Bulbs/Lamps

[F.C.]

I can't get to my car at the moment to have a look and I need to buy a replacement headlight bulb.
While I am at it and have the pod covers off I've decided to change all of the lamps,
so what type lamps/bulbs do I need to replace everything in the headlamp pod(s)?
Also has anyone tried LED technology yet? I don't think there are any CE marked kits available but I'm curious all the same.

[F.C.]

All the HID kits I have seen put the light source too far forward in the lamp holder and result on poorly diffused light, with the obvious problem of blinding oncoming traffic.

do you have a photo of the light pattern against a wall or like?
This usually shows the light pattern nicely, I'd consider HID lights if they produced a "proper" beam pattern.

[F.C.]

V8Dom said:

i thought hid was mot failure unless had self adjustment and washer?

Me too but there are exceptions, as far as I understand washers and self levellers are only an issue if they are fitted and don't work.
HID lamps in non HID housings are illegal, though many have passed MOT with them fitted.
If you purchase the whole lamp unit i.e. designed for HID use from Hella et al and they are "E" marked then this is supposed to be legal.
There is a lot of contradiction on the web, both on government sites and public forums.
Caveat Emptor.

[F.C.]

confusionhunter said:

Also the beam pattern on the ultima lights aren't as good as my Audi either. It seems to me the projector lamps in the ultima just arent as good quality as certainly audi OEM kit,

Edited by confusionhunter on Sunday 21st December 18:24

Nothing wrong with the Ultima lamps, they are designed for filament lamps, HID's light source is further away from the base of the bulb thus the focus on the reflector is "off" compared to a unit (as per your Audi) that is designed for the light source in this position IYSWIM.

[F.C.]

This has planted a seed, I'm off to find suitable donor vehicles HID projector lamps.
There must be loads out there now, even on more "budget" makes. (looks up spec on KIA, Hyundai etc.)

[F.C.]

Right then, off to have a look for some old Lags in the scrappy / Ebay

[F.C.]

V8Dom said:

just seen these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-2-5-Mini-HID-Bi-xenon...

Hi Dom,
Not had a chance to look for correct lag headlamps, most appear to be non-projector.
The units you have found on E-Bay I'd looked at and dismissed,
However at that price they might be worth a look for main beam application only, somewhat confusingly (subterfuge?) they advertise these as right hand drive units and require you to let them know if left hand drive is required.
From the beam pattern that they show in the photo it is clear to me that there is no dip cut off, therefore the same would be said regardless of left or right hand drive.
Not sure but it looks like there is some sort of sidelight built into the shrouds.
Reading into this a bit, the fact that you need to supply the HID kit for them is also a bit suss, the whole unit will get quite hot, I'm guessing they are sold without HID kit so if they melt it's "your" kit that has caused the problem.
Still nothing gained and all that

[F.C.]

V8Dom said:

Thanks guys
ive ordered direct if discount only 100+

ive ordered 5000 not 6000 as the internet suggest 6000 more blue less light

i need as much light as possible... when going from main toi dip on the roads and speeds we do, the brightness is critical

ill update what its like when they arrive and the salt off the roads to test

dom

If you want as much light as possible you will need a lamp in the colour range of 4100K (most around this temp range will be 4300K) from 4100K up the "lumens" diminish, also it is worth noting that after the lamps "break in" the colour temperature tends to shift upward, in some cases by >1000K.

ETS Phillips 85122 (D2S) range are quality and will be in the range of 500 Lumens brighter visible light than a typical 5000-6000K retrofit.
They also tend to colour shift upward as well but a LOT less (100K?) than typical retrofit.

Edited by F.C. on Saturday 14th March 08:58

[F.C.]

Racingroj said:

Eh! Is it only me that didn't understand any of that. Can someone put that in English please?

Colour temperature = visible spectrum for Human eye 4150(I think is Close to daylight) the higher the colour temperature the more the visibility diminishes, so a 6000K lamp will be blue colour and to the human eye less visible so less penetration into darkness, 4000ish K Lamp nearer daylight so human eye sees further penetration into darkness.

All HID lamps "Burn off" for the first hundred or so hours and then level off.
Cheap HID's will burn off 1000k's worth, going higher up the colour spectrum, whereas a quality lamp will hold to nearer its original K value.
The moral is to buy quality 4300K lamps if you want lasting visible light.
If you want blue light then cheap will do just fine.