Notices

H.I.D's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 1, 2002 | 08:54 PM
  #1  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Lightbulb

Can anybody tell me 2 things 1} does hid work on dip or main beam and why.2)I saw a hella twin light conversion complete with hid's it said you must have headlamp washers why?
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2002 | 09:55 PM
  #2  
Phil's Avatar
Phil
Track Day Organiser
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 23,377
Likes: 0
From: SX
Wink

As I understand it you will need a unit for dipped and a unit for full beam

I only have mine on dipped

Can't answer No.2

Sorry

Phil
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2002 | 12:53 PM
  #3  
Sbradley's Avatar
Sbradley
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 0
From: Croydon - returned to democracy! Yay!!
Post

Hi John,

On my '01 with Morettes, I have HID on dip only. The HID capsule does not have a filament so it cannot be both dip and high beam. That's fine with quad lamps where you have separate dip and main beam units (although bloody expensive!) but with a single lamp you need a solenoid to physically move the capsule. I understand such a thing exists but I have heard that it is a little flaky...

No idea why you'd have to have headlamp washers, although I wish mine still had them...

SB
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2002 | 02:28 PM
  #4  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

cheers guys I have spoken to hella they said either main or dip its up to you the washers are required when fitted in germany so it doesn't matter over here they dont do one for the scoob but for my focus they said 620+vat for the twin light conversion complete with hid for the dip not bad.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2002 | 02:46 PM
  #5  
evscooby's Avatar
evscooby
Scooby Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
Post

Found on the net:

The increased light output is used to give more homogeneous light distribution and to improve the illumination of the verges. The above are only achieved if the following 3 International regulation conditions are met.

1 The headlamps must be correctly aligned according to the regulations.

2 The vehicle must be fitted with an automatic headlamp leveling system.

3 The vehicle is fitted with an automatic headlight cleaning system. Without such the dirt acts as a diffuser for the light and distributes it in areas beyond the prescribed range.


** This auto-leveling and cleaning system is not only a 'must be' in Germany, but also in the Netherlands! **

EvScooby!
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2002 | 05:10 PM
  #6  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

The plot thickens!!
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2002 | 09:06 PM
  #7  
BugEyed's Avatar
BugEyed
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
Wink

John

I think EvScooby's info is spot on, but worse still, it is a European requirement! Still, one or more cats in the exhaust is also, and that doesn't stop a number of people running fully de-catted systems (for off road use only, Officer ).

The original HID capsules only kept the discharge in a single position, and hence when used in place of an H4 bulb (the twin filament ones used by Subaru on the standard lights) means you lose your high beams. People get around this by adding driving lights or going for twin headlamps such as the Morettes. Various companies have come out with ways around the problem - the cheaper solutions by adding a standard filament for high beam (bad news when it blows!), the more expensive by adding a device to move the capsule (also bad news - they cost about £750 ).

Duncan
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 11:53 AM
  #8  
Pete Croney's Avatar
Pete Croney
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 0
From: Scoobysport, Basildon, UK
Post

Self leveling and washers are a requirement for new vehicle type approval.

Once the vehicle is registered, HIDs can be retro fitted without these.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 12:14 PM
  #9  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

I am interested in a HID system to replace a Halogen H7 single filament type bulb.

Can anyone tell me which manufacturers make such a system?

Cheers

Edward.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 06:08 PM
  #10  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

So far I've come across hella,piaa and ultra who were the cheapest at £450
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 09:29 PM
  #11  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

Thanks John,

I did a search for ULTRA and came across:

http://www.regal-auto.co.uk/specialoffer2.html

Which shows the H7 kit I want and mentions HID dedicated driving lights for the Impreza @ £450, has anyone come across these ?

