Head lights that actually work.....
Discussion
Try PIAA bulbs. They are like night and day...literally!
http://www.piaa.co.uk/bulbs/bulbshow.asp?ID=platwh...
http://www.piaa.co.uk/bulbs/bulbshow.asp?ID=platwh...
first you should tell us which lights you have fitted? (picture??)
i´ve seen indy´s with 7" headlamps which should work fine, even sourced from a low-cost brand, i´ve seen lots of indy´s having 4.5" ones fitted...they look nice and modern but they never produce enough light for driving safely through the night.
i´ve seen indy´s with 7" headlamps which should work fine, even sourced from a low-cost brand, i´ve seen lots of indy´s having 4.5" ones fitted...they look nice and modern but they never produce enough light for driving safely through the night.
These tick all your boxes but not sure of legality:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HID-KIT-BI-XENON-PROJECT...
Phil
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HID-KIT-BI-XENON-PROJECT...
Phil
legality? i guess not.
what i sure dont like on those lamps is the fact, that they are blinding other motorists...which is dangerous...!!!
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. 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.
The following is the legal rationale:
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.
However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).
For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:
1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:
1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:
Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
what i sure dont like on those lamps is the fact, that they are blinding other motorists...which is dangerous...!!!
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. 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.
The following is the legal rationale:
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.
However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).
For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:
1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:
1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:
Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Edited by GinG15 on Friday 30th December 22:37
[quote=GinG15]legality? i guess not.
what i sure dont like on those lamps is the fact, that they are blinding other motorists...which is dangerous...!!!
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps.
Gin,
Bit of a sweeping statement don't you think?
Not all aftermarket HID kits are the same.
As the 'department' above states they are talking about the replacement of stock halogen bulbs with HID's in the stock headlamp housing.
My link above shows a complete headlamp unit with integrated HID.
If I read this right they are not the same thing?
Also, there are I believe a couple of different ways in which manufacturers cutoff the high beam pattern in the HID design.
Anyways, just my 2p.
Your mileage may vary.
Phil
420 SEAC
However, saying all this I have read you also need mandatory headlamp wash for all HID's. Maybe someone can confirm this.
what i sure dont like on those lamps is the fact, that they are blinding other motorists...which is dangerous...!!!
From the DfT:
December 2006
Aftermarket HID headlamps
In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps.
Gin,
Bit of a sweeping statement don't you think?
Not all aftermarket HID kits are the same.
As the 'department' above states they are talking about the replacement of stock halogen bulbs with HID's in the stock headlamp housing.
My link above shows a complete headlamp unit with integrated HID.
If I read this right they are not the same thing?
Also, there are I believe a couple of different ways in which manufacturers cutoff the high beam pattern in the HID design.
Anyways, just my 2p.
Your mileage may vary.
Phil
420 SEAC
However, saying all this I have read you also need mandatory headlamp wash for all HID's. Maybe someone can confirm this.
Transmitter Man said:
......However, saying all this I have read you also need mandatory headlamp wash for all HID's. Maybe someone can confirm this.
Headlight wash and auto leveling are the requirements in the IVA manual so I imagine this is the line a VOSA roadside stop check would also apply.Steve
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