HID vs Stock Lamps

[68Rogue]

So what is the general consensus on HID lamps? I have had the car for two days and the drivers headlight does not like to come on. When the switch is turned on the lamp strikes but does not stay lit. I also found 2 spare ballasts of unknown condition in the glove box. Just wondering what everyone else has experienced with these and whether or not I'd just be better off converting back to stock lamps.
Thanks- Dave

[RubberCtyRauder]

I've heard HID's do not work well in standard housings for regular lamps..the light scatters too much, A better alternative is projector retrofitting or good bulbs actually do help.. Member Limited360 will have a better answer, he is LED and projector addicted.

[Limited360]

I've heard HID's do not work well in standard housings for regular lamps..the light scatters too much, A better alternative is projector retrofitting or good bulbs actually do help.. Member Limited360 will have a better answer, he is LED and projector addicted.

Absolutely addicted!!!


Projectors are awesome for output, you get to much scatter in an OEM reflector housing not designed for HID's.

But to your question, if it ignites and goes out my guess is a faulty ballast. What brand ballasts? Xentec? Plastic small ones or heavy stainless tell ones?

[fastblackmerc]

So what is the general consensus on HID lamps? I have had the car for two days and the drivers headlight does not like to come on. When the switch is turned on the lamp strikes but does not stay lit. I also found 2 spare ballasts of unknown condition in the glove box. Just wondering what everyone else has experienced with these and whether or not I'd just be better off converting back to stock lamps.
Thanks- Dave

Sounds like there is a flaky ballast the or connection.
I'd unplug the ballast from the affected headlight and look at the connector. If it looks OK try bending them a bit so they make better contact. If that doesn't fix the problem drug swapping the ballasts. Even if they are bad you won't hurt anything.
Although there is some light scatter with HIDs in the stock housings the light output is 1000 times better IMHO. Projectors are nice but are extremely pricy.

If you need anything HID or LED related checkout my forum Marauder Innovations. There is plenty of Bing there also.

[RF Overlord]

If that doesn't fix the problem drug swapping the ballasts. My doctor told me swapping drugs is bad...

[lji372]

I didn't make it a year with the hid headlamps (I actually gave them away in Louisville). I personally would call them a downgrade from stock.

Go stock or projectors IMHO.

[Limited360]

1000 times better? Well projectors must be 1,000,000,000,000 times better...

Scatter from drop in bulbs....

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t1.0-9/26479_387316681783_7981627_n.j pg


Projectors... Notice no light scatter above cut off line?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/1400529_10151948048826784_6081 646920856803360_o.jpg


Also this is a projector high beam.... No drop in bulb can even compare as it can not physically mimic the standard halogen bulbs filament location for high beam.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/10256490_10151948048846784_510 9011657022845256_o.jpg




My 2 cents.... get rid of the drop in bulbs if they are a cheap brand and at a minimum upgrade to a higher quality drop in set. I can provide more information on brands / suppliers to stay away from.

[Limited360]

My doctor told me swapping drugs is bad...

Mixing drugs can have some unintended consequences...

Like dropping prices for no reasons on products you have been selling for years

:banana2:

[68Rogue]

I believe they are the xentec style ballasts. Slim plastic housing. How much money and work are the projector lamps? Thanks for all the feedback - I really appreciate it. The one thing I am not looking forward to is removing the gobs of silicone sealant on the back of the lamp holder regardless of what direction I go.

[Limited360]

Gobs of silicone and the cheap slim plastic XENTEC ballasts... hmmmm *suspect*... Are they hi / lo beam functioning?

You should be able to order some replacement ballasts for those as I assume the ballast connection is external to the headlamp bucket...

[FastMerc]

I put hids in my stock housings and love them, no scatter on mine.

[fastblackmerc]

I put hids in my stock housings and love them, no scatter on mine.

+1

Same here. I've been had mine in for at least 5 years.

[Limited360]

I put hids in my stock housings and love them, no scatter on mine.

Pull up to a wall and take a picture please... Prove it...

This is a reason LJI372 gave away his Bi-Xenon kit... High beam was useless! low beam was marginal at best.

http://www.pakwheels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5.jpeg

That is what you will get... Called light scatter...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/haknslash2003/hid%20pics/thetruth.jpg

http://sportsautotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pnp-vs-retrofit-cutoff-output1.jpg

Drop in HID's into a reflector housing will cause glare.... show us your High beam as well while your at it...

[lji372]

Pull up to a wall and take a picture please... Prove it...

