwards for more sideways light.

Opinions, comments, ideas please.

Are the Ebay conversion kits up to the job? And, of course, there are Ebay kits and there are Ebay kits, some local, some from OS.
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Re: HID headlight and spotlight upgrades

Post by bogged »

have a good talk to jet-6
he was selling a stack of globes recently, and did a lot of testing with this sorta stuff. answered all the questions I asked.
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Post by nicbeer »

I have bought a set for 175 H3 off ebay and hope to install them into some spotties this weekend. i got the 4300k 35w ones.

with the high lows, i have heard it may be better to use a halogen low and hid high.

Was a great seller and came quick to my door.

Nic
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Post by Shorti »

nicbeer wrote:I have bought a set for 175 H3 off ebay and hope to install them into some spotties this weekend. i got the 4300k 35w ones.

with the high lows, i have heard it may be better to use a halogen low and hid high.

Was a great seller and came quick to my door.

Nic
what seller did you use?
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Post by me3@neuralfibre.com »

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Post by nicbeer »

Shorti wrote:
nicbeer wrote:I have bought a set for 175 H3 off ebay and hope to install them into some spotties this weekend. i got the 4300k 35w ones.

with the high lows, i have heard it may be better to use a halogen low and hid high.

Was a great seller and came quick to my door.

Nic
what seller did you use?
orange_devices on ebay

the balast packs are made in germany so i am guessing there is some quality there.
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Post by HotFourOk »

I didn't think that HID kits in standard reflectors worked very well?
I thought you needed to use a projector type housing for them to work well.
Any comments on this?

From neuralfibre's articles, the HID in the spottie looks the goods :armsup:
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Post by Shorti »

HotFourOk wrote:I didn't think that HID kits in standard reflectors worked very well?
I thought you needed to use a projector type housing for them to work well.
Any comments on this?

From neuralfibre's articles, the HID in the spottie looks the goods :armsup:
I suppose for the outlay of less than the top of the range halogen spotties, you can buy some cheaper spotties convert them and have a light that in some cases would be better than most halogens on the market. It may not compete with the $1000 jobs, but I think if you can pickup a HID kit for around 150 bucks its a pretty cost effective upgrade.
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Post by HotFourOk »

Shorti wrote:
HotFourOk wrote:I didn't think that HID kits in standard reflectors worked very well?
I thought you needed to use a projector type housing for them to work well.
Any comments on this?

From neuralfibre's articles, the HID in the spottie looks the goods :armsup:
I suppose for the outlay of less than the top of the range halogen spotties, you can buy some cheaper spotties convert them and have a light that in some cases would be better than most halogens on the market. It may not compete with the $1000 jobs, but I think if you can pickup a HID kit for around 150 bucks its a pretty cost effective upgrade.
I was mainly talking about headlights, not spotlights, sorry.
David's option 2 was to convert his H4 to Hi/Lo HID.
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Post by amtravic1 »

I have 42 watt HID's fitted to a set of Cibie Super Oscars and a set of HID HiLow fitted to the clear type headlight inserts.
My thoughts are that the Super Oscars are are excellent with the HID upgrade. I was less impressed with 2 different versions of "sliding" type H4 kits and bouight a more expensive kit with two bulbs on the one stem of an HID globe to give HID hi and low. They are really good.
I am not all that impressed with the light control of the cheaper healight inserts compared to brand names such as Hella or Cibie but as I broke a Hella insert and had the clear ones I bought cheap from ebay I am using them for present until I get around to buying some more Hella or Cibie inserts.
My HID kits say they are 6000 k and I am very happy with the light. Not too blue for my eyes.

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Post by tuff4runner »

i have hird that hid low/ hi kits are ilegal on road is this true? or is that only if u put them in your spottys? aor are that ilegal in your normal head lamps as well?
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Post by Gwagensteve »

Correct. HID low beam headlights are not legal unless also fitted with automatic levelling and washers.

