HID or halogen bulbs?

Cass

Recently changed the radiator on a Vectra C (pre-facelight) and while i had the front stripped i decided to do some much needed DIY such as sanding and respraying the bumper (stone chipping wasn't gouged/deep but wide spread), and replacing the headlights and fog lights.

I bought a pair of new fog lights that are direct replacements but when it came to the headlights i decided to go for projector lights/Angel eyes. More of an aesthetic thing than something that was needed.

My question is about bulb choice. I swapped over the H7 halogen bulbs (Osram Night breaker and Lasers) from the old headlight units to the new ones. The light is clear, bright, focused and everything is working as it should (leveling motor, etc).

However i've done too much reading and am now wondering should i have/use HID bulbs instead of the Halogen. They are brighter, last longer, etc. but are they needed or more accurately are HID better suited to projector units?

In some articles it mentioned improper bulb choice can cause dazzling to oncoming traffic or give improper focused light.

Any input, advice or recommendations greatly appreciated.

DuckSlice

If you don't have projector headlights then you should be using HID as like you say, they dazzle oncoming traffic. I have nearly had a serious accident because of them because I couldn't see a car pulling out in front of me as I was dazzled by oncoming traffic with HID in normal headlights.

I think it might be an NCT fail also, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Del2005

etxp wrote: »

If you don't have projector headlights then you should be using HID as like you say, they dazzle oncoming traffic. I have nearly had a serious accident because of them because I couldn't see a car pulling out in front of me as I was dazzled by oncoming traffic with HID in normal headlights.

I think it might be an NCT fail also, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

The OP has projector lenses and self levelling so can fit HIDs. There is a code on the lense which says if you can use HIDs with it. You have to spend money on quality ones as the cheap ones are crap.

DuckSlice

Del2005 wrote: »

The OP has projector lenses and self levelling so can fit HIDs. There is a code on the lense which says if you can use HIDs with it. You have to spend money on quality ones as the cheap ones are crap.

oops, my bad

Cass

OSI wrote: »

You also require headlight washers.

Really!

What is the reason for that?

OP, you say the levelling motors work. Do you just mean the ones that work off the dial in the cabin or do you actually have self levelling motors and the required sensors on the suspension?

Just the standard dial in the cabin that adjusts the height of the headlight/beam. The new headlight units came with the ability to adjust them just not the motor so i transferred the motor from the old unit to the new one.

HIDs will require a bit of work.

Done a little "research" and i see the wiring looms needed and the room and i'm confident, but not guaranteed, that i'll have enough room.

However i'm not set on the HIDs however if the projector units require them then i may look into the necessary alterations.

The washers for them is a new one on me. I',m assuming, and open to correction, you mean a washer for the lens of the new headlight unit. As asked above i'm curious s to why they are needed when the bulbs are HID and not when the car has it's halogen bulb/original headlight.

biko

Cass wrote: »

What is the reason for that?

The main reason for the requirement is that dirt can impair the optical features of the headlamp and cause glare.

Incidentally, headlamps which are only slightly soiled cause a stronger glare, and of course the brighter the headlamp, the stronger the glare.

Del2005

Cass wrote: »

Really!

What is the reason for that?


Just the standard dial in the cabin that adjusts the height of the headlight/beam. The new headlight units came with the ability to adjust them just not the motor so i transferred the motor from the old unit to the new one.

Done a little "research" and i see the wiring looms needed and the room and i'm confident, but not guaranteed, that i'll have enough room.

However i'm not set on the HIDs however if the projector units require them then i may look into the necessary alterations.

The washers for them is a new one on me. I',m assuming, and open to correction, you mean a washer for the lens of the new headlight unit. As asked above i'm curious s to why they are needed when the bulbs are HID and not when the car has it's halogen bulb/original headlight.

Then you can't fit HIDs. I thought you had replaced with more advanced headlights. The cost of getting legal will be big.

Is there an LED version of your bulb available? They will have better light and lasts for longer.

bazz26

Headlights such as HID, Xenon or LED with a certain light output (brightness) are required by EU regulations to also have a fixed headlight washer system. They are also required to have automatic/electronic self leveling adjustment (not the manual type that has a button on the dash).

Cass

bazz26 wrote: »

They are also required to have automatic/electronic self leveling adjustment (not the manual type that has a button on the dash).

The RSA states:

The HID headlight assembly (i.e. headlamp and bulb) is fitted with a functioning headlamp levelling system, either manual or automatic. If the vehicle has self-levelling built in to the suspension then this can be considered to fulfil the function of headlamp self-levelling.

This would suggest a manual leveling system is acceptable. However what form that takes, i don't know.

bazz26

If that's the case then I don't understand why car manufacturers would go to the trouble and expense of fitting automatic headlight leveling systems to cars with HID/xenon headlights.

Cass

Del2005 wrote: »

Then you can't fit HIDs. I thought you had replaced with more advanced headlights. The cost of getting legal will be big.

As per my post above it would seem a manual adjustment/leveling system is sufficient in some cases however for me the point is moot.

My query was more about what is proper as opposed to what i "want". IOW i don't necessarily want HID bulbs it was more a case of should i have them to have the new headlights working at their peak.

I assume the regular halogen bulbs in these new lights will suffice or more accurately be legal. I intend to bring the car to the local garage. They have a headlight checking facility and i've used them once before when one headlight on another car was out of alignment. I'll have them check the focus/alignment to make sure it's within "spec", but as asked above i'm hoping/assuming the halogens are legal/sufficient?

Is there an LED version of your bulb available? They will have better light and lasts for longer.

I thought/read LEDs were less than halogens in terms of output, brightness, etc. Again i'm lost when it comes to lighting. I buy the right size bulbs and fit so when it comes to Lumens, etc. i don't check them and don't know much about them. However the few reviews i've read and videos i've seen show the LEDs as being poorer than the halogens and the HID

Cass

bazz26 wrote: »

If that's the case then I don't understand why car manufacturers would go to the trouble and expense of fitting automatic headlight leveling systems to cars with HID/xenon headlights.

Meet your brother.

As said above i'm lost when it comes to this and only for this thread i wouldn't even know about the washers. leveling system, etc.

It does say manufacturers that fit HIDs and self leveling systems are deemed to have fulfilled the self leveling function. I wonder if that means that while the NCT will check the lights for focus/height, or whatever it is they check. that they will not check for a leveling system if the car is listed as having an automatic self leveling system?

Jaysus my head hurts. All this for lights.

bazz26

It wouldn't be the first time either that a government agency had contradicting or inaccurate information posted either.

Cass

There is that too.

Tropheus

IMO, it's not worth the hassle as you will not get the car through an NCT unless they are factory fitted.

Cass

It seems the HID are more hassle than they're worth, but the only thing i'm concerned with now is am i "ok" with the halogen bulbs currently in the new headlights?

Anjobe

You need to check the type approval of your head lamp units. Look for the letters:

• HC for halogen dipped beam
• HR for halogen main beam
• DC for HID dipped beam
• DR for HID main beam