This is a reason LJI372 gave away his Bi-Xenon kit... High beam was useless! low beam was marginal at best.

http://www.pakwheels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5.jpeg

That is what you will get... Called light scatter...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/haknslash2003/hid%20pics/thetruth.jpg

http://sportsautotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pnp-vs-retrofit-cutoff-output1.jpg

Drop in HID's into a reflector housing will cause glare.... show us your High beam as well while your at it...

+a billion

Hid's must be better, that's why new cars come with projectors

***

[larryo340]

IMHO one would need to ask the person driving towards you about light scatter. Here on Long Island there are tons of people running HIDs in stock housings, and most of them are blinding to oncoming drivers. I think simply adjusting the headlamp assemblies down isn't the answer. If I were to go HID's I would only use them with projectors.

With all that said I run Sylvania ZXE bulbs in both the headlamps and foglamps, and the light output is no comparison to stock. It's that good that I'm in no rush to go to projectors. I have driven in rural upstate New York where its very dark and they've been great...so good in fact that I don't feel that I'm out-driving the headlights.

[Limited360]

IMHO one would need to ask the person driving towards you about light scatter. Here on Long Island there are tons of people running HIDs in stock housings, and most of them are blinding to oncoming drivers. I think simply adjusting the headlamp assemblies down isn't the answer. If I were to go HID's I would only use them with projectors.

With all that said I run Sylvania ZXE bulbs in both the headlamps and foglamps, and the light output is no comparison to stock. It's that good that I'm in no rush to go to projectors. I have driven in rural upstate New York where its very dark and they've been great...so good in fact that I don't feel that I'm out-driving the headlights.

+1 on this.

Halogen upgrade any day for the headlamps over a drop in... Fogs I give up on cause they inherently scatter light anyways...

[larryo340]

+1 on this.

Halogen upgrade any day for the headlamps over a drop in... Fogs I give up on cause they inherently scatter light anyways...

The fog lights that were available in the 80s were far superior to today's "fog lights" which I feel are more like flood lights. Those used to put out a very wide flat beam of light similar to projectors of today. You never had to worry about blinding anybody, and they gave great useable light output.

[Limited360]

The fog lights that were available in the 80s were far superior to today's "fog lights" which I feel are more like flood lights. Those used to put out a very wide flat beam of light similar to projectors of today. You never had to worry about blinding anybody, and they gave great useable light output.

I agree with you on this as well. I like the projector fog lamps that FORD has gone to on some of its newer products once again. I am in the process of a retrofit behind our OEM lens of a set to see what we can get...

Nothing I hate more than blinding glare!

[slickster]

Ah xentec are garbage. Vvme from eBay are great $45 a kit. If you have the coin protector. Silverstar etc builbs are better then oem but hid has more light but for the price of silverstars etc builbs you can get the vvme kit! 5k ftw

[Limited360]

Ah xentec are garbage. Vvme from eBay are great $45 a kit. If you have the coin protector. Silverstar etc builbs are better then oem but hid has more light but for the price of silverstars etc builbs you can get the vvme kit! 5k ftw

See I have had good luck with XENTEC large Stainless version from a single supplier for many years... the plastic small ones have always been junk.

[larryo340]

I agree with you on this as well. I like the projector fog lamps that FORD has gone to on some of its newer products once again. I am in the process of a retrofit behind our OEM lens of a set to see what we can get...

Nothing I hate more than blinding glare!

That's actually a very good idea, I never thought about retrofitting the newer Ford projector fog lights into our housings. At work we have Fusion, Flex, and Lincoln MKZs all with the projector fog lights....I need to look into doing just that.

[Limited360]

That's actually a very good idea, I never thought about retrofitting the newer Ford projector fog lights into our housings. At work we have Fusion, Flex, and Lincoln MKZs all with the projector fog lights....I need to look into doing just that.

The ones I am trying are from a fusion!

[larryo340]

The ones I am trying are from a fusion!

I'll have to keep a lookout on your progress...

I'm sure you're going to beat me to it :)

[Limited360]

I'll have to keep a lookout on your progress...

I'm sure you're going to beat me to it :)

Been sitting in my basement for 3 months.... Work is crazy... Damn production release deadlines...

[lji372]

Been sitting in my basement for 3 months.... Work is crazy... Damn production release deadlines...

Quit playing with rc cars and rusted out silverados! :P

[Limited360]

Quit playing with rc cars and rusted out silverados! :P



Hey hey...I did fix that drivers speaker today so that we can talk on the bluetooth better today!!

