Replacement HIDS - suggestions?

[Slipperyeel]

The dipped beam HID bulb/ballast/igniter (don't know which) seems to have gone. Got home with only the parking light working last night

Does anyone know where to source the 'instant on' HIDs. I've searched but not much luck. Wondered if anyone had a recommendation.

Cheers

 

[Packer]

Les Wassall on this forum if you want good quality kit at good prices.

If you want cheap I don't know as I don't waste my money.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I've got a spare 55W (4300k) HID and Ballast, removed from my car but in full working order, cover the postage and it's your's Mr Eel

Les's kit is top quality though as I have had 2 of his kits fitted to previous GS's and they where fantastic.

 

[Sleepy]

Look on ebay, or just do a search for HID kits, the prices have dropped through the floor, my son bought a kit recently for less than twenty pounds, and they work a treat.

Thy all seem to be made in China as well, so quality 'may' vary.

 

[Flipfly]

Dipped beam doesn't need a fast ballast. Key is the ceramic bulbs that Les does, they are far better. 5k max, anything more is reducing your light for looks. I like 4300/4600 personally.

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try and make contact with Les to see if he had any he can sell me.

Thanks for the offer Flipfly. I'll try Les first but you might just get a pm from me!

I agree the dip doesn't really need the instant on set up but just figured it was an improvement on the existing, tho its not a must. Also agree with colour. 5k is my preference (I don't mind a little blue in the beam).

Thanks again. I'll report back if it turns out different than just a bulb!

 

[Packer]

...............5k is my preference (I don't mind a little blue in the beam).................

Blue for appearances, OK posing, but your eyes see the yellower lower number colours better so 3½ - 4 gives most light that you can actually see

 

[Slipperyeel]

Blue for appearances, OK posing, but your eyes see the yellower lower number colours better so 3½ - 4 gives most light that you can actually see

Not so. 5k and a tad over is what we can see and most representative of natural daylight at noon...

And 5k ain't 'blue', but at some angles you will see a blue tinge. I believe it's the right colour to get noticed, which is flippin important around London (day or night!).

 

[Pukmeister]

Blue for appearances, OK posing, but your eyes see the yellower lower number colours better so 3½ - 4 gives most light that you can actually see

I've just ordered a full set of HID's for my '08 GSA from Les (after seeing Alleycams superb bike lights on a recent Wappings Wander). 50W dipped/fast main and 35W fogs, ceramic anti-U/V burners.

I've gone for the 6K Blue as I'm a bit of a tart and Les assures me they are good. If not I'll get the yellower grade burners later.

I saw pages of very cheap stuff on eBay and was tempted, but don't fancy being stuck in the dark on a wet and windy night, or melting the reflector inside my headlight.

 

[Grim Rider]

Had HID bulbs in my 1150GS for about six years now. Bought last set off fleabay after expensive ones bought from recommendations on here on here failed - cheap ones have worked really well and been 100% reliable over more than 50k. Just bought H7 dip and main for my Honda - cost £22 inc. postage and packing (but customs stung me for another £8!); is well made and comes on instantly.

 

[Timolgra]

Dipped beam doesn't need a fast ballast. Key is the ceramic bulbs that Les does, they are far better. 5k max, anything more is reducing your light for looks. I like 4300/4600 personally.

Slightly off topic, I've wired the 2 HIDs on my 640 through relays and so the dip stays on with main ( it didn't stay on before which plunged me into darkness for an eternity which meant I hardly used it).

Since going through a relay the main which is at least 7 years old fires up immediately

 

[Flipfly]

Slightly off topic, I've wired the 2 HIDs on my 640 through relays and so the dip stays on with main ( it didn't stay on before which plunged me into darkness for an eternity which meant I hardly used it).

Since going through a relay the main which is at least 7 years old fires up immediately

Yeah, that's the first sign it's going to fail

 

[jeremyj]

Ok looking at this thread what do I need to buy to convert my dipped and Main to HID, the kits that are advertised are they for cars or bikes (two Headlights):

 

[Slipperyeel]

Ok looking at this thread what do I need to buy to convert my dipped and Main to HID, the kits that are advertised are they for cars or bikes (two Headlights):

Its dead easy. If you're only just slightly mechanically minded is easy to work out. Below is a shortlist of what you need to know.

1. You'll need to drill out a 25mm hole into the centre of the cap that's covering the existing bulb (the bit you remove to acted the existing bulb)
2. The HID just picks up the existing connections.
3. Beware of where you locate the igniter and ballast. Generally as farther away as you reasonably can from the RID unit.
4. Lastly, quality of the kit you buy. Awful lot to read out there on the web about them and even harder to distinguish good from bad. The only two approaches are buy cheap and take the chance you'll replace it more often. Or go to a recommended source (my choice this time around). If you try the latter, then speak with Les Wassall from here.

I'm sure someone will be along to add or correct me, but it's definitely a simple, worth while mod.

Good luck!

 

[jeremyj]

Many thanks seems quite straight forward my only thoughts were the HID kits sold were for cars four lights rather than two. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Fluffmeister]

H7 is H7 mate, does not matter what it's going into. Most kits you see on eBay are 2 bulb kits. Les Wassal's kits are brilliant though as they come with a custom stainless bracket for the ballasts, and have ceramic cores as well as a fast start option and pre drilled bulb caps. It's a really tidy job .

If someone wants an eBay H7 though, I still have one free to a good home, with a ceramic core burner and canbus friendly ballast.