Xenon lights, where do you start?

[Frisky]

I am considering upgrading my lights to Xenon light. No idea where to start to be honest. My 111R has H7 Main beam and H1 Dip light that much I do know, but do I need to upgrade both or just the main beam?

I have seen kits for H7 and H1 upgrades not sure if I need both or not. Wife has Clio 197 which has these things as standard and I swear they worth the cost but not sure where to start.

Any one have and ideas of how and where I can this off the ground as it were?

[buzzer]

Its easy and cheap.

Buy a kit off Ebay . Mine was £55. best to stick with just the dipped beam as HID take a while to come on so not suitable for main beam

Remove the inner wheal arch
Remove the headlight covers
Fit new bulbs
Mount the HID unit in a suitable position behind the inner wheel arch
Do the wiring, easy its just simple connections, no modification needed
Adjust the light beams before you put the headlight cover back on.

Did this to my 111R a few months ago, good conversion the lights are MUCH better.

Someone from the PC brigade will be along in a minute to tell you its illegal…HID, no self levelling, not designed for the headlights… works for me…

Edited by buzzer on Wednesday 18th March 21:12

[Beachbum]

I have seen an S1 with Main, dipped and driving lights converted to HIDs. All I can say is that when I have the money,it will be the first upgrade I do to my 111R. Even before the exhaust.
This is assuming I actually ever end up with some money to spend on the car

[S Works]

I converted my S2 to HID's on dipped and it was like night and day. Well worth it

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Dipped and main on my 111R, the main comes on pretty bright, but does take another 2s to get to full brightnes, not an issue though. Worth getting some 1.1W LED sidelights as well from UltraLEDs to complete the look.

[Grinnders]

Beachbum said:

I have seen an S1 with Main, dipped and driving lights converted to HIDs. All I can say is that when I have the money,it will be the first upgrade I do to my 111R. Even before the exhaust.
This is assuming I actually ever end up with some money to spend on the car

Cheers Beachy... guess that will be my cue.

I have full Bi-Xenons, Hi/Lo (off Ebay) and spots (from Eliseshop) on my S1 plus sidelight LEDs (from somewhere else). With an S2 it is simpler as you have a seperate bulbs per function; i.e. 1 set for Lo beam, 1 for Hi beam, 1 for spots.... 3 seperate systems.

Here's my co-contribution on SELOC Techwiki
http://wiki.seloc.org/a/High_Intensity_Discharge_l...

I had a few issues initially with one of my ebay burners but TBH that was probably my ham fisted-ness on installation damaging the burner (it's gas that ignites not filament hence a change in phrase from bulb to burner). I have changed the flaky burner and it is reliable, but I do have a seperate wiring harness. S1s were prone to poor electrical wiring so using a seperate harness helped to ensure quality supply from the battery. This option also provides a way to restore to original config for whatever reason. May be something to consider... The other is luminescense... 4300k is yellow white as per Halogen, 6000k is slighty bluey white (a modern White.. my preference) check the SELOC techwiki for a side by side comparison Anythign else is just Chav.

I've no experience of S2 installation, but there are some pointers in SELOC. It is not an upgrade you'll regret.

Edited by Grinnders on Thursday 19th March 23:00

[ModMan]

I followed that guide on Seloc and this guide for my S2: http://www.trix.com/Elise-HID/

Bought a HID kit off ebay and some LED sidelights (Do these at the same time) Took me a couple of hours.

This is the kit I bought off eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H1-6000-k-50w-HID-Xenon-Conv...

[21TonyK]

ModMan said:

I followed that guide on Seloc and this guide for my S2: http://www.trix.com/Elise-HID/

Bought a HID kit off ebay and some LED sidelights (Do these at the same time) Took me a couple of hours.

This is the kit I bought off eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H1-6000-k-50w-HID-Xenon-Conv...

Excellent install guide Ordered a set to fit post-MOT on Monday

[wantalotus]

The best thing since sliced bread, these lights are soooooo much better. I think the MOT can be an issue, but depending where you go, they can be sympathetic, as opposed to being pathetic. Do it, it is what the car deserves.

[Grinnders]

wantalotus said:

I think the MOT can be an issue

I have had mine pass at Sportomotive 2 years running. They did a little adjustment first time on one side only but passed no probs ever since. There in Salisbury, but I see you're in Wales so may be less practical.

[F.C.]

A guide to light output of HID kits.

3000K = 2900lu - yellow
4300K = 3200lu - white with a tint of yellow, (MAX light output)
5000K = 3100lu - white
6000K = 2800lu - white with blue
8000K = 2450lu - blue (chav)
10000K = 2200lu - blue/purple (very chav)
12000K = 1800lu - purple (extremely chav)
lu = Lumens.

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Also remember, the higher the Kelvin, the less visability there is generally speaking.

Passed an MOT without a problem. Elise uses a lens to focus the light, not a multi-faceted reflector, so there's less problem with after market HID fitting.

[Veckor]

Starting place would be to get a approved D2 headlight. Its impossible to E mark a HID bulb for Halogen figment so all the HID conversion bulbs are actually illegal to use on the road. This is why you have to get a new headlight unit.

[21TonyK]

Right, got the dipped beam sorted and now the side lights look really naff compared to the nice "white" light. Anyone suggest a replacement "white" bulb? Not interested in a chav "blue" light but something similar to the HID which is 6000K

[Grinnders]

21TonyK said:

Right, got the dipped beam sorted and now the side lights look really naff compared to the nice "white" light. Anyone suggest a replacement "white" bulb? Not interested in a chav "blue" light but something similar to the HID which is 6000K

LEDs from a few places like UltraLEDs.

[21TonyK]

Grinnders said:

21TonyK said:

Right, got the dipped beam sorted and now the side lights look really naff compared to the nice "white" light. Anyone suggest a replacement "white" bulb? Not interested in a chav "blue" light but something similar to the HID which is 6000K

LEDs from a few places like UltraLEDs.

Did that, they melted They lasted about 2-3 months and packed up. Looked at them again today but you can see where the heat got to them. Have been recommended the PIAA "white" bulbs so might give them a go. (£20 a pair though!)

[wantalotus]

I too tried the LED's, not much luck either. reluctant to go the PIAA route, expensive, and might be as unreliable as the other 2 sets I've had?
Still looking for the answer.........

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

21TonyK said:

Grinnders said:

21TonyK said:

Right, got the dipped beam sorted and now the side lights look really naff compared to the nice "white" light. Anyone suggest a replacement "white" bulb? Not interested in a chav "blue" light but something similar to the HID which is 6000K

LEDs from a few places like UltraLEDs.

Did that, they melted They lasted about 2-3 months and packed up. Looked at them again today but you can see where the heat got to them. Have been recommended the PIAA "white" bulbs so might give them a go. (£20 a pair though!)

Which ones did you get? I got the 1.1W ones in a metal canister - they've done 10k miles (I always drive with lights on, stops people pulling out on me so much).

[Grinnders]

Mine are okay... Did you get the right polarity ?

[21TonyK]

Grinnders said:

Mine are okay... Did you get the right polarity ?

Anty opinters as to what ones you have used. eBay seems to be full of cheap imports.