HID Conversion Kit

[Mr Morlock]

for anyone with normal eyesight or one who wears glasses the standard headlamps on an MX5 are good- not like old cars with sealed beams etc. The NB with projectors are excellent. HID kits are illegal and they often irritate other drivers due to dazzle etc- save your money for something useful. If there was ever a fire in the car related to fitment of hid's your insurance co may not pay- does anyone bother to advise them of a modification? I guess no.

[Locutus]

does anyone bother to advise them of a modification? I guess no.

i informed my insurer.

[simon_mx5]

I understand they are classed as illegal
I just need some assistance in the best way/place to run wires through to the engine bay.

Cheers

[slimx]

HID kits shuold not be ran directly from the battery, they dont have their own fuses or anything.

I have installed heaps of hid kits..

As for laws..
Right now..
To have a HID kit your car requires headlight washers, and a projector lens on the lowbeam (NB 01+ stock). Don't know the reason for the washers something to do with reflections or dirt glariness probably.

Anyway..
As for you trying to install yuor HID kit if your HID kit is WRONG.. and does not have a connector, or you bought your kit off someone who chpoped it off.

for NB Series 1 (99-00)
Should be two wires coming out of your bulb to your kit, 2 wires coming out of your Ballast with a connector (if you dont have this connector)
Find the STOCK HEADLIGHT PLUG..
Bodgey way:
chop the stock headlight connector, strip all 3 wires, strip your 2 hid wires touch each one to each one (WHILE your headlights are turned on until it works). Tape/solder together (tape off the one that doesnt work on your car).

Good way:
Buy your self little metal clamps? or i dont know what they are called but they are like thin metal pins which fit into your headlight stock connector, just plug each one into each one until you see it works (best way to do this is, plug in 1 to the connector, then plug the one into both see if it works, if not unplug wire 1 into next socket repeat the same thing with wire 2). Until it works (remember your headlights must be on to do this)

Kits with highbeam+lowbeam, honestly never flocked around with these ones i hate the way they work its very bodgey. I have never personally hooked these up without using normal connectors and clips that come from a proper hid kit so i cant garunty this will work with them.

for NB series 2+ headlights (9006 globe)
from the hid globe to ballast 2 wires, from ballast to YOUR STOCK headlight connector there should be 2 wires (an expensive hid kit) will hvae no positive negative so it will work straight away) cheap ones just try both ways one will work.
(Should come stock with pins as 9006 usualy does not have connectors)


------
If your just worried about power, for the HID dw your headlight connector can easily run the HID KIT DO NOT use the battery, if you do this (in the past ive been through it) if the headlights are on and u start your car im not sure how alternators work but it seems to give more power when u start the car, this will blow yuor ballast. (wont always happen) but has happened TWICE.

ƒü¢k that was a long post. lol
and before anyone says thats not how you do it blah blah..
I KNOW, but this guy obviously DOEST HAVE the proper connectors or hid ikt so i just gave him a bodgey solution which should work.

[Mr Morlock]

would you really like a bodgy solution? Headlight washers was required because dust etc on the lenses can cause dazzle ie affecting other motorists. In the early days of HID on OE headlamps systems the electronics was very tricky and faulty product could cause problems - the bulb was only part of the system- the bulb makers did not make the electronics. I am not qualified in any sense to suggest installation methods - one would need training as an auto elec. Personally I would not recommend this to anyone. At the very least get an auto elec to do it- if they are prepared to.

[simon_mx5]

I hooked up the HIDs to the battery, the headlight controls it on and off, dipped the headlights. Looks good.


Just to add to the debate, I believe projector headlamps are not needed by law, look at an 05 forester XT, standard with HID's, no projectors

Sent from my X10i using Tapatalk

[slimx]

Not to sure bout forester. Maybe the reflector is contained? As in only a small part of the headlight maybe reflects?