[92BlackGT]

HID's in a stock housing is illegal and you blind oncoming drivers.

[fastblackmerc]

It's illegal to modify the stock headlights... period.

I've had my 6000K HIDs installed for over 5 years, never had anyone flash their lights at me....

Never been pulled over for them either.

My MM passed the N.C. Sate Inspection every year... yes they check the headlights.

"It's only illegal if you get caught"

[Limited360]

It's illegal to modify the stock headlights... period.



I've had my 6000K HIDs installed for over 5 years, never had anyone flash their lights at me....



Never been pulled over form them either.



My MM passed the N.C. Sate Inspection every year... yes they check the headlights.



"It's only illegal if you get caught"


Pictures of lack of glare please....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so I may sound retarded.

[MOTOWN]

HID's in a stock housing is illegal and you blind oncoming drivers.

No you dont blind anyone with correct headlight alignment, ive had them in my car since 05, and have got nothing but compliments! even had a State Trooper order a set for his personal ride.

[Spectragod]

Or, just use one of these behind your grill or in the bumper opening at the bottom....

http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/120312

http://www.rigidindustries.com/sites/default/files/media/120312%20E-Series%2020%20-%20Combo.jpg

[fastblackmerc]

Pictures of lack of glare please....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so I may sound retarded.

Here you go.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0275.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/fastblackmerc/media/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0275.jpg.html)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0277-1.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/fastblackmerc/media/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0277-1.jpg.html)

[Limited360]

Pictures confirm this...

http://sportsautotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pnp-vs-retrofit-cutoff-output1.jpg

[ctrlraven]

Everyone should know now that an HID projector retrofit will give the MM the best lighting output while not blinding on-coming traffic.

It's never been rocket science that a halogen based reflector throws light all over the place.

[MOTOWN]

Fact is not everyone likes the look of the projector light in the oem Marauder headlight housing.

[Limited360]

Fact is not everyone likes the look of the projector light in the oem Marauder headlight housing.

Fact is NO ONE appreciated the output from a drop in HID in a reflector housing designed for a halogen bulb.

Upgrade to Silverstars or the higher line halogens or go all out...

[lji372]

Fact is not everyone likes the look of the projector light in the oem Marauder headlight housing.

It's merely a pissing contest between two guys.
:popcorn:

We all have our opinion. I had hid's, overall didn't like them. I love the projectors, but those come at a Much higher price.

[lji372]

Fact is NO ONE appreciated the output from a drop in HID in a reflector housing designed for a halogen bulb.

Upgrade to Silverstars or the higher line halogens or go all out...

That's one opinion :laugh:

[MOTOWN]

Fact is NO ONE appreciated the output from a drop in HID in a reflector housing designed for a halogen bulb.

Upgrade to Silverstars or the higher line halogens or go all out...

Silverstars ,or any other halogen bulb is no upgrade to an HID! do your homework pro!:bs:

[MOTOWN]

It's merely a pissing contest between two guys.
:popcorn:

We all have our opinion. I had hid's, overall didn't like them. I love the projectors, but those come at a Much higher price.

Yupppppp and i luvs to piss!!!!!!!!:banana2:

[lji372]

Yupppppp and i luvs to piss!!!!!!!!:banana2:

Okay. I meant three guys :bows:

Sounds gay when there's three though

[Limited360]

Silverstars ,or any other halogen bulb is no upgrade to an HID! do your homework pro!:bs:

Um... did I say Silverstars were an upgrade to a HID? No I said upgrade to Silverstars which do not blind like a drop in HID... Think before typing. :flamer:

[MOTOWN]

Okay. I meant three guys :bows:

Sounds gay when there's three though

ERRRRRR yeah count me out! LMAO!

[Limited360]

ERRRRRR yeah count me out! LMAO!

Not in for a rub and tug with a reach around? Awe come on...

[MOTOWN]

Um... did I say Silverstars were an upgrade to a HID? No I said upgrade to Silverstars which do not blind like a drop in HID... Think before typing. :flamer:

Funny ive had my HIDs since 05 , and i have never been signaled that they were to bright! even had a friend drive at night so i could judge for myself, they are brighter than stock halogens, but not blinding, what ever type lighting you use has to properly adjusted.

[MOTOWN]

Not in for a rub and tug with a reach around? Awe come on...

