Topic: H.I.D headlight i just ordered one! Installed 4-29 with pics!!!!

[ev0lution7]

Ok i'm taking the plunge!!! i ordered a 5000K pure white HID headlight!!! it was a really good price and free shipping i will post pictures and let you guys know how i like it!

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-HID-FREE-SHIPPING/H4-9003-HB2/V-HID-35W-SLIM-BALLAST-p4961321.html

looks pretty k00l i talked to them and they said that the unit draws 4.5amps for 5-7 secs then after that draws aprox 2.3 amps!!!! it is awesome!!! i hope that with the front and rear LEDS and my tail light led that my charging system will be totally free'd  up it be taxed

[eurban]

HID bulbs really require a "projector" rather than "reflector" lens to work properly.  Most modern motorcycles and automobiles have sophisticated lens' that focus and direct the light. If they aren't already so equiped, upgrading to HID bulbs can work very well. . . .Your standard 7" halogen H4 reflector housing doesn't do much to focus and direct the light. Is this what you are installing it in?  If so you will undoubtedly have a very bright headlight, but one that may be a nuisance or even a hazard to everyone you meet on the road.   

[Inigo Montoya]

I saw a kit on ebay that included BOTH high and low in one unit. Given how bright some lights are on cars, especially trucks, I do not mind if I return the favor.

[eurban]

I know what you are saying but I wonder if you really want a blinded car driver coming at you??  For what its worth, I believe these types of conversions are technically illegal in the US and would probably have you fined in the UK.  BTW his kit is both high and low beam.

[dummkauf]

I saw a kit on ebay that included BOTH high and low in one unit. Given how bright some lights are on cars, especially trucks, I do not mind if I return the favor.

I have HID's in my car(came from the factory that way) with projectors, and I've seen the after market kits installed by @$$holes without the projector.  Yes my headlights are bright, but the projector focuses the light so that oncoming cars aren't blinded by them, unlike HID's just installed as a replacement to halogens that just blind everyone.  If you want HID's for your bike great, but don't be a dick about it, invest in a projector to properly shape the light....and like the previous poster said, do you really want a car that can't see anything driving towards you on your bike?  Also, if you aren't planning on buying a projector for it you could have just saved yourself the money and just drive everywhere with your high beam on, a lot cheaper and will achieve the same end result.

Oh, and installing a HID without a projector is illegal pretty much everywhere, so hopefully you don't blind any cops with it.

[Steve F]

A couple of points: first, I must be one of those "@$$holes" on the road that blind everyone since I installed HID's in my Silverado pickup, huh?  Well, I've got to say that that is just a bunch of bunk.  Truth is, I was getting A LOT of people flashing their brights at me when I was running SILVERSTAR (pieces of crap) bulbs, and only once so far with the HID's, and that's because I was at the crest of a hill as the other car was approaching.  The factory headlights are built for Halogen, and I took the time to compare them with the HID bulbs.  The halogen filament and the light element area on the HID were in the exact same position as measured from the base of the bulb.  PLUS, the silverado headlight (low beam) shields the bulb in a metal housing so that all of the light is directed to the same area on the reflector, and not allowed to be emitted straight out the front.  End result: Same exact lighting pattern as the stock headlight.
SECOND point:  The projector beams you refer to are one of the more annoying things, and are far from a perfect beam as viewed by approacing traffic (me).  I can't tell you how many times I get blinded by them, factory install or not.

[dummkauf]

A couple of points: first, I must be one of those "@$$holes" on the road that blind everyone since I installed HID's in my Silverado pickup, huh?  Well, I've got to say that that is just a bunch of bunk.  Truth is, I was getting A LOT of people flashing their brights at me when I was running SILVERSTAR (pieces of crap) bulbs, and only once so far with the HID's, and that's because I was at the crest of a hill as the other car was approaching.  The factory headlights are built for Halogen, and I took the time to compare them with the HID bulbs.  The halogen filament and the light element area on the HID were in the exact same position as measured from the base of the bulb.  PLUS, the silverado headlight (low beam) shields the bulb in a metal housing so that all of the light is directed to the same area on the reflector, and not allowed to be emitted straight out the front.  End result: Same exact lighting pattern as the stock headlight.
SECOND point:  The projector beams you refer to are one of the more annoying things, and are far from a perfect beam as viewed by approacing traffic (me).  I can't tell you how many times I get blinded by them, factory install or not.

Element position doesn't have anything to do with it.  It's the light output of a HID vs. a halogen.  The reason for the projector is to provide the very distinct cutoff line which is usually aimed at a point lower than the hood of most automobiles as to avoid shining directly into other drivers eyes, but appaerntly your silverado has non-projector headlights that somehow accomplishes this.  Standard halogens don't bother with that cutoff because the light isn't intense enough to cause problems.  I've seen both setups, and the non-projector setups always proved far more irritating than any car I've ever seen with an actual projector setup.

and I suppose the DOT in most states require a projector for HID's just to be pricks too huh?

[cb350twin]

Here's a projector that would work great with hid's and our bikes:

http://www.racinglab.com/sealed-beam-lhp-7rnd.html

Projectors look way cooler and work way better with HID'S.

Some of the first Escalades had reflector type HID'S STOCK and I have never herd of a recall. I agree aftermarket lights can blind you with reflector types and even if you get projectors u need some type of  auto leveling. But its not as bad as the tons of cars on the road that run with  mis a lined headlights or just one.. I proudly run aftermarket hid's in my reflector type lights but there within the correct color and nothing annoying or outlandish.

