G
Guest
Guest
Hi Christopher
Ok now I dont feel as happy as I did.
It just goes to show that when I assume I get the answers from the sellers
its impossible to beat the real knowledge like you have.
I will have to conceed and go out and beat myself with a wet towel.
It goes to show thinking you have all the info can be as bad as not having
any sometimes.
cheers
john 92HDJ 80 1HDT
SNIP
Well John
Up to you. However if you know anyone who has these already fitted (eg
BMW X5, Lexus, etc) ask to have a look when they turn them on: you will
see that while they do light up instantly, they continue to brighten for
a couple of seconds.
*Every* OEM HID installation I've seen leaves low beam running when main
beam is on, and this is also a point the DfT made in that article
discussing retrofits.
Of course this isn't an issue if the hi/lo effect is achieved by using
the same capsule and physically moving it, although I would worry about
the long term reliability of that system.
As for the "few minutes to fit" ... well, ask Julian when he has fitted
the kit, but from what I've seen the issues are:
- The base of a typical HID unit, especially H4 ones, is larger in
diameter than a standard H4 bulb. Therefore one would either have to
stretch or cut the rubber seal on the back of the lights. I would hate
to cut it and lose the waterproofing.
- If the wires on the light unit stick out a long way, and are fairly
rigid, they *might* foul the radiator expansion tank on the RHS.
Hopefully this would not be a problem.
- You have to locate the base unit (ballast) somewhere close to the
lights. Probably not a problem, although I'd like to get it somewhere
reasonably protected from water sloshing in from the front. Depending
on how robust the ballast unit was I might make some sort of housing for
it.
Nothing insuperable, but I suspect it would take me a few hours rather
than a few minutes to get it done right.
So far I've chickened out for a combination of the reasons above + cost,
but I'd be delighted to see what happens when someone tries it!
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses
Ok now I dont feel as happy as I did.
It just goes to show that when I assume I get the answers from the sellers
its impossible to beat the real knowledge like you have.
I will have to conceed and go out and beat myself with a wet towel.
It goes to show thinking you have all the info can be as bad as not having
any sometimes.
cheers
john 92HDJ 80 1HDT
SNIP
Well John
Up to you. However if you know anyone who has these already fitted (eg
BMW X5, Lexus, etc) ask to have a look when they turn them on: you will
see that while they do light up instantly, they continue to brighten for
a couple of seconds.
*Every* OEM HID installation I've seen leaves low beam running when main
beam is on, and this is also a point the DfT made in that article
discussing retrofits.
Of course this isn't an issue if the hi/lo effect is achieved by using
the same capsule and physically moving it, although I would worry about
the long term reliability of that system.
As for the "few minutes to fit" ... well, ask Julian when he has fitted
the kit, but from what I've seen the issues are:
- The base of a typical HID unit, especially H4 ones, is larger in
diameter than a standard H4 bulb. Therefore one would either have to
stretch or cut the rubber seal on the back of the lights. I would hate
to cut it and lose the waterproofing.
- If the wires on the light unit stick out a long way, and are fairly
rigid, they *might* foul the radiator expansion tank on the RHS.
Hopefully this would not be a problem.
- You have to locate the base unit (ballast) somewhere close to the
lights. Probably not a problem, although I'd like to get it somewhere
reasonably protected from water sloshing in from the front. Depending
on how robust the ballast unit was I might make some sort of housing for
it.
Nothing insuperable, but I suspect it would take me a few hours rather
than a few minutes to get it done right.
So far I've chickened out for a combination of the reasons above + cost,
but I'd be delighted to see what happens when someone tries it!
CB
____________________________________________________________
Electronic mail messages entering and leaving Arup business
systems are scanned for acceptability of content and viruses