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Lee H
02-11-08, 11:19 PM
My Nova lights are awful so just been browsing the bay and there are so many kits available, anyone got any recommendations which one to buy?

I know I want 6000k H4's but want them to work like normal lights, does that mean I need hi lo kit or something like that so I can have normal and main beam or am I missing the point completely?

Benn
02-11-08, 11:25 PM
You'll want a high/low kit so you get main and dipped beam.
Make sure you get everything too, some of them dont sell the whole kit.

Welsh Dan
02-11-08, 11:48 PM
Get the Bi-Xenon ones from diane-shop on ebay.

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107202

Benn
02-11-08, 11:56 PM
Theres no links there to the "diane shop" on there.

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 12:00 AM
No, but there is some discussion.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BI-XENON-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-H4-6000K-HI-LO-DUAL-BEAMS_W0QQitemZ350109558372QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m350109558372&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

Jack
03-11-08, 12:12 AM
I wouldn't recommend diane-shop HIDs tbh, my "6000k" ones are too blue and take a while to heat up.

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 12:15 AM
Mine were white and warmed up in around 2 seconds to be usable and around another 5-10 seconds to be at their max.

Benn
03-11-08, 12:21 AM
I wouldn't recommend diane-shop HIDs tbh, my "6000k" ones are too blue and take a while to heat up.

lol you wanna see my 8k.. really nice whiteey blue.

Jack
03-11-08, 12:23 AM
Halogens on left, HIDs on right (both 6000K - diane-shop on the inner lamps)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/CCUK/2008_03030072.jpg

Dipped beam:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/CCUK/2008_03030066.jpg

Main beam:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/CCUK/2008_03030074.jpg

You can see the colour difference...

Benn
03-11-08, 12:23 AM
No, but there is some discussion.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BI-XENON-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-H4-6000K-HI-LO-DUAL-BEAMS_W0QQitemZ350109558372QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m350109558372&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

That kit doesnt have the relay, or wiring to the fuse and battrey tho...
Or if it does i cant see it in the box in the pic...

Benn
03-11-08, 12:24 AM
Jack you get a good beam patton there...

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 12:26 AM
Ignore the pics on diane-shop Benn, they don't even show H4 bulbs on the H4 kits. I'm debating a H7 Kit for the mondeo, and I'd be happy to buy from them again.

Jack
03-11-08, 12:27 AM
Yeah, thats why I took those pics and have kept with the HIDs on the Celica, as the beam pattern is pretty much the same as the standard halogens (note the high beam doesn't look as strong though...). I'd be interested to see similar pics when they're fitted to a nova.

I considered HIDs on the nova, but the cibie lamps are absolutely awful, even with halogens the light pattern is horrendous. I've got some BMW E30 lamps to go in though, so hopefully they will be better...


That kit doesnt have the relay, or wiring to the fuse and battrey tho...
Or if it does i cant see it in the box in the pic...
Thats the other thing, diane-shop ones don't come with a battery harness. I wasn't too bothered on the Celica as the wiring loom is pretty meaty anyway. In fact, that may explain why my dipped beam (with harness) turn on and warm up faster, and are "brighter" than my main beams (without harness)...

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 02:32 AM
Mine(Adams now) came with the full harness from Diane-shop.

Jay
03-11-08, 09:19 AM
Lee h i would also be interested in a Hid kit, so let me know which one you buy and ill prob get the same.

Jay.

Graeme
03-11-08, 09:33 AM
Its a whole world of confusion to me also, I know 6k is the right colour and after reading this thread I am slightly more confused

Jack
03-11-08, 11:15 AM
Why confused?


Mine(Adams now) came with the full harness from Diane-shop.
The seperate battery power feed? Hmm, interesting. Might try another of their kits in the future then.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 11:39 AM
how about this item. been looking at HID kits for my Nova, although I have no complaints about the standard headlamps as they work really well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Good price but postage is a bit of a wallet bashing fest.

Not a expert on HID but the box seems to have everything from what I can see

hendrix
03-11-08, 11:48 AM
looks good ;)
Is that everything thats needed?

