Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is Xenon HID lighting?
2. What are the key advantages of Xenon HID lighting systems?
3. Why were Xenon HID lights developed?
4. Can I change my headlights to Xenon HID units?
5. Can I install Xenon HID lights for high as well as low beam?
6. What does the Xenon HID conversion kit include?
7. Why are Xenon HID lights so much more expensive than halogen lights?
8. What are Lumens (Lm)?
9. What is Kelvin (K)?
10. What is Colour Temperature?
11. Are Xenon HID Lights legal?
12. What would cause my lamp to turn on and off?
13. Can any 35w lamp be used with any ballast rated for that wattage?
14. How do I tell if a Ballast unit has failed?
15. My headlamps flicker a short while after turning them on
16. I have a blown bulb warning since installing LED sidelights
17. My new LED bulbs don't work

1. What is Xenon HID lighting?

High Intensity Discharge (HID) is a new type of lighting technology that is fundamentally different to conventional halogen bulbs that depend on a heated tungsten filament. Unlike halogen lamps, Xenon HID lamps create light by an arc between two electrodes. The light produced by Xenon HID lighting systems is of a much greater intensity than halogen bulbs and is produced with much less power consumption. When driving, Xenon HID lights appear as a bright white light which closely resembles sunlight. This white light offers greater visibility and road safety.

In Xenon HID lighting systems, the voltage between the two electrodes initially rises to 24Kv, starting the lighting process then rapidly reduces to 8Kv for continuous operation. This control is performed by the ballast units. At this high voltage, the xenon gas ionises and a super bright light is produced inside the bulb. Xenon HID lighting is more economic, stable and brighter than conventional halogen lighting.

2. What are the key advantages of Xenon HID lighting systems?

. SAVES LIVES
Better lighting leads to earlier recognition of objects, pedestrians, cyclists, road workers etc. Earlier recognition of road signs and road markings is an important factor in accident prevention. Additionally, Xenon HID lights also make it easier to be seen by other road traffic. Better lighting delivers an active contribution to road safety and driver comfort and can save lives.

. LOW POWER CONSUMPTION
Xenon HID bulbs consume only half the power (wattage) of conventional halogen lights, 35w as opposed to 65w. As the alternator has less load on it, the cars fuel consumption will be improved and the car will produce less emissions.

. THREE TIMES BRIGHTER
Xenon HID lights produce 300% more luminosity than conventional halogen lights. The clear white light produced by a Xenon HID bulb is similar to daylight. Moreover, this light colour reflects road markings and signs better than conventional lighting. This means the driver can see more clearly during night time driving, causing less fatigue.

. EXTREMELY LONG LIFE
Unlike standard halogen bulbs whose life is measured in hundreds of hours, Xenon HID bulbs life is approximately 3000 hours. In practical terms, the life of the bulb is equal to that of the car, meaning that bulbs need replacing only in exceptional cases.

3. Why were Xenon HID lights developed?

Primarily, for better road safety. In the past decade, manufacturers have made cars safer and more comfortable by the introduction of A.B.S. braking systems, airbags, air conditioning etc. Statistically, more than 60% of all road traffic accidents take place in poorly lit conditions. Xenon HID lighting systems greatly contribute to road safety.

4. Can I change my headlights to Xenon HID units?

Yes, Installation is fast and easy, most DIY mechanics can install a system in about two hours. Everything you need is included in the kit, only basic hand tools and a drill are required. Our instructions are designed to be clear and easy to follow. For low beam applications, replacement of the existing halogen bulbs is necessary. It is NOT recommended to use Xenon HID lights for high beam usage unless they are of the 'flex' variety.

5. Can I install Xenon HID lights for high as well as low beam?

Yes, if your vehicle is equipped with a joint high/low beam bulb such as an H4 unit. You will require a 'Flex' bulb kit. This type of bulb has a moving bulb that rapidly changes the focal positioning of the light source between low and high beam. Because the light source is already producing maximum illumination no delay is caused. If your car is designed to use low beam and high beam at the same time these bulbs may be unsuitable. This is because the light output can be either high beam OR low beam, not both.

If your vehicle is installed with separate bulbs for high and low beam, no. All Xenon HID lights require about five seconds to produce useable light. Maximum light output is produced within 10 seconds. This delay would prove unacceptable when rapid light switching is required during night time driving.