Some importers from japan have been stung by this as they have been unable to get ADR compliance for HID equipped cars unless they fit the washer/levelling unit, which can be up to $5K a pair (Honda S2000 was the example I heard)

HID high beam shoudln't be an issue as high beam is generally unrestricted (i.e you can legally use auxilliiary driving lamps when you can use high beam but they are illegal when on low beam)

the disadvantage with stand alone HID high beam is that there is a noticable warm up time and apparently HID don't like being (and can't really be) "flashed"

As an example, BMW use a moving lens to switch their bi-xenon lights from low to high beam, but still have an auxilliary projector halogen high beam light. (they also have active headlights which are the best thing since sliced bread, but that is another story.... so did a 1960 Ctiroen DS)

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Post by BundyRumandCoke »

Lighting systems
All additional lighting systems are to be fitted strictly in
accordance with Queensland legislation. Some additional
requirements are explained below.
Additional pairs of headlights, showing a beam of white
light only, may be fitted and must not affect the driver’s
view. The headlights must be mounted symmetrically.
Additional high beam headlights must extinguish
automatically when low beam is selected.
A pair of fog lights, showing a beam of white or yellow
light, may be fitted to the front of a motor vehicle with
the centres no higher than the top of the dipped beam
headlight. The lights must be mounted symmetrically not
less than 600mm apart.
Fog lights must be capable of being switched on and off
independently of any headlights but must only be able
to be switched on when the parking lights are on. Fog
lights must not be used except in fog or mist or under
other atmospheric conditions which restrict visibility.
Blue lights are not allowed on any vehicles except
emergency vehicles (for example police, fire and rescue,
and ambulance). Red lights and reflectors must face to
the rear. White lights and reflectors must face forward.
Yellow lights are not permitted except for clearance
lights on goods vehicles and buses, and indicators and
fog lights on all vehicles.
With the exception of indicators, flashing lights are not
permitted on any vehicle, except special vehicles for use
in hazardous situations (for example tow trucks) and
emergency vehicles (for example police).
10 11
Some modern ‘blue’ halogen bulbs provide superior
illumination to traditional bulbs. These bulbs contain less
red/yellow and more blue frequencies of light to achieve
a whiter appearance. [color=red][b]Replacement head light bulbs must
carry equivalent markings to the original bulb
(e.g. an ‘E’ mark, H4, ADR 51/.. or ECE 37/..).[/b][/color]

This comes directly from the QDoT Light vehicle modifications brochure. HID's are not specifically mentioned, but I think the highlighted part would apply. And it does talk about "replacement headlight bulbs"
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Post by Gwagensteve »

If I am right this paragraph id realted to additional QDot requirements. HID's are handled under ADR's and are the source document.

Auxilliary lights are clearly handled differently from state to state (hence the confusion over roof lights etc) but the ADR's on HID lights are clear. (oh, is that a bad pun? :oops: )

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by nastytroll »

roof lights are leagal as of 1998 when they were factory fitment on wranglers, I cant remember the appendix but it is in there, they must dip with the high beams
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Post by bogged »

nastytroll wrote:roof lights are leagal as of 1998 when they were factory fitment on wranglers, I cant remember the appendix but it is in there, they must dip with the high beams
I thought the wrangler ones were classed as 'working' lights or similar, I would guess they arent totally legal.. maybe RN can answer this one?
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Post by bushy555 »

Random thoughts:

ADR 77 and ADR 78 cover "HID headlamps" and light output.
Anything over 4300k mounted in factory "headlamps" is illegal in Australia, as per within ADR 78. (Like when replacing your H4 hi/lo)

"Drivinglamps" (aka soptties) don't come under ADR77 or ADR78. So - anything goes. Chuck in a 90watt 5000k HID kit into your XGT's...

Generation 6 ballasts are now out - they be fairly small. I reckon they should be able to fit inside the rear of the XGT housing. Need to buy a set.
Bushies: http://www.angelfire.com/on4/bushy5560/ http://www.angelfire.com/on4/bushy5561/
Lightforce HID conversion stuff: http://www.angelfire.com/on4/bushy5551/
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Post by cj »

bushy555 wrote:
Anything over 4300k mounted in factory "headlamps" is illegal in Australia, as per within ADR 78. (Like when replacing your H4 hi/lo)
Does that mean 4300k in factory headlamps are ok for hi/lo?
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Post by Guy »

My response to this question from another thread
I have a couple of problems both as a road user with superbright oncomming lights and as a driver that had superbright lights.
It is often very difficult to tell with HID's etc when the other driver has dipped their lights and the standard headlight reflector is pretty poor at reducing glare from so much light.
Also when you do dip your lights there is such a massive difference (this is also most noticeable with the ultra "white" lights that your eyes can take a second or two to adjust to the massive change in light.

