996 Headlight bulb upgrade
Discussion
Bennachie said:
IF your aftermarkets or facory fit for that matter do not have self levelling and wash (which are working) they are a FAIL, regardless of your friendly OPC.
Not a friendly OPC but tester who accepts that the rules are somewhat open to interpretation in many respects. The OPS specifically asked the tester beforehand as I was going to change the lights over if need be - he said no need as long as they worked and were correctly aligned. They were. I expect a test station has rather a lot to lose if they get this wrong.Bennachie said:
IF your aftermarkets or facory fit for that matter do not have self levelling and wash (which are working) they are a FAIL, regardless of your friendly OPC.
This simply isnt correct.For a start, there are cars with EU type approval which have factory fitted HIDs, which do not have self-levelling lamps (nor do they ahve self-levelling rear suspension either). This makes a mockery of the DfT view, which is widely repeated: even they pointed out that it was just an opinion btw.
Secondly, the purpose of the MOT test isnt to enforce the law, it is to ensure that vehicles reach a certain minimum standard. There are instances where a vehicle may pass an MOT test in such a condition that it will fall foul of the law.
Bennachie said:
The Department of Transport Fact Sheet refers to aftermarket HID kits.
Standard fit Xenons are legal IF fitted with a wash system which works and an automatic levelling system (again which works).
Did you actually read the info.?
Re; filaments, referring to a fitting designed for a filament bulb.
'The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.'
HID and LED are both perfectly legal in UK and Europe as long as they comply with various regs.
Is there a regulation regarding permitted bulb intensity (not colour temp)?Standard fit Xenons are legal IF fitted with a wash system which works and an automatic levelling system (again which works).
Did you actually read the info.?
Re; filaments, referring to a fitting designed for a filament bulb.
'The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.'
HID and LED are both perfectly legal in UK and Europe as long as they comply with various regs.
Edited by Bennachie on Saturday 23 June 17:30
Thought I may as well share my experience, having ventured on the darkside and used "illegal" HIDs for several years:-
We are talking about the fitting of after market HIDs to headlight units originally designed for Halogen filaments.
1. In theory they don't comply with blah blah regulations, but in practice few MOT testers can be bothered to investigate what bulbs you have fitted if they pass the headlight alignment test. So not much of a real world issue.
2. The Halogen headlight units use 3 H7 bulbs each. 1 for dipped, 1 for main beam and 1 for fog.
3. It is unlikely that anyone would replace all 3 bulbs with HIDs and Ballasts as there is simply not the space to accomodate that many ballasts in or near each the headlamp unit.
4. The most convenient substitute is to replace the dipped beam bulb with an HID tube and slimline Ballast which can actually be fitted inside the headlamp shell without the need to drill holes in the inspection cover.
5. If Dip and Main beam bulbs are replaced the ballasts have to be mounted elsewhere in the wing cavity and will necessitate the holes being drilled in the headlamp covers. 1st issue with this is that the integrity of the dust/water seal of the headlamp is weakened. Second issue is that it is not possible to quickly "flash" other road users with main beam as the warm up time of the HID tube is longer than the average time anyone would prod the lighting stalk. (leading to the risk that you may think you have given the flash signal but it may not have been seen).
6. Halogen bulbs deteriorate greatly with time and much of the criticism aimed at the original units is simply due to the fact that the bulbs are past it. The colour and intensity changes.
7. HIDs definitely emit more light, as can be seen by observing the glow from every reflective road sign nearby. Its fair to say that the way ahead is brightly lit in a much more diffuse manner - ie less focused.
And now the personal opinion part. The headlight unit is designed for halogen bulbs and will give a more controlled and focused illumination of the road ahead than the "floodlight" illumination produced by HIDs.
Having used both types, my opinion is that to replace all H7 bulbs with the latest incarnation of Osram Night Breakers (about £15/pair) give the best overall performance I have experienced so far, especially when all 3 bulbs are replaced together. They don't last for ever but replacing the dip unit yearly is hardly going to break the bank!
Maybe not such a "fashionable" upgrade but an effective one.
We are talking about the fitting of after market HIDs to headlight units originally designed for Halogen filaments.
1. In theory they don't comply with blah blah regulations, but in practice few MOT testers can be bothered to investigate what bulbs you have fitted if they pass the headlight alignment test. So not much of a real world issue.
2. The Halogen headlight units use 3 H7 bulbs each. 1 for dipped, 1 for main beam and 1 for fog.
3. It is unlikely that anyone would replace all 3 bulbs with HIDs and Ballasts as there is simply not the space to accomodate that many ballasts in or near each the headlamp unit.
4. The most convenient substitute is to replace the dipped beam bulb with an HID tube and slimline Ballast which can actually be fitted inside the headlamp shell without the need to drill holes in the inspection cover.
5. If Dip and Main beam bulbs are replaced the ballasts have to be mounted elsewhere in the wing cavity and will necessitate the holes being drilled in the headlamp covers. 1st issue with this is that the integrity of the dust/water seal of the headlamp is weakened. Second issue is that it is not possible to quickly "flash" other road users with main beam as the warm up time of the HID tube is longer than the average time anyone would prod the lighting stalk. (leading to the risk that you may think you have given the flash signal but it may not have been seen).
6. Halogen bulbs deteriorate greatly with time and much of the criticism aimed at the original units is simply due to the fact that the bulbs are past it. The colour and intensity changes.
7. HIDs definitely emit more light, as can be seen by observing the glow from every reflective road sign nearby. Its fair to say that the way ahead is brightly lit in a much more diffuse manner - ie less focused.
And now the personal opinion part. The headlight unit is designed for halogen bulbs and will give a more controlled and focused illumination of the road ahead than the "floodlight" illumination produced by HIDs.
Having used both types, my opinion is that to replace all H7 bulbs with the latest incarnation of Osram Night Breakers (about £15/pair) give the best overall performance I have experienced so far, especially when all 3 bulbs are replaced together. They don't last for ever but replacing the dip unit yearly is hardly going to break the bank!
Maybe not such a "fashionable" upgrade but an effective one.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff