installing hids and the cover in the way

GERMAN ROCKS

i was thinking of installing 4300k hids in my car and was looking today and was just wondering how do people manage with the cover behind the bulbs and the ballest that has to be tied somewhere. do people just leave this cover off or drill a few holes in it so the wires firt or what?

dgt

What car?

GERMAN ROCKS

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

i was thinking of installing 4300k hids in my car and was looking today and was just wondering how do people manage with the cover behind the bulbs and the ballest that has to be tied somewhere. do people just leave this cover off or drill a few holes in it so the wires firt or what?

You do know they are illegal in the E.U don't you ?

But at least you got the legal 4300 colour temp, they are still illegal though as after market kits.

Hopefully you put them in projector type headlights ?

Seemingly the NCT is to include testing or check ? for fitting of HID's in the not too distant future.

If I were you I wouldn't get them because you will probably just annoy everyone on the road.

nogoodnamesleft

Deleted User wrote: »

You do know they are illegal in the E.U don't you ?

But at least you got the legal 4300 colour temp, they are still illegal though as after market kits.

Hopefully you put them in projector type headlights ?

Seemingly the NCT is to include testing or check ? for fitting of HID's in the not too distant future.

If I were you I wouldn't get them because you will probably just annoy everyone on the road.

Depends on the Kit you get, the one I got in the past had a rubber gland to keep water ingress out once you cut a suitable sized hole in the back of the headlight housing.

I wrote a thread a few years ago regards how I fitted them:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055860560


Projector lenses focus the light very effectively I find the biggest nuisance on both UK and Irish roads if HIDs fitted to non projector lenses or cheap Ice bright bulbs!

Regards the NCT, my car passed the 2 x NCT with them fitted (the latest NCT was last year). I have re-registered the same car in the UK and it also passed the MOT in the last 2 months.

Was it worth it yes! In my case yes as standard passat dip headlights are woeful. Bulbs last about 2-3 years before blowing.

Wheelnut

@Nogoodnamesleft: Mad-lad is right, HID bulbs in standard headlights are illegal from this year.
@German rocks: Just leave the caps off the back of the lamps, you will be putting the old bulbs back in for the NCT.

mullingar

New NCT rules check for the correct type of bulb.

If you fit a HID bulb, the headlight must have washing jets plus the headlights marking must state that its HID approved(something like HCR). If not, instant NCT fail.

dgt

Wheelnut wrote: »

@Nogoodnamesleft: Mad-lad is right, HID bulbs in standard headlights are illegal from this year.
@German rocks: Just leave the caps off the back of the lamps, you will be putting the old bulbs back in for the NCT.

Be very weary of doing this, when driving in rain mist might get in and foul the reflectors. It happened to me, tread very carefully

Stheno

Why not just put in the likes of nightbreakers or higher powered regular bulbs?

I did this on my car and the difference was amazing*







*Rather the Oh was driving my car when I was away and needed to replace a headlight, and when whinging to the staff in the motor factors, they suggested them.

dgt

Stheno wrote: »

Why not just put in the likes of nightbreakers or higher powered regular bulbs?

I did this on my car and the difference was amazing*







*Rather the Oh was driving my car when I was away and needed to replace a headlight, and when whinging to the staff in the motor factors, they suggested them.

I'm guessing the OP wants the look of HID's and functionality of bright bulbs, hence 4300k and not 8000k

OP, regardless I drilled out the cover with a hole saw then used a grommet.

kona

I ****ing hate those poxy things fitted in ****boxes givin a beam pattern thats ****in awful. If your car was to ****e to come with them tough IMO.

vectra

The Important question here is.
What car, and does it have projector lamps?

Henry Ford III

Wheelnut wrote: »

...@German rocks: Just leave the caps off the back of the lamps, you will be putting the old bulbs back in for the NCT.

Great attitude that.

ironclaw

If your car doesn't come with HID's I really don't see the point in half doing a job. Either fit a full proper kit or just fit better bulbs. I often find people fitting these kits have zero knowledge of any of the light laws (Either legal or in the physics world) This is probably the simplest one and should really be understood before doing any sort of tinkering with lights.

Inverse Law: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/isql.html

vectra

ironclaw wrote: »

If your car doesn't come with HID's I really don't see the point in half doing a job. Either fit a full proper kit or just fit better bulbs. I often find people fitting these kits have zero knowledge of any of the light laws (Either legal or in the physics world) This is probably the simplest one and should really be understood before doing any sort of tinkering with lights.