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 11:55 AM
Not 100% sure as this will be the first time Im buying a set. Im sure one of the HID guru's above will be able to tell :D

Jack
03-11-08, 12:03 PM
although I have no complaints about the standard headlamps as they work really well.
I thought hat before getting HIDs lol

Postage is where they make their money btw, although most kits come from abroad.

Can't see ebay at work so can't advise on that kit, but the parts you need are:

> Burner (HID bulb)
> Cables from burner to ballast (connected to the burner)
> Ballast
> Cables from ballast to existing headlamp loom (usually connected to the ballast)
> Mounting bracket for ballasts
> Assorted fixing screws for the brackets.

Some also come with another small loom (and relay) which connects the ballasts directly to the battery, instead of pulling power from the standard headlamp loom. Most, if not all, kits are designed to be plug and play, i.e. they just plug right into your existing headlamp connectors. You may have to connect the odd earth for the ballast but thats not hard.


[edit] Be advised though, retro fitting HIDs into standard Nova headlamps is NOT legal.

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 12:06 PM
Why confused?


The seperate battery power feed? Hmm, interesting. Might try another of their kits in the future then.

Yep. 2 Ring terminals from the relay box that went to the battery, one live, one ground. Each ballast had its own ground lead and ring terminal, and there was a plug that plugged into the OEM headlight connector so it knew when to switch on/main.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 12:11 PM
I thought hat before getting HIDs lol

Most probably same here mate but still gotta give the headlamps nuff respeck yo lol

According to the item its all plug and play from what I can see in the pic it has: bulbs, slim ballast, cable from bulb to ballast, cable from ballast to loom.

I can deffo see them items, the bracket and fixing screws I cant see.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 12:12 PM
[edit] Be advised though, retro fitting HIDs into standard Nova headlamps is NOT legal.

Really? Why?

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 12:17 PM
Really? Why?

Because the Department of Transport put a blanket ban on them because the HID bulbs don't give the right beam pattern in all halogen headlamps.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 12:24 PM
I see... but doesnt the patterned headlamp glass on the Nova aid in the light pattern?

Jack
03-11-08, 12:27 PM
^ Yep, and they supposedly need three things:

1. Headlamp washers
2. Headlamp auto-levellers (note word auto, not manual such as is fitted to Mk2s)
3. Type approval of the lamp and burner as a complete unit.

There's a DOT pdf flying around out there somewhere that states the reasoning and why (if you ask me, the reasoning is a bit daft - see my pics above which pretty much blow the beam pattern argument out the water) but still, if Big Brother says we're fighting Eurasia, then we're fighting Eurasia.


[edit] Having said that, I've run HIDs with no problems for a year or so now. However, I ensured mine were levelled properly and would probably have not used them if the light pattern was all over the shop. I've never been flashed in the Celica, where as I have in the Nova (with halogens) because the headlamp aim is way off.

Jack
03-11-08, 12:28 PM
I see... but doesnt the patterned headlamp glass on the Nova aid in the light pattern?
No, because the HID burner outputs light in a different way to a halogen element (HIDs use an arc rather than a filament).

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 12:33 PM
Ok gotcha, in which case I shall ask this question:

Anyone got pics of HID light pattern in a Nova? :p

Welsh Dan
03-11-08, 01:55 PM
I used them for around 9 months in mine, never got flashed or stopped.

Benn
03-11-08, 09:33 PM
how about this item. been looking at HID kits for my Nova, although I have no complaints about the standard headlamps as they work really well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Good price but postage is a bit of a wallet bashing fest.

Not a expert on HID but the box seems to have everything from what I can see


That kit looks like it has everything, but i would ask. But its a £39.99 postage....




Yep. 2 Ring terminals from the relay box that went to the battery, one live, one ground. Each ballast had its own ground lead and ring terminal, and there was a plug that plugged into the OEM headlight connector so it knew when to switch on/main.

See my kit has one power lead from the relay to the battrey.
Then the relay spilts the power from there.

