Another HID thread.

[MikeATL]

Sorry for another HID thread, but I think I have some new info.

So I purchased a HID kit (6000k McCullough), and I haven't really been satisfied with the output. Seemed like all the bright light was around the edges of the light, kinda like it was pointing at the sidewalk. There was basically a huge dark spot right in the middle of the car, with the fog lights actually projecting farther than my headlights.

After doing some research on HIDPlanet Forums(a great HID info source) I found that Acura MDXs have the same problems: Projectors designed for Halogens and same H11 bulb. Someone with an MDX found that by modifying the projector housing, allowing the bulb to sit about 2mm farther inside the projector fixed the output.

Here is a picture i took comparing my HIDs bulbs to my Halogen bulbs:

I know its not the best picture, but check out where the fillament is on the halogen and the bubble is on the HID. Thats where the light comes from, and you can see that the hallogen sits farther in the proector than the HID.

So i took a dremmel to the bulb, I didnt want to mess with the actual headlight, and cut out the middle plastic section so it goes all the way down to the base when you insert the bulb.

Here is the comparison:

on the right you can see the out-of-focus light, and on the left you can see the bulb I did the mod on.
Here is another pic:

(I am about 3-4 feet away from the wall in both pictures)

I havent tested them out in total darkness yet, but you can aleady see that the light is more focused.

Let me know what you guys think, especially the ones with HIDs in Gen2s. Its raining in the ATL right now, so I probably wont test them tonight, but I will post night driving results as soon as I can.

[bunthy]

the light pattern should be close to stock now. Thats a good thing that you took a look at the focal point of the bulbs. You shouldn't have any more problems as previously described now. Happy driving! Check out:

faqlight.carpassion.info

I haven't check HID planet yet, but this is the ONE site I go for all my hid needs. Its very in-depth about measurments, diff. hid on oem cars, aftermarket products, etc. Very good site, check it out.

[cklinh]

Hm... something seems wrong here... (or, I'm just totally missing the point)

From what you're saying, the right, with the dark spot, is stock, and the left is modified...

but, if you compare that with someone else's Gen 2 (not mine, although mine is pretty much similar, this is Posh's)...



Our stock ones do not show that "dark spot" that your stock one does... or am I just toally out of it today?

[MikeATL]

Thats a good question. Posh was one of the first Gen2s I saw with HIDs, and her pics convinced me to buy mine.

Its hard to compare HID pics if the conditions aren't exactly the same (distance from wall, natrual lighting, camera, etc). In dark conditions and at the same distance, my HIDs looked good, the light just wouldnt carry down the road far enough (not even passed my fog lights).

Posh (and you) might have a better kit than mine, one with the focus points better matched up. As you can see from my bulb pics, its obvious that my HID kit didnt match the hallogen fillament length, and thats why my beams were out of focus.

For everyone who wants to know what I cut on the bulb:

II^
II l
II l
II l <-Bulb and wire return
II l
II l
II l
II l
------- <-This is the H11 "thread"
llllllll
-------- <-This is what I cut, there was a rubber gasket between this and
---------<- this lip. Now the bulb sits at this depth, not ^^that one^^
88888<-base

Sorry, I hope that makes sense. I havent taken pics of the bulbs yet.

[krawzyazn]

Thats a good question. Posh was one of the first Gen2s I saw with HIDs, and her pics convinced me to buy mine.

well who did you get your kit from lol Posh got hers from ME

[someazn]

I am assuming that youre cutting the red rubber piece out. Correct?

[MikeATL]

well who did you get your kit from lol Posh got hers from ME

I didnt get mine from you but I think I got the same kit you sell (same supplier).

A lot of people I talked to with the same issues didnt care about the performance because they said they never drive in very dark conditions. Here in Atlanta there are quite a few areas with no streetlights but enough traffic that you cant use brights.

I would like to see some people with Gen2 HIDs at close range, that way you can see the "hot spot" and how in focus it is, because obviously mine wasnt at all.

I am assuming that youre cutting the red rubber piece out. Correct?

The red rubber gasket comes off. I just got rid of the lip that the rubber gasket sits in. Now when you seat the bulb it goes all the way to the base. I might cut the gasket and use it later on just to get a better seal.

[cklinh]

I would like to see some people with Gen2 HIDs at close range, that way you can see the "hot spot" and how in focus it is, because obviously mine wasnt at all.

MikeATL,

Did you mean the projected light on a wall or the actual headlight itself?

If the former, here's mine from about 4 feet, fogs off, not much ambient light, flash off.




I think when I have time this weekend, I'll try to compare the two bulbs (to get to the bottom of this anomaly).

[Nyyankees3511]

Does the same thing apply for gen1s?

[sydemoid]

On a Gen 1 the HID's disperse the light, it is not a focused beam, Im going to try your suggestion, and locate the bulb back 2 millimeters or so.

To see if there is a difference in light output.

[MikeATL]

cklinh: Your HIDs look good. They look like mine after I did the mod. Before, I had that out of focus halo effect, and that explains why I saw a bright spot on the sidewalk, and nothing in front of the car.

As for Gen1s, I guess it depends on the setup. If you installed projectors I would double check your bulb position if you are not satisfied with the output. If you are using stock reflectors, who knows...

This was just a problem I was having, some people said they have the same problem, some said they werent. A quick way to check is to just compare your halogen bulb side by side with your HID bulb. The fillament (the spring looking thing) and the bubble in the HID bulb should be in the same position. This ensures that the light emitted from the bulb travels the way it was designed to in the projector.

[Nyyankees3511]

Ok thanks ill take a look when i pick them up. How is the 5300k color? Is it a little blue.

[MikeATL]

Ok thanks ill take a look when i pick them up. How is the 5300k color? Is it a little blue.

I would say 5300k is pure white. 4300k is a little yellow, and 6000k is a little blue.

[cklinh]

Ok thanks ill take a look when i pick them up. How is the 5300k color? Is it a little blue.

FYI, I have 5300K. It's pretty close to what it looks like in the pics.

[krawzyazn]

Ok thanks ill take a look when i pick them up. How is the 5300k color? Is it a little blue.

FYI, I have 5300K. It's pretty close to what it looks like in the pics.

I think you got your kit from me too lol