Inverse Law: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/isql.html

Well,
If it is of any benefit to you, My car came with projector lamps and I fitted a HID kit to it myself.

You are welcome to call to me and inspect them yourself and please point out to me the difference in light between my one and a one with factory xenon's

mullingar

mullingar wrote: »

New NCT rules check for the correct type of bulb.

If you fit a HID bulb, the headlight must have washing jets plus the headlights marking must state that its HID approved(something like HCR). If not, instant NCT fail.

Also the headlights must be self levelling.

vectra

vectra wrote: »

Well,
If it is of any benefit to you, My car came with projector lamps and I fitted a HID kit to it myself.

You are welcome to call to me and inspect them yourself and please point out to me the difference in light between my one and a one with factory xenon's

That still doesn't make it legal, retrofits even in projector lenses still need self leveling and headlight washers. It all helps to reduce glare.

But I agree that they are much better in projector lenses.

Wheelnut

Wheelnut wrote: »

@Nogoodnamesleft: Mad-lad is right, HID bulbs in standard headlights are illegal from this year.
@German rocks: Just leave the caps off the back of the lamps, you will be putting the old bulbs back in for the NCT.

They have been illegal in the E.U for a long time.

we see the amount of HID retrofits out there that are very very uncomfortable and really annoying, That's why the law is there.

nogoodnamesleft

Wheelnut wrote: »

@Nogoodnamesleft: Mad-lad is right, HID bulbs in standard headlights are illegal from this year.
@German rocks: Just leave the caps off the back of the lamps, you will be putting the old bulbs back in for the NCT.

NCT regs for HIDS were changed in April 2012 as per the NCT manual:

http://www.ncts.ie/pdf/NCT%20Manual%20Revise%20May%202012.pdf

My car was tested in Ireland in Mid April 2012, and again in the UK in Dec 2012 (MOT) and it passed both test with HIDS fitted. Once the lights are focused and not blue/purple I recon most people will be grand when they are fitted to projector lenses!

mullingar

Deleted User wrote: »

Also the headlights must be self levelling.

No.

NCT requires the lights to be level adjustable, manual adjustment is a pass.

Read the manual in the link above

mullingar

mullingar wrote: »

No.

NCT requires the lights to be level adjustable, manual adjustment is a pass.

Read the manual in the link above

In E.U law every retrofitted HID kit is illegal, and I suppose if they wanted to they could make sure the Irish authorities enforce it. Self levelling lights, washers, no higher than 4300-4500? colour temp etc are all required.

I'm not saying I care, I'm just trying to make that fact known. I do care about the kits that blind me every day it is seriously annoying, I mean seriously. If a driver with these kits is behind you it's equally as bad as when they are coming towards you.

There are good fitted hid kits that are not so bad and most of them are in projector lenses, but sadly, most are very poor.

vectra

Deleted User wrote: »

In E.U law every retrofitted HID kit is illegal, and I suppose if they wanted to they could make sure the Irish authorities enforce it.

Hah..!!
EU law also says that VRT is illegal.. They can't stop that. :P

vectra

vectra wrote: »

Hah..!!
EU law also says that VRT is illegal.. They can't stop that. :P

I don't think VRT is illegal ?

Del2005

Deleted User wrote: »

In E.U law every retrofitted HID kit is illegal

I've searched and can't find any info about this. Can you provide the link?

vectra

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't think VRT is illegal ?

Did you write the eu law?? :P

vectra

vectra wrote: »

Did you write the eu law?? :P

Did you not see the question Mark ? meaning I don't know if it is or not and I bet you don't know either ?

And if it was illegal I'm sure we could take a case against it, but I doubt it is.

And why d I sometimes not get e-mails with forum updates, ?

mullingar

mullingar wrote: »

No.

NCT requires the lights to be level adjustable, manual adjustment is a pass.

Read the manual in the link above

Says it all doesn't it ?

Written in light blue is the reason for failure.

MugMugs

Mad_Lad wrote: »

Written in light blue is the reason for failure.

Am I missing something here? Option for both Auto level and manual level is given in that example?

Edit: you've just proved yourself wrong.

MugMugs

MugMugs wrote: »

Am I missing something here? Option for both Auto level and manual level is given in that example?

Edit: you've just proved yourself wrong.

Quote form the above PDF.

"HID headlamps must be installed as a complete type-approved system. The system will include automatic
cleaning."