Sturge
03-11-08, 09:54 PM
Good quality 100W H4's ftw

Jack
03-11-08, 10:23 PM
I've had 130/120W PIAA Xtreme Force in the Nova, and 115W/120W Xtreme White PLus, as well as some Spark Blues in the Celica. None have been a patch on HIDs


That kit looks like it has everything, but i would ask. But its a £39.99 postage....
Thats how they make their money, whilst still making the kit appear to be the cheapest on ebay.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 10:28 PM
That kit looks like it has everything, but i would ask. But its a £39.99 postage....

Yeh I know but in saying that, previously the item was more expensive and postage cheaper so I think they have done it to get people to view the item as its now the cheapest technically.

Still I could always go and pick it up and get it for £10 less :D

Looks like a decent bit of kit, very interested and it is my B'day tomorrow :)

Bit of emotional psychology to my bro should do the trick lol

Benn
03-11-08, 10:31 PM
One thing to be carefull of is alot of that sites kits are upgrade kits, meaning they wont have the battery harness and bit.

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 10:33 PM
One thing to be carefull of is alot of that sites kits are upgrade kits, meaning they wont have the battery harness and bit.

please elaborate on the battery harness :)

Sturge
03-11-08, 10:53 PM
I've had 130/120W PIAA Xtreme Force in the Nova, and 115W/120W Xtreme White PLus, as well as some Spark Blues in the Celica. None have been a patch on HIDs


Thats how they make their money, whilst still making the kit appear to be the cheapest on ebay.


But a lot less hassle and no worries with beam pattern or switching to full beam.

Mainly preferred because I'm lazy :D

Adam
03-11-08, 11:01 PM
please elaborate on the battery harness :)
Basically a mini loom, with just a couple of connectors to go to ground/batt etc.
The wiring on the kids with a batt harness is mega easy, takes about 20secs do the wiring.
When i fitted mine the most time consuming bit was finding a good place to hide the ballast units lol

Oh and btw, if people think halogens are good, they've never seen Hid's ;)
Its literally night and day comparing them.
Its not just about how much more of the road they light up either, road signs/cats eyes etc all reflect much brighter(because the hids are outputting more light to reflect back at you.....)

Lee-Just get a hi/lo h4 kit, most are pretty much identical on ebay

Mine fitted:
http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=962276&postcount=884

Nova_Tek
03-11-08, 11:24 PM
Cheers Adam.

If they dont come with the batt harness then I take it it needs to be wired in manually.

They look good the 6000k. Think I will go for that colour temp they emit more light then the 8k + colour temps anyway.

Its very dark on most roads where the car will be used so its all good

Jack
04-11-08, 01:07 AM
Pics of light pattern pls :p


If they dont come with the batt harness then I take it it needs to be wired in manually.
The battery harness isn't required, but its recommended, especially on a 20 year old Nova.

Sturge, a H4 bi-xenon will have no switching-to-main-beam warm up delay issues. I don't have a problem with my main beams taking a while to warm up either as I can quite happily drive on dipped and see where I'm going, although thats in the Celica.

-Luke-
04-11-08, 09:11 AM
Razorjack, did you get distortion on your radio when you switch the xenon on, cause i have xenon light on my nova any when I turn them on a distortion sound is heard on the radio. Most people I talk to said they generate a frequency which is interfering with the radio frequency. Two things that they suggested is on doing a "suppressor" before the aerial of the radio of move the aerial on the back of the car. Any suggestions?

Benn
04-11-08, 09:16 AM
Never had that with my kit luke.

-Luke-
04-11-08, 09:22 AM
Don't know what to do but immediately when I turn them on I hear distortion on the radio and I like to fine a solution.

Jack
04-11-08, 09:36 AM
Nope, no distortion here, but I don't listen to the radio much (CDs mostly). Having said that, the aerial for the Celica is in the rear of the car, so further away from the HID ballasts. The battery is also at the front of the engine bay, so all wiring is contained at the front of the car and away from the audio cabling.

I can physically hear them whining when turned on though if I stand by the headlamps, open the bonnet and listen carefully, so I would guess they do give off some form of electromagnetic field.