Cheers

E.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 09:42 PM
  #12  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

Its the first time i've seen the driving light version as regards to build quality the small upright rectangular lights look to close to a hella to be a copy so maybe they are using hella bits so they should be top notch
john
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2002 | 10:46 PM
  #13  
Dave T-S's Avatar
Dave T-S
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 4
From: Newmarket Suffolk
Exclamation

ScoobySport do the Hella HID drive lamp kit.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2002 | 12:00 PM
  #14  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

Any ideas how much??
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2002 | 01:08 PM
  #15  
Dave T-S's Avatar
Dave T-S
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 4
From: Newmarket Suffolk
Exclamation

Well, according to the ScoobySport website ( ), £620 plus vat.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2002 | 03:38 PM
  #16  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Post

£450 is nearly acceptable £620 ish I'll give it a miss especially as it will soon be getting lighter and who knows by the autumn they may be cheaper? hopefully
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2002 | 05:24 PM
  #17  
john mcfarlane's Avatar
john mcfarlane
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Cool

Yepp! that would be appreciated
cheers
John
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2002 | 12:43 PM
  #18  
Canuck's Avatar
Canuck
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Post

Huxley
that second set of HIDs you linked us to, from Takahaira, are quite interesting cos they look exactly like the set on Subaru's 1999 concept car, the Electra One. Pity they didn't run with that design when they moved to development of the S201.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2002 | 05:40 PM
  #19  
spider's Avatar
spider
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 0
Question

Edward, just had a look at the autolamps site - looks good stuff, but why are they marked for off-road use only? Did they mention this when you ordered?

Presumably there's no EU type-approval for them or some such reason?

Cheers,
Steve
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2002 | 08:33 PM
  #20  
Huxley's Avatar
Huxley
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,278
Likes: 0
From: In the garage or in bed
Cool

I know Canuck but how "much" i am looking in to Cibie Oscar xenon route at the moment just to see if they will fit on the front of the car in place of my PIAA's as everybody should know that Cibie's are bloody good lamps " i have 4 on the front of our escort mk2 and its like daylight when they are on and thats only halogen lamps!!

Huxley
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2002 | 09:28 PM
  #21  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

Spider, I was aware that the kit is for off road use. But after a lot of research I have come to the conclusion that non of the kits on the market are truly "street legal".

The Philips parts used in this kit are designed for cars fitted with HID from new, the bulb holder has to be specially made to fit in place of the H7 bulb. As far as I can find out all the aftermarket kits are very similar, but autolamps offer them at a resonable price.

I should have them on Friday or Monday so I'll post here what I think.

E.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2002 | 12:16 PM
  #22  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

I just got the H7 kit from auotlamps.

First impression - very good, the kit uses Philips components and the most important part the adapter to convert the HID lamp to H7 looks very good quality.

I'm going to try them this evening in another car that uses H7 (I am waiting for my Impreza), so I'll let you know what their like.

E.

[Edited by Edward - 1/11/2002 1:23:32 PM]
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2002 | 01:22 PM
  #23  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

Just received the HID spot lamps from Regal Autosport - very disappointing, the lamps I received are just Hella Comet 200 Xenon lamps with no adapters or instructions to fit it to the Impreza.

I am returning them for refund and wouldn’t recommend them.

E.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2002 | 01:28 AM
  #24  
etam's Avatar
etam
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Post

US people are getting hid kit for less than US$400.... go to
http://www.i-club.com and search in classified or group buy forum.

etam
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2002 | 10:45 AM
  #25  
Jmc's Avatar
Jmc
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Post

Yeah its depressing when I used to race quads I used to import race parts and the usual rule of thumb is whatever the price is in dollars then after you've paid your various taxes then it will be roughly the same in pounds.

I would like to know from Edward the price he paid and the main problems was it they didn't have the exact fixing bracket??
John
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2002 | 09:09 PM
  #26  
PeterPerfect's Avatar
PeterPerfect
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Post

Edward, the Comet 200s are great lights, I helped Hanslow to fit them to his MY00. When we tested them I was very impressed with the light output/beam pattern. I was comparing them to the lights I run, Hella FF1000 HIDs, which the ScoobySport site sells.

