spudgun

just got an email from a friendly local japanese car specialist.it reads as follows:
"...make sure any kit u buy are true xenons. NOT the cheaper halogen/xenon mix. The real kits have a seperate ballast resistor and 'black box'. Top lighting suppliers call them HiD ( high intensity discharge) They will achieve up to 350% better lighting than conventional halogens and are still emarked and road legal.they also run cooler and bulbs last 5 times longer.The bad side is your car kit would be approx £600(!) plus vat(!!). this is the rrp from our trade supplier, so shop around and let me know if this is ballpark or overboard."
so thats the email i got, is it really gonna cost £600 plus vat for xenons?
anyone know if u can get em cheaper id really appreciate it
cheers!

GM

Hi Spudgun,

Just had a look at my Demon Tweeks catalogue. DT are selling PIAA HID headlamp conversion kits - prices range from £837 to £907.96 (plus VAT of course!)

There's always carrots I suppose.....

G

Paul M

Looking through the PIAA catologue, I think PIAA do a HID kit for about £600+vat, but this is bulbs and ballast only... No Lamps.
This is...obviously true Xenon gas lamp, where the light emitted is from the gas having a very voltage applied to it, similar to standard fluorescent lamps you have at home.The Xenon bulbs from people like ring(about£20 each) are just filled with Xenon gas, but it is the heated element from where the light is emitted from.
If you've got the cash HID are superb, but as I remember theyre still a £700 option for Audi's and the like.

sunilp

So, are we saying std headlights can be changed to HiD and not just the spots?

Sunil

GM

DT catalogue says "Now you can have a true HID system in your headlamps by just changing the bulbs! these conversions just fit into the standard bulb mounting on your standard headlamp. This latest technology gas discharge system from PIAA produces extreme intense light approaching 200 watts per lamp yet drawing just 35 watts per lamp. Prices are per kit which includes a pair of bulbs and ballast units with wiring loom."

Not sure I understand the bit about producing 200W output from a 35W input - sounds a bit like these wonderful lamps are creating their own energy! Maybe they mean "produce similar amount of light to 200W halogens"? Anyway, my credit card will be staying in my wallet I think!

G

Chris L

Spud

Scoobysport are also doing an HiD driving lamp kit now. Might be worth giving them a call if you're interested. Not sure on price though.

Chris

[This message has been edited by Chris L (edited 24 December 2000).]

spudgun

cheers chris, will do.
in the meantime, what are these xenon bulbs i see for £20 or so. how do these work, and are they any good. its gonna be great having a driving light conversion, but i want better headlights too, without having to spend over £600! i will use the driving lights on empty country roads, but i also want to be able to see on busier roads without having to go full beam( coz of oncoming traffic etc)

Moooser

Purchased a set of PIAA Super White bulbs from Demon tweaks - £40 odd and I'd say they look about 25% better/brighter than before ... nice white light too

Mac's Power

I have gone extensively through all the driving light options. PIAA, CIBE etc etc.
As I run a small Impreza tuning company here in Ireland I needed something that was sutible for Irish roads. ie bright with a good spread. Another problem was price as when I imported a set of PIAA's or CIBEs from UK then with the sterling difference they ended up over £300.

I eventually ended up using a Hella upgrade.
With proper mounting brackets and wiring this kit is just as bright as the PIAAs but much cheaper. We sell the full kit for £220 Irish Punts or £160 sterling. IMO it look much more standard than the comperitors systems as they fit flush. It uses 100w H3 bulbs and so far I have not blown any bulbs in my own car after 10,000 miles.

Paul.

sunilp

Hmm, prbably about time Macs Power sponsored a banner on the BBS?

Sunil

Mac's Power

Way ahead of you Sun!!!

Just waiting on our new website and then I'll be taking a banner. In the meanwhile I'll try my beat to get on as often as I can and help out with bits and pieces

Paul.

Dave T-S

rjc

Sorry about the delay in replying - had to get out of the country to avoid the relatives for Christmas!!

Bearing in mind the wiring loom that comes with the PIAA kit is a universal one (i.e. too short!!) I found the best place to mount the relay was to unscrew the relay mount bracket, bend it to 90 degrees and then mount it to the battery clamp bolt nearest the headlamp - it just fits in the space between the battery and the headlamp.