What does the above tell us ? does it tell us automatic fail as retro fits won't be installed in Type approved systems ?

Reason for failure


15 HID bulb fitted in a non-HID headlamp. pretty much every HID Kit won't be in a HID type approved headlamp

16 Automatic headlamp levelling device not operating or manual
headlamp levelling device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

COuld that mean that manual function not working along with the auto function because if you read above the auto levelling must be fitted ?

17 Mandatory headlamp cleaning device not present. Most kits won't be installed with washers

18 Mandatory headlamp cleaning device not operating

SO lets not throw insults around, I don't know everything as I'm sure noone here does but this says to me that in order for HID retrofits to be legal, or pass the test they would need to be fitted in proper HID, i.e the manufacturers hid headlamp, along with auto level and headlight washer ?

MugMugs

Mad_Lad wrote: »

Quote form the above PDF.

"HID headlamps must be installed as a complete type-approved system. The system will include automatic
cleaning."

[COLOR="Blue"]What does the above tell us ? does it tell us automatic fail as retro fits won't be installed in Type approved systems ?[/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Reason for failure[/COLOR]


15 HID bulb fitted in a non-HID headlamp. [COLOR="Blue"]pretty much every HID Kit won't be in a HID type approved headlamp[/COLOR]

16 Automatic headlamp levelling device not operating or manual
headlamp levelling device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]COuld that mean that manual function not working along with the auto function because if you read above the auto levelling must be fitted ?[/COLOR]

17 Mandatory headlamp cleaning device not present. [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Most kits won't be installed with washers[/COLOR]

18 Mandatory headlamp cleaning device not operating

SO lets not throw insults around, I don't know everything as I'm sure noone here does but this says to me that in order for HID retrofits to be legal, or pass the test they would need to be fitted in proper HID, i.e the manufacturers hid headlamp, along with auto level and headlight washer ?

Get a grip of yourself I'm not insulting you or anybody.

You've quoted mullingar where he discusses auto / manual levelling. You then Quote the manual and draw vague attention to the levelling element of the same.

Mullingar is right, you don't have to have auto level, manual level will suffice.

16 Automatic headlamp levelling device not operating or manual headlamp levelling device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

Think you need to look up the meaning of or.

MugMugs

MugMugs wrote: »

Get a grip of yourself I'm not insulting you or anybody.

You've quoted mullingar where he discusses auto / manual levelling. You then Quote the manual and draw vague attention to the levelling element of the same.

Mullingar is right, you don't have to have auto level, manual level will suffice.



Think you need to look up the meaning of or.

Now you are insulting !

HID "Type Approved" headlights have auto level, as required in the E.U, so any installation of HID kits need to be in a type approved headlight not designed for halogen bulbs, also requiring headlight washers.

So the NCT if looking for a type approved headlight, ( if they don't ignore their own rules) will look for auto level and headlight washers and type approval of the actual headlight.

I hear you when you say "or" however I don't know if auto level headlights include a manual function maybe in case the auto doesn't work ? and this would be where you could probably pass, if the manual function.

However with retrofits, for a "COMPLETE" type approval it not only includes the headlight itself, the washers, but the auto level function as required in the E.U, otherwise it's not type approved.

MugMugs

Mad_Lad wrote: »

I hear you when you say "or" however I don't know if auto level headlights include a manual function maybe in case the auto doesn't work ? and this would be where you could probably pass, if the manual function.
.

Then it would say "and"

Anyway it's a moot point

nogoodnamesleft

Deleted User wrote: »

Now you are insulting !

HID "Type Approved" headlights have auto level, as required in the E.U, so any installation of HID kits need to be in a type approved headlight not designed for halogen bulbs, also requiring headlight washers.

So the NCT if looking for a type approved headlight, ( if they don't ignore their own rules) will look for auto level and headlight washers and type approval of the actual headlight.

High specification german marques of the early 2000's had Xenons fitted as standard and did not have washers fitted. So using that criteria even though in a hypothetical situation the car hasnt been modified owners should expect their car to fail due to bureaucracy of the NCT?

I recon most of the NCT testers have some level of discretion and once the light emitted is not scattered , mis - aligned, too/blue purple, not of excessive lumens and in a projector lens should be grand (as I said in my previous post).

Problem I have is those particularly of the boy racer fraternity having "off road" use bulbs fitted which has a brilliance similar to that of the sun!

MugMugs

MugMugs wrote: »

Then it would say "and"

Anyway it's a moot point

Well it isn't if they care about the type approval.