Dull yellow headlights

sparky260500

Joe_Horner wrote: »

If you're in NI then they must have washers and auto levelling fitted, and will fail an MOT if they don't.

If you're in the rest of the UK then they must have washers and auto levelling fitted, but won't fail an MOT if they don't. They will fail if washers / levelling are fitted but not working.

The reason is that HID lighting didn't exist when the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 were written so, under UK law, they're not legal at all because they're not an approved lighting type.

But we also have to accept cars with European Type Approval equipment, under which HID lighting is legal if it's fitted in accordance with its type approval. Part of the type approval for HID lights is that washers and auto levelling are fitted. They must also be fitted to light units specifically designed for HID burners rather than halogen bulbs to maintain type appr1oval of both the bulb and the light unit.

If you're curious about why washers, levelling and correct lamp units are required, there's a good in-depth article here:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

which covers why burners don't work as they should in halogen units, and includes links to American DOT research which shows just how bad the light coverage of cheap "conversions" can be. You think you can see cos they're bright, but you really can't, and you'll dazzle the crepe out of anyone coming towards you!

sorry don't understand must have it fitted but won't fail a MOT.
so you must still have to have them fitted who polices it if it will pass MOT

sparky260500

will these be any good i would like to know what you guys think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H7-XENON-SUPER-WHITE-55W-BULBS-DIPPED-BEAM-12V-HEADLIGHT-HEADLAMP-HID-Ford-/281350432549?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AGalaxy%7CCars+Year%3A2014&hash=item4181cae725

bryanb

Joe_Horner wrote: »

If you're in NI then they must have washers and auto levelling fitted, and will fail an MOT if they don't.

If you're in the rest of the UK then they must have washers and auto levelling fitted, but won't fail an MOT if they don't. They will fail if washers / levelling are fitted but not working.

The reason is that HID lighting didn't exist when the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 were written so, under UK law, they're not legal at all because they're not an approved lighting type.

But we also have to accept cars with European Type Approval equipment, under which HID lighting is legal if it's fitted in accordance with its type approval. Part of the type approval for HID lights is that washers and auto levelling are fitted. They must also be fitted to light units specifically designed for HID burners rather than halogen bulbs to maintain type appr1oval of both the bulb and the light unit.

If you're curious about why washers, levelling and correct lamp units are required, there's a good in-depth article here:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

which covers why burners don't work as they should in halogen units, and includes links to American DOT research which shows just how bad the light coverage of cheap "conversions" can be. You think you can see cos they're bright, but you really can't, and you'll dazzle the crepe out of anyone coming towards you![/QUOTE}

You got the most important word in this post wrong!

StrongWork

sparky260500 wrote: »

Hi all ive just bought a new car and have noticed that the headlights are very poor.they don't seem very bright on full beam and a horrible yellow glow to the headlights. I might of been spoilt because my last car had hid xenon headlight really bright and really a crisp white light. Does anyone no if there are any replacement bulbs that are the same as the hid but can be fitted? Also can you use led lamps in headlights?

Is your objective improved light output or getting rid of the yellowness?

I'd be looking at either Osram Nightbreakers or Philips X-Treme Vision.

OP out of interest, what kind of car?

mcpitman

What car is it?

I have had HID's fitted for approx 4 years, without self levelling or washers.

HID's are good if you have projector style lenses, you will need specific bulbs for reflector lenses to avoid glare and dazzling.

Xenon/AFL retrofits are not straightforward on certain makes of cars (for example vauxhall's).

Alternatively as mentioned some other after market bulbs can do the trick (Nightbreakers or X-treme vision as above).

sparky260500

Hi its a ford galaxy.ive tried the phillips!X-treme vision and not very happy with them still very yellow and not much improvement in light output I am sending them back.

Slowly_does_it..

Are your lights yellower than other ford galaxys / focuses?

sparky260500

Slowly_does_it.. wrote: »

Are your lights yellower than other ford galaxys / focuses?

No they are not

mcpitman

sparky260500 wrote: »

No they are not

Hello, have you tried these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTEC-H7-12v-55w-Cosmos-Blue-HID-Xenon-Effect-Headlight-Bulbs-/271132997065?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f20c935c9

Not sure if these are the right fitment for yours, but have heard recent positive reports that these are "whiter" than Nightbreakers etc.

StrongWork

sparky260500 wrote: »

Hi its a ford galaxy.ive tried the phillips!X-treme vision and not very happy with them still very yellow and not much improvement in light output I am sending them back.

If you are used to factory OEM HIDs then you are going to be disappointed by regular halogens imo.

There are 'Xenon effect' bulbs out there with whiter light (I think Philips do a Blue Vision Ultra) but the output won't be as good as the X-Tremes.

FWIW, OEM HIDs are typically 4300K. Stray above 6000K and you start getting into blue territory and proper light output drops off notably.

As asked earlier - what's more important to you - the light output or the colour of the light?