Upgrade looms for sure, add some good driving lights so you can "stage" your lighting. Use the best quality globes you can get your mits on (Not narva or some blue painted 100000000000k bulbs or whatever) Not all headlight globes are equal.
Decent H4 inserts start with something like Hella or Cibie inserts, their reflectos and lenses are so much better that the cheapo crap ones .. the glass they are made from is also considerably tougher than the cheapies. Koto seem Ok as well (Used by some OEM's like toyota)
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Post by Gwagensteve »

cj wrote: Does that mean 4300k in factory headlamps are ok for hi/lo?
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers

Oh sorry, am I repeating myself? :oops:

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by cj »

Gwagensteve wrote:
cj wrote: Does that mean 4300k in factory headlamps are ok for hi/lo?
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers
for low beam, not without auto leveling and washers

Oh sorry, am I repeating myself? :oops:

Steve.
But what are really trying to say Steve? ;)

Just his wording made me wonder if there was a difference that allowed it due to the rating. What you said is what I understood it to be too.
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Post by The Master »

Interesting.

Citroen have no washers but do have self leveling on their C5 hids from about three years ago.

I know cause I pointed out to the Citroen dealer the lack of the washer which I believe is a legal requirement.

On a P38 Range Rover with headlight washers, would HID's be legal as the EAS keeps the car level?
:armsup:

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Post by Gwagensteve »

I like your thinking re the P38 :D as this is a high end car anyway, I don't image you would ever get a defect for them as they wouldn't be obviously out of place. (and never dazzle due to the EAS) even if they were technically illegal

I can't comment on the Citroen case, except to say that sometimes manufacturers seem to get around "rules" that seem to be pretty blatantly obvious.

as an example, current 7 series BMW's (and I think the new 5 and X5) have an electrically applied handbrake (it's pushbutton actuated) This is contrary to ADR's and BMW somehow managed to get it through, but did have to battle.

I am quite sure that 911GT3's and especially the RS are lower than technically permitted by ADR's, and I am sure that a thousand ricers have been defected for cars that have the same clearance.
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Post by droopypete »

Gwagensteve wrote:I like your thinking re the P38 :D as this is a high end car anyway, I don't image you would ever get a defect for them as they wouldn't be obviously out of place. (and never dazzle due to the EAS) even if they were technically illegal

I can't comment on the Citroen case, except to say that sometimes manufacturers seem to get around "rules" that seem to be pretty blatantly obvious.

as an example, current 7 series BMW's (and I think the new 5 and X5) have an electrically applied handbrake (it's pushbutton actuated) This is contrary to ADR's and BMW somehow managed to get it through, but did have to battle.

I am quite sure that 911GT3's and especially the RS are lower than technically permitted by ADR's, and I am sure that a thousand ricers have been defected for cars that have the same clearance.
We have a new rangie on the film I am curently working on that has a push button hand brake also.
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Post by Shadow »

droopypete wrote:
Gwagensteve wrote:I like your thinking re the P38 :D as this is a high end car anyway, I don't image you would ever get a defect for them as they wouldn't be obviously out of place. (and never dazzle due to the EAS) even if they were technically illegal

I can't comment on the Citroen case, except to say that sometimes manufacturers seem to get around "rules" that seem to be pretty blatantly obvious.

as an example, current 7 series BMW's (and I think the new 5 and X5) have an electrically applied handbrake (it's pushbutton actuated) This is contrary to ADR's and BMW somehow managed to get it through, but did have to battle.

I am quite sure that 911GT3's and especially the RS are lower than technically permitted by ADR's, and I am sure that a thousand ricers have been defected for cars that have the same clearance.
We have a new rangie on the film I am curently working on that has a push button hand brake also.
Peter.
Why is an electrically applied park brake contrary to the ADR's ????

The ADR's dont say it cant be electrically activated at all.

ADR 31/01

5.1.2.3. Parking braking system
The parking braking system must make it possible to hold the vehicle stationary on an up or down
gradient even in the absence of the driver, the working parts being then held in the locked position
by a purely mechanical device. The driver must be able to achieve this braking action from his
driving seat.

"being then held in the locked position by a purely mechanical device."

This is exactly how the electronically activated brakes function. They work by a worm drive system, where an electric motor drives the worm gear and mechanically activates the park brake. You can then remove the DC motor and the park brake will not disengage as its almost impossible to drive a worm gear from the secondary gear. [/b]
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Post by HotFourOk »

I'd like to see hand brake hill starts with a push button handbrake :D
Ride it cowboy :armsup:

P.S - On a tangent, how good was the old Subaru automatic handbrake for hill takeoffs... best invention eveerrr :D
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Post by Shadow »

HotFourOk wrote:I'd like to see hand brake hill starts with a push button handbrake :D
Ride it cowboy :armsup:

P.S - On a tangent, how good was the old Subaru automatic handbrake for hill takeoffs... best invention eveerrr :D
just load the clutch up and then let the handbrake off like ya normally do?
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