Hid Lamps?

RedDog · February 14, 2008

Hi. Can any of you intelligent people on here explain the difference between HID lights and Xenons? Thank you all in advance,

Stewart.

Haylands · February 14, 2008

Hi. Can any of you intelligent people on here explain the difference between HID lights and Xenons? Thank you all in advance,
Stewart.

Hi

HID = High intensity discharge, they don't have a filament like halogen lights, they work alot like a fluorescent tube and have a starter to ignite a gas to create the light, and the gas is Xenon.... so they are the same thing...

Pete

Einstein · February 14, 2008

As Pete says,

Geniuine HID lights use a pair of electrodes with a gap in between.. a very high voltage is passed through, which jumps the gap, and creates a spark.. the voltage then lowers and is controlled to give a constant arc between the electrodes, similar to an arc welder..

The capsule is filled with Xenon gas to lower the erosion of the electrodes.. the gas does not burn or ignite..

so called "HID look" bulbs are no more than a std filament bulb, but filled with Xenon gas which allows them to run hotter, hence brighter..

They are sometimes coated to block out yellow light, giving a slight blue tint, to mimic genuine HID systems.

These bulbs are usually marked as 30% brighter (over a normal halogen bulb) but genuine HID lights are in the region of 300% brighter..

John

RedDog · February 15, 2008

Well, b***er me! Pete and John, Thank you very much for the explanation. Really impressed with you John. User name definately appropriate!!

Stewart.

Einstein · February 15, 2008

give over... you'll have me blushing

John

DJ Wozza · February 16, 2008

In my opinion HID's are a massive safety improvement when driving at night.

Good quality kits from U.K. suppliers on E-Bay for £65 plus P+P

ssls400 · March 17, 2008

Yea i agree ,hid are way better than the standard halogen bulbs, they are so much brighter and more important than anything a lot safer at night time on motorways etc...

i got mu hid kit for £35 on eBay and took me about 40 mins or so to do them and my god i was very very pleased with them

get HID they are worth it and look so much better on a lexus ls400

hope this helps