In fact, thinking about it, I'm 99% certain my english instructions (from the decent kit lol) give a warning about interference and say you should not put the ballasts anywhere near other electrical circuits, especially the ECU... The chinglish instructions just say put them anywhere lol

Nova_Tek
04-11-08, 12:51 PM
Pics of light pattern pls :p

Same here please :)


The battery harness isn't required, but its recommended, especially on a 20 year old Nova.

Ok will ask the guy if it comes with one, hopefully it will seeing as its plug and play no need to cut wire in description.

:thumb:

Welsh Dan
04-11-08, 02:20 PM
Nope, no distortion here, but I don't listen to the radio much (CDs mostly). Having said that, the aerial for the Celica is in the rear of the car, so further away from the HID ballasts. The battery is also at the front of the engine bay, so all wiring is contained at the front of the car and away from the audio cabling.

I can physically hear them whining when turned on though if I stand by the headlamps, open the bonnet and listen carefully, so I would guess they do give off some form of electromagnetic field.

In fact, thinking about it, I'm 99% certain my english instructions (from the decent kit lol) give a warning about interference and say you should not put the ballasts anywhere near other electrical circuits, especially the ECU... The chinglish instructions just say put them anywhere lol

Mine used to set the alarm off, so I switched the alarm off completely lol.

Adam
04-11-08, 08:00 PM
Pics of light pattern pls :p


Where do you want pics/of what? The car parked up with the lights shining on a wall or similar????


No idea about distortion with the radio on mine, but i have no radio aerial anyway lol lol lol

Jack
04-11-08, 08:14 PM
Where do you want pics/of what? The car parked up with the lights shining on a wall or similar????
Yep, thats what I did with mine.

Ideally with a halogen on the opposite side to compare.

Adam
04-11-08, 08:17 PM
Will see what i can do

Benn
04-11-08, 09:17 PM
Against a wall of something would be good, to see where the patton gos...

Jay
04-11-08, 09:23 PM
Against a wall of something would be good, to see where the patton gos...

Benn have you got Hid's?

Jay.

Benn
04-11-08, 09:38 PM
I do. Had them over ayear and love them.
I have the prob that the relay stoped working so i have no main beam.
The patton will pass an mot (set them up on a mot light machine) but they do shine out a bit..

Nova_Tek
04-11-08, 10:10 PM
The patton will pass an mot (set them up on a mot light machine) but they do shine out a bit..

Thought that was normal on them seeing as they have a wider beam then ordinary halogens IIRC. See them in some cars as they come from opposite the light goes very wide.

Sorry Benn seem to be bothering you in both HID threads :p

Benn
04-11-08, 10:19 PM
They dont so much have a wider beam, but its the fact that hids bulbs make the patton.(new cars headlamps are totaly clear) But nova headlamps make the patton.. so they play off each other and give a dodgy patton.

*Dave*
06-11-08, 01:59 AM
so is this a kit to go for as i want HiD's asap lol

Originally Posted by Nova_Tek
how about this item. been looking at HID kits for my Nova, although I have no complaints about the standard headlamps as they work really well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2% 7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

Good price but postage is a bit of a wallet bashing fest.

Not a expert on HID but the box seems to have everything from what I can see

Jack
06-11-08, 10:47 AM
so is this a kit to go for as i want HiD's asap lol
No offence, but buy it and find out?!

TBH most of the kits on ebay are all the same, so just buy the cheapest if thats what you're after.

No pics of beam pattern yet?

Nova_Tek
06-11-08, 12:41 PM
so is this a kit to go for as i want HiD's asap lol

This will most probably be the kit I go for mate, once I ask the guy a few questions. Main reason is coz its the cheapest kit from the UK so will get it much quicker.



No offence, but buy it and find out?!

TBH most of the kits on ebay are all the same, so just buy the cheapest if thats what you're after.

No pics of beam pattern yet?

Agree with RJ, best way to find out is to buy them as I doubt that all the kits on eBay have been tried out.