[Edited by PeterPerfect - 1/13/2002 9:13:20 PM]
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2002 | 07:32 AM
  #27  
Edward's Avatar
Edward
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Post

I tried one of the HID H7 lamps in the dip beam of my little Ford KA, the difference in both the whiteness and brightness of the light was amazing, the halogen looked yellow in comparison.

The most important bit, the beam pattern looked almost identical to the halogen on the other side.

I would definitely recommend them.

Peter - I didn't think there was anything wrong with the Comet lamps, but I had been sold them as kit to directly replace the fog lamps, without having to modify the car in any way.

JMC - I have bought two different HID setups, the first one I ordered was the fog lamp replacement kit from Regal, this was £350 + £10 Delivery + VAT. Total £423, all they supplied were two Hella Comet 200 HID spotlamps with wiring, nothing wrong with the lamps but no brackets or fixings to fit the Impreza were supplied. I also think these lamps may look a bit small in place of the fog lamps.

The second setup I ordered was to replace 2 H7 Halogen bulbs, this came from www.autolamps-online.com this cost £344 including VAT and delivery - which if you take VAT and import duty off compares well to the US price mentioned by etam above. The quality of this kit is superb and in my opinion very good value (Scoobysport price for a similar kit was £468 inc. VAT when I phoned them).

E.

[Edited by Edward - 1/14/2002 7:42:27 AM]
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2002 | 07:00 PM
  #28  
Jmc's Avatar
Jmc
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Post

I have today spoken with Janet at autolamps she certainly knows her stuff to be road legal in the dip fitment you have to have self levelling and apparently washers to be properly homologated which is why they state for off road use only I'm getting a hella twin kit for another car not the scoob this set up has four h7 bulbs so it would be easy to swap them around if necessary.

The price £344 for the 4100k h7 fitment
£400 for the 6000k h7 fitment
The 6000k gives you a very blue effect but loses about 18-20% of the brightness.
It is defo worth checking the website for the facts and the decent prices.

P.S According to another source h.i.d can and should be reasonably priced I was told to try looking on a uk website run by dealertec they are an electrical wholesaler they sell the different components but you have really got to know what you are doing before going down that route???
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2002 | 09:46 PM
  #29  
Autolamps's Avatar
Autolamps
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Post

There are a number of issues here, which are causing confusion, and we have had a number of mails so hope you don’t mind me answering live on the forum.

Who am I, well somebody who worked in 40 odd countries for 12 years for Philips Automotive Lighting the inventor of the gas discharge technology for cars.

In Europe and many other countries each component has to fulfil certain specifications and then the component is awarded an E mark which is proof that it has been homologated and meets spec. Each country has its own test house and its own E number. E-1 is for Germany and E-11 is the UK. When a headlamp system is designed for a car it has to comply with this process. There are numerous tests, not least light distribution and once the system passes it is awarded an E mark and can be legally used on the road . The headlamp in all cases is tested with a bulb that has already been awarded an e mark. Therefore the bulb and lighting assembly are tested together and approved together. This is why if you do not use an E marked bulb in this headlamp it is illegal for road use. In the case of Gas Discharge you can further complicate matters as every approved car using HID also needs automatic levelling systems and a wash device. This means even if you took the headlamp from a car designed for HID as original equipment and fitted it to your Subaru without levelling and wash facility it is still illegal.

These rules are applicable to both low or dip beam and high beam. This is why all HID retrofit kits are not legal for road use. That’s not to say they are not used and our kits lamp will switch with the halogens in less than 5 minutes.

If you have any more specific questions please come through to us directly and hope this helps clear up the discussion.

Pricing of course is important and ranges from a Korean kit with a 200-hour life for $300 to a total rip off Japanese kit costing $1500. The important thing to check is do they use 100% Philips components. They are not the cheapest but 80% of all OE cars use Philips and you will have up to 3000 hours life.

Nick

Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 07:04 PM
  #30  
Jmc's Avatar
Jmc
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Post

Come on guys get those moth eaten wallets out and go for it I am ??
Reply



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:06 AM.