View Full Version : HID users
2 questions for those with HIDs in Nova lamps.
1 - how long have you had them, what type (bi-xenon with the filament high beam, or the ones with the rotating shield), and how well have they lasted?
2 - can you post pics of the beam pattern, preferably from Mk2 lamps (i.e. the light pattern on a wall or garage door from about 2-3 metres away)
thank'ee :D
p.s. I'm well aware they're not strictly legal but I don't care, standard nova lamps are rubbish :p
stupot89
16-04-09, 01:28 PM
yes mate most kits are legal if you buy from a reputable motor factors plus on the box for the kit it should say weather or not they are legal for road use:thumb: :thumb:
Pardon? No they're not. lol well not in Novas anyway, but thats all beside the point.
I'm talking legit HIDs here, not filament bulbs btw.
Check Jay's WIP, im too lazy to go and find the pic myself but theres a good before and after.
Asa-James
16-04-09, 01:40 PM
copied from DfT website...
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:
1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:
1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
clicky (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps)
There's no headlamp cleaning or self levelling on novas, well no headlamp cleaning on the majority anyway.
novaguy08
16-04-09, 02:04 PM
the headlamp cleaning was optional on Novas........
Which is why theres no headlamp cleaning on the majority, as said
novaguy08
16-04-09, 02:44 PM
ah i need to learn to read!
RJ knows about the laws and doesnt care lol.
Have you tried decent Halogen bulbs?
novaguy08
16-04-09, 06:10 PM
im agreeing with CK, i put some brighter bulbs in my car and they do the job fine! they supposed to be something like 80% brighter but i would say that they something like 60-70% better. either way they LOAADAS better :D
Only thing I've ever seen improve the light given was brilliance bulbs, 100/110W though, so not road legal... funking bright though lol
My mates got them on a civic, very bright.
No point asking to see a beam pattern, there isnt one! On motorways you can see the light beaming back past the car!
No point asking to see a beam pattern, there isnt one! On motorways you can see the light beaming back past the car!
lol
Hmm, well I have HIDs on the dipped beam lamps at the moment and Halfords +50% on main beam. The halfords ones are good, but not a patch on the HIDs (I also use HIDs on the Celica, so I've kinda gotten used to being able to see where I'm going lol)
Of course this is with BMW E30 lamps on the Nova, so the beam pattern is very precise.... I know the Nova beam pattern won't be as good, but didn't want to spend out going back to std headlamps with HIDs only to find the light pattern is all over the shop lol
[edit] I had PIAA ~110W bulbs on the old hatch and they were good, but again not a patch on HIDs
Should have pointed out that was a direct reply to the posts above, I've tried 'good' halogen bulbs before and wasn't impressed, couldn't see a difference in fact. I've never been able to compare HIDs and 110w bulbs.
Have you tryed driving at night with out the raybands on Jack ?
Every time ive seen you you've had them on.
DirtyDave
20-04-09, 10:38 PM
I've never really understood how uprated 80% more light halogen bulbs are better than standard halogen bulbs considering most are 55 watts, how do you get 80% extra light from the same power input????
novaguy08
20-04-09, 11:00 PM
well.......... ummmm good point, either way i know i put some whiter bulbs in and thy at least look brighter compared to my ol yellow ones
I had some PIAA ones which were 55W draw and 110W output or something like that.
Anyway.... beam pattern in mk2 nova lamps? Yeeeaaas? lol
Sure adam had a before after pic of his. Have a look in his wip thread, think he had one normal and one hid aimed at the wall to show the difference
Ahh, just had a look. Can't find pics of the beam pattern but the shots of the lamps with the HIDs in have the light all over the place, plus he says there's issues with light distribution AND it failed an MOT for it.
Ghay. Might have to stick with my E30 lamps then :(
Ghay. Might have to stick with my E30 lamps then :(
pics? :thumb:
Got some in my photobucket. I'll post 'em when I get home.
Ballache to do though lol
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/Cars/Project%20Ghey/15112008815.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/Cars/Project%20Ghey/Copyof15112008809.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/Cars/Project%20Ghey/Copyof15112008812.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/Cars/Project%20Ghey/15112008811.jpg
Offside lamp needs pulling back to the left a little, but aside from that they're goooood
No halogen bulbs will beat HIDs for output.
Mine were ace, yes they failed mot, but they lit the road up very well.
Had no probs at all with my bi-xenon kit, they even surived a crash... lol
Did the light just blat out all over the shop or was it relatively defined?
And bi-xenon, I assume you mean the ones with the small halogen element for high beam?
It shone everywhere..... No definition at all. hence why they fail mot.
Mine have a solenoid type thing that clicks to shift the beam for full beam...
Ahh, excellent. Was wondering how reliable the solenoid ones were.
Mmm, I'm a bit concerned about the lack of definition you see. As the E30 lamps (and the Celica too) both have quite well defined and patterned light with the HIDs. Hmmmmmm
No one ever flashed me, and when i got pulled with them on the police never mentioned them.....
But if you look at them in a beam machine,the beam pattern is non-existent.
Hids over everykind of "upraterd" bulbs.
Loved mine. Will be refitting if i can get a new relay.
Mine before being adjusted.( They where very low)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/bennh2/HID%20fitting/IMG_2791.jpg
Dont look like a lot of light, but where i'm paked its pitch black, and they really night everything up so bright.
And cause its cool.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/bennh2/HID%20fitting/IMG_2794.jpg
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