If you do go for them sri dave, then be sure to give us a quick thread with pics :thumb:

*Dave*
06-11-08, 06:59 PM
will do :)

Adam
06-11-08, 07:09 PM
No pics of beam pattern yet?
Nope

Fit yours and then find out :p

Jack
06-11-08, 07:46 PM
Mine aren't in Nova headlamps :p

I'm curious in case I decide to return to std Nova lamps and wish to fit HIDs, as with them on both cars I'll be used to them.

Although now I've seen the beam pattern on the E30 lamps, I think even HIDs would look comparitively poo through Nova glass lol

Benn
06-11-08, 08:42 PM
so is this a kit to go for as i want HiD's asap lol

Originally Posted by Nova_Tek
how about this item. been looking at HID kits for my Nova, although I have no complaints about the standard headlamps as they work really well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2% 7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H4-6000K-Genuine-Bi-Xenon-Hid-Conversion-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ230305261176QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30305261176&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

Good price but postage is a bit of a wallet bashing fest.

Not a expert on HID but the box seems to have everything from what I can see

No see my reply. That kit is an upgrade kit, theres no battrey harness in the box from the look. Or swtiching relay.

Jack
06-11-08, 11:02 PM
Not many ebay kits seem to come with battery harnesses, Benn. I was looking for one earlier and couldn't see any...

Benn
06-11-08, 11:24 PM
Yeah i've been noticing that. I need that as i need the relay..

Nova_Tek
06-11-08, 11:43 PM
What does the relay do? Is it essential, or just like the battery harness, an advantage to have?

Welsh Dan
06-11-08, 11:45 PM
The relay switches the battery feed on to the ballasts, and keeps it on without interruption when you switch main beam on, and switches power on to the solenoids when you put main beam on. It also keeps the ballasts on for about 2 seconds after you turn the lights off.

Nova_Tek
06-11-08, 11:47 PM
So its important then lol

Looks like I got a few questions for this eBayer.

Thanks

Benn
07-11-08, 09:25 AM
Yeah its a bit of a must have...lol

Jack
07-11-08, 09:30 AM
So the relay is just a H4 thing?

My 9006/9005 burners don't come with them (the set with the battery harness does, but thats just to activate the power supply)

Nova_Tek
07-11-08, 12:35 PM
Could it be the images used in the eBay listings are just for illustration purposes?

I've been checking out another item from another seller from the states and they have an H4 kit (doesnt say if its Bi-Xenon or not) All you get in this conversion kit is ballast, bulbs and instructions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-Conversion-Xenon-Kit-Ultra-Slim-Ballast-H4-6000k_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el12 62QQcategoryZ36476QQihZ021QQitemZ310083893584QQtcZ photo

Maybe its an H4 thing as they are hi and lo contained in one, thats the only thing I can think of.

Benn
07-11-08, 08:47 PM
So the relay is just a H4 thing?

My 9006/9005 burners don't come with them (the set with the battery harness does, but thats just to activate the power supply)

Oh doesnt it? All the kits i've seen have them, inc a mates gt4..

Jack
07-11-08, 09:31 PM
Hmm, pretty certain mine doesn't... or are we talking part of the standard car headlamp loom?

Benn
07-11-08, 09:34 PM
No its part of the hid kit, battrey lead comes off it, then the wires from it go to the ballasts...

Bottom left in the box,
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/bennh2/HID%20fitting/IMG_2771.jpg

Jack
07-11-08, 09:53 PM
Ahhh, gotcha. Ok, the dipped beam has a relay on it which came with the battery harness, but the main beam doesn't (no battery harness) - that just plugged straight in.

Benn
07-11-08, 10:55 PM
Ah ok, didnt know it was just dipp, which is odd as my main beam dont work...
How does it know whats whats? Can it tell from where it plugs in the the car headlight loom?

Jack
07-11-08, 11:21 PM
I guess so....

To be fair, the celica is pretty straight forward, as the main beam and dipped beam are two separate lamps, two separate looms (at the "plug in" point), and two separate sets of bulbs. None of this H4 and solenoid to change the beam pattern shizzle lol

Benn
07-11-08, 11:23 PM
Yeah bit easier. But needs and must and all..lol