: Also reflector type HID bulbs usually have a coating or painted part on the bulb to try produce the cut off like other cars. Not saying it works or not though

[Steve F]

Element position doesn't have anything to do with it.  It's the light output of a HID vs. a halogen. 

and I suppose the DOT in most states require a projector for HID's just to be pricks too huh?
[/quote]You can suppose what you want, but can you back up that statement about a projector being a requirement when using HID's?  Can you supply documentation about what the D.O.T. specifies?
You said element position has nothing to do with it?  It has EVERYTHING to do with it if you are using the stock reflector, and not a projector type system.  Everything.  That's why when you purchase a hi-low bulb, they come with a solenoid that actually shifts the bulb position slightly to mimic the position of the energized hi-low filaments in a halogen (or any incadescent) bulb.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I remember when I purchased my 1991 Acura Legend new. I got flashed at all the time on low beam. The reason - those damned new fangled "high output" HALOGEN lights! Same wattage. The other drivers were not used to halogen then either. First year I believe. Now they probably don't know what to think when I make a turn in my Acura RL with HID headlights and the headlight turns as the car turns. I had a difficult time at first as I was always trying to look over the field of light they project. Damned new fangled HID turny headlights that look blue! 

I'm all for more visibility on the road, day or night, for both the bike and myself PLUS the oncoming traffic especially since I got taken out head-on while riding my Harley. However I wouldn't want to be the cause of a head-on by blinding a oncoming car. Dim'em dammit when you need to.

[eurban]

Here's a projector that would work great with hid's and our bikes:

http://www.racinglab.com/sealed-beam-lhp-7rnd.html

Inspite of what it says at the top, I don't think that is really a projector lens suitable for use with HIDs. 

[Inigo Montoya]

Sorry but the projectors do not work worth crap. I can tell anytime a car has hid lights stock or not. The supposed cut off apparently does not work. Besides what happened to looking to the right side of the road so the lights do not hit you directly in the eyes? I mean they teach that in drivers ed classes. Look towards the right side of the road. Hey, it helps.

Besides that, DOT requirements will vary from state to state. My state does not have regulations other than if you are stopped, you have 48 hours to rectify the situation.

[ev0lution7]

look i didnt start this topic to bash on eachother i simply was saying i got one... the key to any HID headlight install (i've done hours of research) is that you have to AIM them properly!!!!!!!! if you dont you will blind the on comming traffic so you have to properly aim to get the right light output and not blind other drivers... i got ups tracking so hopefully by wed i will have the light

[Inigo Montoya]

Aim is the key to any light source. I hope they work good for you. I am in favor of HID on our bikes, less wattage and more light, always a good thing.

[ev0lution7]

Aim is the key to any light source. I hope they work good for you. I am in favor of HID on our bikes, less wattage and more light, always a good thing.

I AGREE that is what i was TRYING to say with this HID kit and somehow it turned into a piss'n match over blinding lights on bikes and cars anyways it arrives WED!!!! i will wire it up wed...I will post pictures here when i'm done with the install and try to get pictures at night as well!!

[Inigo Montoya]

Hope it works good. I want to get one too sometime. I ride at night sometimes on country roads and more light ha never been a bad thing!

[Steve F]

Good luck with the install!  The one I put on my bike last Thursday gave me a lot of grief when it cam to choosing a place for the ballast and still having enough wire to make it to the headlight bucket.  I ended up having to extend the power and the headlight wires about 2 and 3 feet respectively to make it from the area under the seat to the front.  I have an on/off switch, so that while I'm cranking the bike, it remains off until the bike is running to avoid the quick on/off that happens while pushing the starter button.  I heard that this is a bad thing for HID's.  So, once the bike is running, on comes the light and stays on until I shut down.
Steve F

[ev0lution7]

Ok...

so what i did:

i followed the instructions... except...

when you install the relay i cut the Hi/Low switch wires (black, blue) and extended them.. i also instaleld the ground "lug" at the coils... were the stock harness mounts...

also i cut the power wire and wired it to the "4th" fuse plug on my fuse panel

3rd.  I cut up an "old" headlight plug and extened the wires from the headlight bucket to the relay... that way it kept down the clutter in the headlight bucket...

also as you can see... the bulb is "shrouded" it still is BRIGHT and the hi/low is awesome i'm gunna try it out tonight and see how it looks in the dark... i love it so far! its bright to look dead on it and it only draws 2.3Amps (on hi/low) it just re-aims the headlight for High beam!

[ev0lution7]

here are the install pics...

[ev0lution7]

and the final ones

[ev0lution7]

here is the final installed with everything mounted and screwed down!

[Inigo Montoya]

You should take a pic at night with the light illuminating something.

[ev0lution7]

its not dark yet and i dont know if my camera will like that it has trouble with my LED's

[mikethejeepguy]

yeah curious to see that too.

A little trick for night photography. Turn the flash off, and set the timer (like for self portrait, usually 5 seconds - doing so will eliminate trigger shutter a.k.a. the camera shaking and moving around as you press the trigger and the aperture has to stay open longer to compensate for lack of flash) Put the camera on a tripod or a sturdy surface, and make sure that it won't move around (holding it in your hand won't work) .... aim... click... and let go of the cam! In a few seconds you'll have an awesome pic of HIDs for us to see!

If you know this trick... just ignore me 

Mike

[fuzzybutt]

any idea how much heat that ballast puts out? could it get hot enough to cause problems with the fuel in the tank? i know less than nothing about these things is why i'm asking.