6. What does the Xenon HID conversion kit include?

We will supply you with all the necessary components and hardware to install this system onto your vehicle. Each kit includes: 2 pre-wired Xenon HID bulbs, 2 ballast units (High Voltage transformer / igniter unit), fixing brackets, all necessary wiring and easy to follow instructions with a wiring diagram.

7. Why are Xenon HID lights so much more expensive than halogen lights?

Installing Xenon HID lighting is not simply a question of changing the bulbs, but installing a whole new system comprising of:

. A complex Xenon HID bulb manufactured to extremely high standards of precision
. A High-Tech ballast unit specially designed to run a Xenon HID bulb

The price is governed by these components. Generally, the price of the HID ballast unit (which is NOT required for conventional lighting) accounts for 2/3rd of the price of a Xenon HID conversion kit.

8. What are Lumens (Lm)?

The international (SI) unit of luminous flux (brightness). For example, a candle typically produces about 12 Lumens whilst a domestic 60 Watt incandescent light bulb produces 830 Lumens. The higher the number, the brighter the light.

9. What is Kelvin (K)?

Kelvin is the unit of Thermodynamic Temperature (colour temperature) used to measure the whiteness of light output. The higher the K number, the whiter the light. With numbers over 5-6000K, the light starts to shift towards the blue end of the spectrum.


10. What is Colour Temperature?

Colour Temperature is a measurement (in degrees Kelvin) that indicates the hue of the light source. There is a commonly held belief that the colour temperature is an indication of the brightness of a Xenon HID kit. This is not the case. Due to the way the human eye perceives light, the higher the colour temperature the less useable light will be obtained. A good example is Ultra Violet light (sometimes referred to as Black or UV light). This light has a colour temperature of about 12,000K and has almost no useable light output. The ideal colour temperature for Xenon HID lights is 6000K, although for cosmetic purposes, some people may prefer to use bulbs with colour temperatures of up to 9000K.

3000 K 4000K5000K 6000K 8000K 9000K


11. Are Xenon HID Lights legal?

To be within the letter of the law, your car should be fitted with headlamp levellers (self levelling suspension is also acceptable) and headlamp washers. Earlier headlamp types are not suitable for conversion as the reflector and lens design cannot adequately control the light pattern, often dazzling oncoming traffic. Headlamps that are marked ECE98 are the most suitable for conversion. These generally have 'projector' style lights fitted (sometimes referred to as 'ellipsoid' lights). The MoT test is shortly changing to take into account the testing of HID headlamps, specifically that a levelling system and headlamp cleaning system is installed. For more detailed information please visit the DfT website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety

12. What would cause my lamp to turn on and off?

This is usually an indication that the lamp has reached the end of its useful life. Replacing the bulb with a similar one or one compatible with the installed ballast will usually resolve the problem. A similar problem can be observed when roadside sodium streetlights start to fail.

13. Can any 35w lamp be used with any ballast rated for that wattage?

Generally, no. Most lamps are designed to work with specific ballasts. Compatible lamps are usually listed on the ballast label or in the technical literature supplied with the ballast. Using a lamp not specified may affect lamp life, ballast life or both. Xenon HID lamps have specific operating characteristics. The ballasts are normally designed to operate bulbs with those characteristics.

14. How do I tell if a Ballast unit has failed?

First, check the condition of the wiring, paying particular attention to the HV cabling to the bulb. Next, replace the lamp with a known good lamp that is compatible with the ballast. If this doesn't correct the problem, with the lights on, measure the supply voltage to the ballast. This is usually fed from the lighting circuit via a fuse. If the supply voltage is present a replacement ballast will be required. Do not operate the ballast with the bulb disconnected or with damaged bulb wiring.

15. My headlamps flicker a short while after turning them on

The problem is caused by the On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD) fitted to a lot of modern cars. This problem can also manifest itself as a 'blown bulb' warning on the instrument cluster. There are many so called remedies on the market however, the only solution guaranteed to work is fitting an 'Auxillary Power Feed' unit (CXA01). This device draws power directly from the battery to run the headlamps whilst also fooling the cars OBD system into thinking that it has a standard 55 watt halogen bulb connected.

16. I have a blown bulb warning since installing LED sidelights

The cause of this problem is similar to the previous FAQ. The OBD systems of many modern cars now also monitor the sidelight circuit. We can supply a special shunt unit that is connected to the cars wiring that will eliminate this problem.

17. My new LED bulbs don't work

LED bulbs are polarity sensitive and must be connected the right way around. If you've connected them incorrectly, no damage will occur, just rotate the bulb through 180 degrees in its holder and they should then work.