HID Conversion Kit

[Hammer]

I've just got myself a Bosch Xenon HID conversion kit for my MX5.



The only problem is, it didn't come with a wiring diagram. Looking at the wires, it seems simple enough, but since the globes aren't exactly cheap, I wanted to make sure, that the plugs are connected to the right area.

Searched the internet and managed to download some basic diagrams.

But if someone has a softcopy of a wiring diagram for one of these? Or if someone can point me where I can download one, it would be appreciated.

[PUR157]

Conversation kit...???

[Hammer]

Basically, this is a plug and play Xenon HID convertion kit, and simply not a halogen globe with a blue tint.

It replaces the standard halogen bulb of the headlight with a proper Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulb (does not work for seal beams).

Since the HID bulb requires more voltage, it comes with it's own ballast to regulate current flow etc. The ballast is where you connect the existing headlight plug. On the NB8B, thats a HB4 type (low beam).

It produces brighter (white) light (similar to the headlights you see on top spec BMWs, Audis and the Honda Accord Euro) while using less wattage (only 35w - compared to the normal 55w low beam). Due to this, they generate less heat.

I need it on those long drive to Port Stephens at night.

[NMX516]

Well it has certainly started a conversation.........

But seriously, I too would be keen to know approx $'s involved.

[green_comet]

I thought these kits were illegal??

They look good though..

[Hammer]

I thought these kits were illegal??

They look good though..

I've been told they are only illegal if you use bulbs that are over 8,000k (kelvin). So 8000k and below is fine (in NSW).

- 6000k is the daylight white colour - my preference.
- 8000k has a bluish tinge (very slight).
- 10000k has a blue to blue/green tinge
- 12000k has a purple-ish tinge (getting darker)

A halogen is anywhere between 3500-4500k - giving a yellowish colour.

Although in my opinion, in the wet, that 3500-4000k range is better at illuminating the wet road. 6000k-8000k is better on the dry or at illuminating further distances like cats eyes or road markings/signs on any weather.

I got mine from eBay supplied by a local seller (ie, not delivered from OS). The chinese/korean made kits start from about $120 (plus postage). The German or Japanese made kits start from $400 (plus P&H). Prices from boutique auto accessory retail shops, starts from $350+ for the Chinese branded kits, and the Japanese and German made kits start from $600+.

I went for a brand name - Bosch. But made from Bosch's factory in Hong Kong/China. I wanted 6000k, but the HB4 was only available in 8000k. They set me back $235 including P&H. A little bit more than the Chinese branded kits, but hoping the brand name will be better quality.

I'll give an update once I've installed them.

[Boost]

Its basically plug and play. Mount your ballasts, remove your H4 bulbs, shove in the new hid bulbs, connect the wires from the bulb to the ballast and the wires from the ballast to your standard headlight wires that connects to your old h4 bulbs. Thats it!

Thats the dodgy way tho. To properly connect it; instead of connecting the ballast directly into your standard headlight wires you should run the ballast through a 12V at least 30amp relay which is triggered by your standard headlight wire. That way your ballast is powered through your car battery and won't burn any wires connecting to your headlight. The ballasts draw alot of current on startup to fire the HID bulbs, once the bulbs are fired the current draw is reduced. If you connect your ballast directly to your standard headlight wires, if it does burn a wire in your car, its going to be hell trying to find which wire is fried.
Oh its also good to run a 15amp fuse in series with the ballast as well.

Some people place their ballast inside the front bumper, I dont think this is a good idea cause if it rains really hard or if theres a massive puddle in the road your ballast are going to be soaked and if they arnt water proof... well there goes $200+ worth of $$$.

Hope that helps.

Oh by the way, cars that come equipt with HIDs usually run bulbs with temperatures ranging from 4300K to 5000K. I hope your bulbs are made for car with reflectors cause if it isnt , its going to blink on going traffic.

[Juffa]

So if I understand this right the HID bulbs go into the existing light housing? Don't those cars that come with HID as standard (including the NC) use special light housing, which are clear. I would also assume that you would need to make sure your headlight alignment is spot on so you are not affecting other road users.

I doubt we could ever mount such a kit in the NA as the pop up head lights tend to vibrate, and I would hate to have one behind me or coming towards me as the very bright flickering light could be blinding.

J

[Garry]

Factory HID's use a special HID reflector in their projector lights that have a much sharper cut off than that used for a normal halogen bulb. Using a HID bulb in AUS delivered MX5 projector lights will produce an uneven light spread and be very bright at some angles to oncoming cars. I have seen the results of a HID kit fitted to a non-HID projector housing and one fitted to a retrofitted purpose designed HID projector housing and the difference was amazing. If you are installing them at least make sure you get your lights alligned correctly. Do not install them into a non-projector light housing because the cutoff is nowhere near good enough.

BTW, unless they have changed the ADR's recently they are illegal to be fitted without a self levelling device and headlight washers.

[jules]

Not to be a pain, but I really don't like being in front of cars with these lights fitted.


Jules

[Boost]

Cars that come equipt with HID's have glass \"projectors\" to spread and project the lumens onto the road. Most cars use \"reflectors\" to reflect the lumens onto the road. Projectors produce a sharper cut-off than reflectors. You can get hid bulbs which are made for projectors and reflectors, d2s - projectors & d2r - reflectors.
You will definately need to re-align your headlights after the install for obvious reasons.

[Bevan]

Not to be a pain, but I really don't like being in front of cars with these lights fitted.

Jules

Na, that's not being a pain. It's being rude having one installed and not having it adjusted.

A few months ago, a POS Starlet had one of these fitted and was sitting right behind me an faarrrkk it was bright. So I changed lanes braked, tucked in behind him and accelerated again and drove with the high beems on for a few minutes.

I don;t think he like that too much.

[Fuzzlet]

Cars that come equipt with HID's have glass "projectors" to spread and project the lumens onto the road. Most cars use "reflectors" to reflect the lumens onto the road. Projectors produce a sharper cut-off than reflectors. You can get hid bulbs which are made for projectors and reflectors, d2s - projectors & d2r - reflectors.
You will definately need to re-align your headlights after the install for obvious reasons.

I have "projector" style headlights

[Hammer]

All the Xenon HID OEM fitted cars that I've seen all seem to have projector style headlights (not reflectors). This is the same type on an NB8B low beam.

I've also seen it an an NB8B, and it does not blind on coming traffic, it's light projection is just like the halogen but much brighter. I also think it's safer for on-coming traffic, because if you look at it off centre, it does not hit you hard. in fact, it turns into a bluish colour.

[Casey]

All the Xenon HID OEM fitted cars that I've seen all seem to have projector style headlights (not reflectors). This is the same type on an NB8B low beam.

Top level IS200's have HID's fitted to conventional reflector style headlights - work very well too. They are the ones with the headlight washers.