Not unless Hale Barry is doing the reacharound!:coolman:

[lji372]

Funny ive had my HIDs since 05 , and i have never been signaled that they were to bright! even had a friend drive at night so i could judge for myself, they are brighter than stock halogens, but not blinding, what ever type lighting you use has to properly adjusted.

Driving that beast to michigan so I can see your hid's?

[Limited360]

Funny ive had my HIDs since 05 , and i have never been signaled that they were to bright! even had a friend drive at night so i could judge for myself, they are brighter than stock halogens, but not blinding, what ever type lighting you use has to properly adjusted.



this has nothing to do with adjustment....

Pull up to a wall and take a photo... does it look like this? If it has light above the clean line... its called glare. Its annoying and we don't like it... I flash my highs at people that have drop in HID's when they are obnoxious... You wouldn't like the Silverado doing that... Bi-Xenon projectors and regular Halogen high beams... = WINNING

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1497965_10151780996001784_1812 33511_o.jpg
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/1485965_10151837244291784_2030 263487_o.jpg


high beams
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1518844_10151780996166784_4410 07704_o.jpg

[MOTOWN]

I will admit i like the look of your projector conversion, but i really like the oem Marauder head light, maybe i need to see a set in person.

[lji372]

Not unless Hale Barry is doing the reacharound!:coolman:

You're really going to make him change his name ;)

[MOTOWN]

this has nothing to do with adjustment....

Pull up to a wall and take a photo... does it look like this? If it has light above the clean line... its called glare. Its annoying and we don't like it... I flash my highs at people that have drop in HID's when they are obnoxious... You wouldn't like the Silverado doing that... Bi-Xenon projectors and regular Halogen high beams... = WINNING

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1497965_10151780996001784_1812 33511_o.jpg
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/1485965_10151837244291784_2030 263487_o.jpg


high beams
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1518844_10151780996166784_4410 07704_o.jpg

Says you! and i know exactly what your talking about with the glare, which i dont have, if i did they wouldnt be in my car, and of course i disagree with you on the adjustment:rolleyes:

[MOTOWN]

Driving that beast to michigan so I can see your hid's?

Been thinking about it, but im going to install my Meth kit first, ill will be in town for the Dream cruise.

[lji372]

Been thinking about it, but im going to install my Meth kit first, ill will be in town for the Dream cruise.

:woohoo: Motown in Motown!!! Buy your tickets now folks:banana2:

[MOTOWN]

:woohoo: Motown in Motown!!! Buy your tickets now folks:banana2:

LOL im in town more than you think! my LIL mama is still there, and she gets very cranky if we dont have Daddy daughter time as she calls it! lol

[Limited360]

Been thinking about it, but im going to install my Meth kit first, ill will be in town for the Dream cruise.

+1 on dream cruise.... look forward to seeing your beast of car!

Maybe Jerry will have is black car back in action... I am sure he will reserve 3 spots for himself...

[lji372]

LOL im in town more than you think! my LIL mama is still there, and she gets very cranky if we dont have Daddy daughter time as she calls it! lol

Thought that I was dreaming the other night and **** the bed when I woke up. Next time leave a note!!

[MOTOWN]

+1 on dream cruise.... look forward to seeing your beast of car!

Maybe Jerry will have is black car back in action... I am sure he will reserve 3 spots for himself...

If my HIDs dont pass your test ill bow down to you , and buy a set of your Projectors , and post an "I WAS WRONG" thread! lol

Oh did i just say that?:depress:

[MOTOWN]

Thought that I was dreaming the other night and **** the bed when I woke up. Next time leave a note!!

I always plan to surprise visit, but time is never at a premium!

[lji372]

Any pics of that dipstick installed

[MOTOWN]

Any pics of that dipstick installed

Im going to take some detailed picks of the car if it ever stops raining, totally forgot about it! it looks kick azz though.


Now do a Lookar oil dipstick pull!

[Limited360]

Im going to take some detailed picks of the car if it ever stops raining, totally forgot about it! it looks kick azz though.


Now do a Lookar oil dipstick pull!

the trans dip stick was rather awesome... jealous indeed!

[Limited360]

If my HIDs dont pass your test ill bow down to you , and buy a set of your Projectors , and post an "I WAS WRONG" thread! lol

Oh did i just say that?:depress:

Compare to Jerry's black car... his 4300k blow away my 6000k.... I am almost tempted to change to 4300k.

[MOTOWN]

the trans dip stick was rather awesome... jealous indeed!

Yeah Jerry outdid himself on that one, very pleased with it!