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HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:15 am
by Simon Jones
Anyone got any advice or experience with after-market HID /Bi-Xenon headlamp conversion kits? A quick look on ebay for the H4 fitting version shows kits available from £8.87 (from Hong Kong) up to £500+. The average seems to be around £50 - £70.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:21 am
by scanner
Unless you can also retro fit self levelling and headlamp washers they are not strictly legal. Both of those are legal requirements for OEM fitment.

Stiffly sprung pillock mobiles with them fitted are a bloody dazzling, dangerous, nuisance when they drive toward you.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:25 am
by dandywarhol
Never tried them Simon but whenever a poorly adjusted set blind me I can see the feckers far enough :evil:

I wonder how a softly sprung Bongo would affect other roadusers :-k

On a cheaper note - I'd to replace both bulbs this summer because of the poor state of East Europe's roads (and the fact they have to be on in daylight) with service station standard bulbs. I fitted a pair of Lidl Tesla +50% ones last week and could't believe how much brighter and whiter the beam is :D

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:30 am
by mister munkey
Are the Bongo headlamp units not made of plastic that can't take too much wattage without melting or am I confusing this with a previous topic?

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:33 am
by dandywarhol
HID draw less current so run cooler

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:34 am
by mister munkey
Right.

I'll shut up then. :oops:

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:35 am
by Simon Jones
Good points there. I only know of one Bongo owner who has them, so perhaps I'll ask him how he gets on with regard to dazzling on-coming traffic. I think this idea will drop down the shopping list for a while as I've just ordered a new radiator so I'm low on beer tokens now.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:37 am
by scanner
dandywarhol wrote:HID draw less current so run cooler
I think that should be the other way round.

They convert more energy into light than heat, therefore run cooler and therefore need to draw less current as a result.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:42 am
by dandywarhol
So they still draw less current then and won't melt the lens :? I was being simplistic.......... :wink:

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:46 am
by scanner
dandywarhol wrote:So they still draw less current then and won't melt the lens :? I was being simplistic.......... :wink:

I just thought you were putting the effect before the cause. :wink:

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:51 am
by mikeonb4c
I'm very happy indeed with 2 x 100W spotlights wired into mainbeam. Mister Munkey just got some Wipac stainless steel ones at a good price off ebay. I'm waiting to hear his report.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:49 am
by mikexgough
I'm with dandy with the 50%+ Tesla's from Lidl and at £3.99 for two, I am told they are the same as Osram, something to do with mergers after the cold war period and all that, I suppose the 50%+ from halfrauds might be similar but a £19.99 BOGOF they can leave it

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:35 pm
by dandywarhol
Tesla have been making bulbs for yonks - and inventing them!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla

AFAIK they are Osrams Mike

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:46 pm
by David Edwards
wat about the ones I had from my local what shop, h4 50% brighter, white or blue for £3.00 a pair.lol. I sent enough of em out.

Re: HID Headlamp Conversion Kits

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:33 pm
by Trouble at t'Mill
Can anyo0ne tell me what type of headlamp bulb the Bongo (early 1997) takes - is it an H4, etc?

Thanks.