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

[Mr Morlock]

not sure what you mean Simon. Headlight cleaning was , and as far as I am aware , still required for any headlamp system ie low beam/ high beam. A projector lamp normally sits behind a lens like an NB P2 and consequently if there was an hid light source there should be a lens cleaning system. If you have a hid aftermarket lamp like a driving lamp it does not have to have lense cleaning- but that is not really relevant to the headlamp conversion.

[mmx005]

My NB8A had these hid's http://www.musecret.com.au/category13_1.htm and they were really good. execpt for 1 issue, i lost the blue high beam light on the dash, something to do with the way the kit is wired. it comes back if you put the standard globes back in.

come with all the proper clips/plugs/fuses etc required and were easy to install (the plugs only fit one way so you cannot muck it up).

as far as connection to the battery went, i went to the main fuse box under the bonnet and found a big power lead(was well covered by the box) that was lugged and a bolt that happened to fit the lug on the wiring of my hid's.i disconectted the battery then used the bolt for the main supply for the hid's. im pretty sure its the main lead from the battery.

i ran the hid's like this for 2.5 years up and down the f3,3hrs a day, 6 days a week and everywhere else i drove untill i blew a globe. i wasnt gonna fork out full price for just a globe. i drove everywhere with my head lights on so i could be seen by the 4x4 soccer mums as the boys in blue DIDNT like my driving lights.

I NEVER HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THEM.

im now going to consider these from jaycar as you can buy spare globes/ ballast's if required.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... BCATID=375

Hope this helps

Ben

[dave2221]

this should be how it works


you connect the standard wiring to the connector, battery is there for hi/lo

If yours doesnt look like that, go spend $120 and get the one that does....

Also, AFIK, HID's are LEGAL if you have self leveling headlamps AND washers

Nothing to do with projectors.

Since the MX5 has neither, your breaking the law, and if you have a head on accident, and the other driver says "your headlights dazzled them"

Expect to have your a-hole made a few sizes larger..... especially if there is injury, as it could become a criminal offence.

I am not saying i didnt do it in the past, but really..... is it all worth it?

[Manusdei]

Since HID's are illegal, whats the best way to increase the amount of light on the ground in an NA? I've already upgraded the globes, but the actual spray of light is still crap tastic. my GFs new corolla has better low beams then my hi beams

[Charlie Brown]

I’ve just put in this Xtreme kit into the NC using the 4300k bulbs that equate to the OEM bulb type. http://www.kbcarstuff.com/HID-Kits-s/216.htm It comes with dual ballasts, dual wiring harness with relays, fuses, Phillips bulbs, etc, etc.

I decided to go for a quality kit and pay a little more as I’ve read a few problem reports on the cheaper Chinese kits being faulty straight from purchase. With the AUD being at 1.08 to the USD the end price for the Xtreme kit was AU$241.10 delivered.

The NC uses an H7 bulb in a projector style headlamp, but a word of warning about these kits, you need to get the H7 bulb adaptor http://www.kbcarstuff.com/OEM-Bulb-Adaptors-s/125.htm I didn’t and the postage was very expensive.

I read reports on Miata.net about how people installed them into the NC as the access to the lamps are VERY restricted. Most US enthusiasts removed the nose cone and then the headlight assembly to gain access to the left lamp. I decided that this was too time consuming so I removed the three bolts holding the fuse box/ECU and move it just enough to get my contorted hand into the back of the light assembly. After three attempts to get the HID bulb aligned correctly taking about 15 minutes each attempt, it would probably have been easier to use the US method. Attempt number four will be tonight. I’m going to modify the adaptor as it sits a little high on the supplied bulb in the NC housing.
The right lamp is easier to get to and sits OK in the housing but I’ll probably modify that to match the left side. The beam cuts off at the same level as the original halogen bulb and doesn’t appear to have any flaring when I view it from the front of the car.
I’ll update the report when I get the left side sorted.

