Hellfire
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 07:18 PM |
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Xenon headlights
Not kit related but assuming I bought a pair of xenon headlights to replace the standard ones on a tintop, are they just fit and forget or is there
something else required?
I'm crap when it comes to electrickery. 
Phil
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jlparsons
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 07:27 PM |
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Xenon could refer to two things - xenon filled conventional bulbs which are standard fit and cost a fiver, or high intensity discharge (HID) which are
a completely different kettle of fish and will need a whole new headlight and reflector assembly.
I specced HIDs on my clio - they make bugger all difference. Arguably they use less leccy but you'd never notice the difference in your mpg.
Also I find HIDs are a bit more blinding in the rear view mirror, but that's opinion of course!
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andyharding
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 07:47 PM |
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There is the chav (and illegal) option of fitting HID bulb kit from ebay to your existing headlight and then blinding every other road user you pass.
Are you a Mac user or a retard?
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ned
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:07 PM |
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i've fitted upgraded xenon mix filled conventional bulbs and they give an improved and whiter light. not staggering but noticbly better imho.
kits are available for hid conversion's but they are illegal and technically shouldn't pass mot but often do. hid's should have self
levelling and washers to be correctly type approved for a car iirc and conversion kits don't and might not be correctly aligned in terms of beam
pattern.
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:17 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ned
hid's should have self levelling and washers to be correctly type approved for a car iirc
That's correct, which brings about the question - can you put a car through SVA with them? I believe the EU regs on HID lamps came into force
after the current SVA manual was written (2004), have there been any updates?
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Hellfire
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:36 PM |
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I'm talking about complete headlight units, not just the bulbs and not the HID kits.
Phil
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ned
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:41 PM |
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replacement hid headlamp units will still not be oem for the car so as I understand it still won't be correctly type approved for the
vehicle.
why would you replace standard lights with conventional xenon bulb units when you could just replace the bulbs? bit confused, can you post a link to
an example of what you mean?
Ned.
[Edited on 19/3/08 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
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jlparsons
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:45 PM |
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I know they need a transformer, but from what I've seen on my clio it's all in one. My guess is you could swap them very simply. It
makes sense that the manufacturer would make up one loom which will take any option that gets ticked on the sales sheet, hence the amount of wire ends
on my tintop that've simply been taped off.
What i've done in situations like this is nip down the dealers at lunch time, wander over to the workshop and you'll usually find the
blokes are sat about eating their sandwiches out front. Pop a couple of questions and voila!
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caber
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:46 PM |
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It would be interesting to try a set of conversion kits on the SVA as, if they are set up to give the correct pattern there is no reason for them not
to pass then they would be legal on that car only. Some of the kits are "E" marked so presumably have passed in one European country, if
they carry a legit mark then it is a bit more difficult for SVA , or MOT for that matter to say no as you could if you reallywant to take it to the
European Court as limitation on trade!
Caber
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 08:58 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by caber
if they carry a legit mark then it is a bit more difficult for SVA , or MOT for that matter to say no as you could if you reallywant to take it to
the European Court as limitation on trade!
Caber
That's not really true, as in addition to the units being e-marked (component approval) the system must also be approved in place in the car
(lighting installation approval). The latter tests things like beam direction, auto-levelling, washer and angels of visibility which are not covered
by the component approval.
It's the same with all sorts of other stuff, for example mirrors: the units must be e-marked to cover certain requirements (glass integrity,
breakaway on impact), and the installation must be tested to ensure correct performance (visibility zones in this case).
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Hellfire
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 09:04 PM |
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These are the headlights I'm talking about.
Xenons
Phil
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Simon
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 10:15 PM |
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My ZT had Xenon fitted and I was quite pleased with their lighting, but then I hadn't driven a non Xenon Zt.
I bought a Xenon bulb for my FJ1200 many years ago and it was crap, so replaced that with a 130/90 and two 55w spots (on main beam switch), which
improved things no end
ATB
Simon
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tegwin
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 10:37 PM |
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I have HIDs fitted as standard on my polo.....driving at night is AMAZING!....I seriously dont want to own a car without them again...provided you
keep them clean they are the dogs danglies!
I assumed the starting current required was quite high, so perhaps the standard car wiring wont be up to it? Some people have been known to add an
extra supply from the battery just to feed the hungry HID ignitors
Edited to say...if you want to retrofit those lights to your car you are going to need the HID ignitor modules that feed into the bulbs....they are
not cheap!
[Edited on 19/3/08 by tegwin]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/3/08 at 10:59 PM |
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Best mod that I ever did - 3 times the light for two thirds the power consumption 
The dual beam H4 is not good as it creates dazzle but my H7 conversion beam is every bit as accurate as the oem stuff .... with no dazzle at all
As long as you have the washer & levelling system I see no reason why Mr SVA shouldn't like it.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Hellfire
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| posted on 20/3/08 at 12:54 PM |
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Just phoned Renaults technical department and it isn't as straightforward as it seems. He reckoned it would take a lot to convert to Xenon and
would require, amongst other things, a new front loom, new computer, some resistor thingies and a shed load of other bits and bobs and would proabably
end up costing a few grand
Forget that then......................
Phil
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