HID kits.

I've picked up a HID kit for a bike for a _really_ good price. It's a H7
6000K / 35 watt kit. Do these make a difference to night time riding?
Something to do with the increased UV output as opposed to a normal hot
wire bulb?

 

An amazing difference, I've been using them for a couple of years or so.

Here's my learning.

1. They are good for dip.
2. They take a while to get up to working temp. say 3-5s; so they aren't
any good for main beam.
3. Make sure you have a good main beam or switching to main beam will
*reduce* your vision.
4. Make sure you have a fucking bright main beam so you can blind any
car-driving-**** that decides to switch to main beam to dazzle you.
5. They probably wouldn't pass an MOT...

 

You're talking about HID with the special control box, not those high K
conventional bulbs? I thought the proper HID kit was instant light, and
didn't take time to warm up.. rather like a miniature arc light.

I was hoping to replace the main beam on my scoot with one, as it's ok,
but could be better, like the Bandit. I heard that the increased UV
output of HID meant that things glowed brighter at night.

 

...
..

T'other way around, the high K converntional bulbs are instant-on, the
HID's need a sequence of high-voltage, low current to strike up the arc,
then the arc current rises as the voltage drops, hence the ballast box and a
slight delay. On my honda (car) there's a half-second or so as it
brightens - they're the dips though, main beam are trad halogens.

I quite fancy the idea of 'em for Sir Nigel, but I'm not sure how much
hassle it'd be and a twin halogen conversion might be easier? Anyone done a
double conversion on a ZZR11? Even a HID plus halogen two-projector setup?

--
Dave H.
(The engineer formerly known as Homeless)

"Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men" -
Douglas Bader

 

I've had cars with factory-fit HID (Xenons) and they do take a few secs come
up to full bright.

They don't seem that special when you get used to them but it's very
disconcerting going back to conventional Halogen afterwards.

 

Ahh.. I musta got muddled up. Ok, these are on main beams. I rather like
the idea of having extra night lighting on mains. The start up delay can
be overcome by putting a delay into the dipped beam circuit, if needed.

I'll have a HID setup with H7 bulb for sale at around the £30 including
postage. In the next couple of weeks maybe.

 

Yes, proper HID not conventional bulbs.

HID on dip is *wonderful* makes everything a lot more visible. Add a
couple of ****-off-bright PIAA spots on main and the lights are
brilliant.

 

Like going from 6v to 12v lighting?

 

I'll have to contact the factory and ask them to send one of the kits
with a H1 bulb in it for the dipped beam. I may end up having to buy a
bulb if I'm too late with the order, *doh*. Then I can experiment with
dipped and main beam.

 

*Sigh* ... It's been a tough week. I did order a dipped beam kit, which
is the H7 bulb, the H1 bulb is the main beam kit. So that's good.

 

...

Ooh, nice - is the HID dip or main beam? And where would it need to come
from? Might be able to run it through the UR or get it picked up by one of
the chaps at work?

--
Dave H.
(The engineer formerly known as Homeless)

"Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men" -
Douglas Bader

 

Where from?
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

 

Brighton university. This HID kit is for dipped beam to replace 1 H7
halogen bulb. I just want my money back so will cost you £22 if you can
get someone to pick it up.

I'm expecting the kit in a week or two. I'll post here when I get it.

 

Ebay, item number 300136200489 . I'm making a gamble buying it, but I
figured that £44 incl postage with 18 month warranty was ok. Better than
the other option of £125 from Germany without warranty for a single kit.

 

Ta for that; it's handy to know about this kind of thing.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

 

Yeh. A friend of mine got a kit out of a Merc for nothing.... that would
be better still.

 

HID main would be ok if dip remained on? as per my Ducati

 

Thassa point. I must have a peruse round the nearest (only) breaker near
here. Got a huge yard with plenty of late model stuff in. Ideally I'd
need something with detachable lights that could be fitted into a
spotlamp shell.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

 

I got the kit today, bloody fast postage that. Going to have a go at
fitting the HID to my dipped beam tomorrow. Going to have a glance at my
headlight relay rating first.

It's got E4 Dot and TUV written on.. does this mean it'll be legal over
here in the UK?

 

<bated breath>