[Mr Morlock]

A standard 7inch insert with an H4 is a very good light. If you put in higher wattage bulbs etc there is always a penalty to pay- ie reduced life. The possibilities are that your wiring/ connections etc are losing power and you can get this checked. It is common esp in older cars to see dull lights related to poor connections. A Hella H4 insert is a top quality light and correctly aimed it will fully comply with lighting standards- ie correct cut off etc. You can get your lights aimed by an auto elec or workshop and they will use a bulb aimer- it is a quick and effective method.

If your current inserts are dull after years of use it is best to replace. A standard set up means your car stays legal and the replacement is so simple. I would also just fit standard good quality H4 60/55w esp if you drive quite frequently at night - the drop off on life - higher heat in lamps equals reduced life.

Provided ones eyesight is normal the 7in lights should be fine or even specs might be required.

[Charlie Brown]

I have been searching the ADR’s, RTA and government sites to try and find where it stipulates that retrospective fitting of HID headlights is illegal and/or if not, there is a need to fit a self levelling device and headlamp washers when installing HID’s.

Can anyone come up with the required legislation that cover this?

I have looked at these sites (and a few others) so far:

The National Transport Commission site has the rule for Australian Vehicle Standards

http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reforms ... st2007.pdf

http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports ... lDec01.pdf


7.4 Using a headlight tester, check the aim of the
headlights.

Reasons for rejection
a) the aim of the headlight is adjusted such that, when on high beam
and measured at an effective distance of 8m, the projected centre
of the beam is to the right of the headlight centre and/or is above
the headlight centre;
b) when measured at an effective distance of 8m, any part of the top
edge of the high intensity portion of the low beam pattern is
above and to the right of the centreline of the headlight;

NOTES:
1) in the region above and to the right of the centreline of the headlight the
luminous intensity must not exceed 437cd.
2) the portion of the beam to the left of the centreline of the light may extend
above the height of the centreline of the headlight.
3) the "centreline of the headlight" passes through the centre of the globe
filament, or equivalent.
c) the headlight high beam indicator light is not operating.


I can’t find anything in the RTA Vehicle Standards Information Sheets found here:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... i_dl1.html

That includes guidelines for modifications found here:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... v_2007.pdf


Australian Design Rules for lighting on new vehicles can be found here:

ADR 13/00 “Installation of Lighting” http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2005L03991 Clause 6 refers to headlamps. See also Annex 5 for test procedures.

ADR 46/00 deal with headlamp design by the manufacturer. http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L02294

ADR 77/00 Gas discharge headlamps - has been superseded according to this: http://www.blis.tas.gov.au/BLIS/prod/li ... cence=7159

Superseded standard
http://scaleplus.law.gov.au/ComLaw/Legi ... RLI%5D.pdf

I haven't been able to find the new standard.

ADR 78/00 Gas discharge light source – design of bulb only
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L02732

So nothing on retro fitting.

I have been able to get the measurements to enable me to check that the lights are not to high (ADR 77/00 Appendix A, Annex 3, pages 32 & 33). They are actually too low and I want to bring them up a touch but not enough to effect oncoming drivers.

[Mr Morlock]

Just take a look at any OEM HID headlamp systems. We borrow virtually all technology from Eu and headlight cleaning and self levelling has been law for many years. None of the aftermarket cheapy units will meet ADR's or for that matter probably none have even seen the inside of a photometric lab. There is only a handful of OEM set makers in the world but hundreds of copyists and shonks. There is only one OEM set maker in Au that I am aware of - Hella and anyone can ring and talk to the product manager- Hella of course have a photometric lab. It is common place that many of the authorities actually are not really up to speed on legislation eg the Police and that is not a criticism. Narva and Hella cross reference their aftermarket products.

Anyone travelling at night and aware of lighting will attest to the fact that there are some dodgy lights around which can dazzle and annoy others.

I would have thought that the NC lights put out a good and output and beam pattern- my NB with projectors is really excellent.