xenon lights oh my what have i done

[dlevett]

I've done the DIY conversion on mine

I've finished the mods to the first one to hold the HID lamp. It turned out not to be too bad a job really - other than the Torx bit to remove the existing lamp holder (3 screws), all I needed were drills, tin snips, a bench gringer and a dremel.

I used 0.5mm stainless steel (because that was what I had), but it may be better to use 1mm aluminium.

My mod involved making 3 pieces:
- one to replace the existing lamp holder
- one as a spacer for the thickness of the HID lamp base
- one to go behind the base to hold the lamp in

The existing 3 screws hold all 3 pieces in, and everything appears absolutely secure.

I've only got to duplicate the arrangement for the other one.

I'm still in two minds whether to go 50W HID or 35W HID.

With the 50W HID in, the Micro DE seemed to be getting hot (though I've never 'felt it'after the 55W Halogen has been running for a while). To test, I was running it from one of those 'jump start'units - therefore only 12V at most - and measured the current at about 4.3A (51.6W if it was truely 12V - more likely to be about 11.6V by the time I got the ammeter set up). The base of the 50W HID bulb is plastic - but I suppose it is made to 'take the heat'.

 

[Cole]

I'm still in two minds whether to go 50W HID or 35W HID.

What you could do is put the 35s in the Micro DEs, since they will be used as running lights / foglights, then look for a pair compact spotlights that take the H3 fitment and fit the 50s on as driving lights.

If you have contacts in Canada ... Hella make a whole series of spotlights called Optilux, which they dont sell anywhere outside North America. They are inexpensive, and something like the 1500 model could make for a good conversion to HID.

http://www.rallylights.com/Optilux/Optilux_Auxiliary_Lamps.asp

This place has them on special for USD 20 a pair.

 

[dlevett]

Cheers Colebatch - I'll look out for them - we're back in Canada in the summer (I'll be fitting the 50W 9005's that are winginging their way to me from you).

I think what I'll do with the Micro DE's is fit the 50W HID (from you) in one, and a 35W HID in the other on a temporary basis, and see which I think are most suitable.

Cheers again - here's to more 'playing'.