HID deal

[tybardy]

mine are super un-uniform! I need to get some better lenses... I am actually not sure if I like them better or worse then my sylvania's as it stands now!

---------- Post added at 08:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:08 PM ----------

yours look great though... I have a huge hot spot dead center of my truck, then two more smaller hot spots on either side of the truck

 

[dropmech]

Did you get them for the lows or fogs? With the 880's, you have to insert the little wire tabs into the + and - slots, and if they are reversed they won't work. I managed to do that to both lights last night on install. Work fine now, though, no harness. 55w is brighter then hell in the fogs with no focus. Can't run around all the time like this. But, here's some pics.

So you had to reverse the way the plugs attach because they were wired backwards?

 

[DenaliAK]

So you had to reverse the way the plugs attach because they were wired backwards?

That's why I asked if you got the 880's (fogs). The bulb is designed with two little tabs for the wires that you have to plug in. In my case, it was simply reversed-polarity, quick and easy fix--I had plugged them into the incorrect slots. If you're doing the lows, though, not sure you have that option because it's a different set up.

 

[dropmech]

I have the lows. 9006. I think I'll try to reverse them just for the hell of it before I order the harness.

 

[DenaliAK]

I have the lows. 9006. I think I'll try to reverse them just for the hell of it before I order the harness.

You really shouldn't need the harness if they are wired right. It's more of a fail-safe, but you should get ignition without it.

 

[Eagle]

Ditto.

 

[dropmech]

Hmmm......Is there a chance of them not working unless both are hooked up at the same time? I only hooked on up just in case it didn't work I would still be able to drive at night. Will having one halogen and one hid keep the hid from working?

 

[DenaliAK]

Hmmm......Is there a chance of them not working unless both are hooked up at the same time? I only hooked on up just in case it didn't work I would still be able to drive at night. Will having one halogen and one hid keep the hid from working?

One or the other, both, shouldn't matter. I always get one in and test fire it to make sure it's wired right, and get one HID and one halogen. Do you have both in? If you only have one in, try plugging your other ballast in. It could be a bad ballast.

 

[gtbigup01]

im glad yu guys tested some HID fogs because i was going to buy some to compliment the HID lows I recently bought, but if it's not in focus and too bright for oncoming traffic then i'll just keep my Nokya fogs in. Thanks for posting up ur HID fog review

 

[DenaliAK]

im glad yu guys tested some HID fogs because i was going to buy some to compliment the HID lows I recently bought, but if it's not in focus and too bright for oncoming traffic then i'll just keep my Nokya fogs in. Thanks for posting up ur HID fog review

Yep, np. They are definitely not focused with the stock housings. I will most likely at some point get some decent housings for them which should make a big difference. I was thinking about doing a retro projector for them, but after taking a closer look I would essentially have to fabricate an entire housing on my own. Not impossible, but more of a pain then I'm willing to do now. There are some after-market projectors you can get off ebay, but I question the quality.

I may get some Cibie or PIAA 4" round lights and mount those, though. Better lights by far so they should be a better matchup. The lens on the OEM fogs is thin plastic, and I'm a bit worried about it once I'm not in sub-zero temps.....

 

[vatahoelt]

one last question on the harness. do i need 1 harness for each HID bulb or does the harness both? thanks for the help.

 

[DenaliAK]

one last question on the harness. do i need 1 harness for each HID bulb or does the harness both? thanks for the help.

One harness for both lights. They are designed to work with pairs.

 

[dropmech]

It looks like they were wired backwards. I turned the plug around and now they both work. The housing's get really hot for 35w. Hopefully they don't melt on me. I'll drive at night with them for the first time tonight.

 

[Rivieraracing]

So DenaliAK, do you think that the 55W's are kinda overkill for everyday night time driving or are they just right? I want some bright lights just don't wanna be flashed at all the time from people thinking I have my brights on? I'm not necessarily talking about just having the lows on or the lows and the fogs on at the same time, just curious on your take on the brightness of them!

 

[DenaliAK]

Riviera: For general, everyday driving for most people, I think 55w is way overkill. Any kind of city driving, it's just not necessary. 35w low-beam HID's are still a hell of a lot brighter then any halogen lamp, and combine that with city lights and you just don't need more. I do a lot of dark, backwoods highway driving, so I like a LOT of light when I want it, but honestly I think in 95% of people's lives it'd be ridiculous.

I have 35w in my lows with the retro, but I think I could run the 55w bulbs in those. It's so focused I think I could keep from blinding people with the right adjustment. The fogs I don't drive with anytime there is traffic because it just throws light freakin' everywhere. You can actually make out the radius of the light from the reflector, and it shines up a good 25-30 feet...street lights turn off as I drive down the road because they think it's daytime again....lol.

So...the short version is if you have good projectors, you could probably get away with the 55w bulbs with good adjustment on your headlights, but 35w are still brighter then a halogen light and in most cases would be plenty. I wouldn't recommend 55w for fogs if you drive around with them on all the time or ever in traffic. I guarantee you will make enemies quickly.

After taxes this year, I may get a cheap 55w kit to put in my retro just to see how it handles it.

Hope that answered your question.

 

[dropmech]

Now that mine are working, the 35w is plenty bright for me. Much brighter than stock. I personally have no reason to go to 55w

 

[Rivieraracing]

Riviera: For general, everyday driving for most people, I think 55w is way overkill. Any kind of city driving, it's just not necessary. 35w low-beam HID's are still a hell of a lot brighter then any halogen lamp, and combine that with city lights and you just don't need more. I do a lot of dark, backwoods highway driving, so I like a LOT of light when I want it, but honestly I think in 95% of people's lives it'd be ridiculous.

I have 35w in my lows with the retro, but I think I could run the 55w bulbs in those. It's so focused I think I could keep from blinding people with the right adjustment. The fogs I don't drive with anytime there is traffic because it just throws light freakin' everywhere. You can actually make out the radius of the light from the reflector, and it shines up a good 25-30 feet...street lights turn off as I drive down the road because they think it's daytime again....lol.

So...the short version is if you have good projectors, you could probably get away with the 55w bulbs with good adjustment on your headlights, but 35w are still brighter then a halogen light and in most cases would be plenty. I wouldn't recommend 55w for fogs if you drive around with them on all the time or ever in traffic. I guarantee you will make enemies quickly.

After taxes this year, I may get a cheap 55w kit to put in my retro just to see how it handles it.

Hope that answered your question.

Yes it did, thank you!! Sounds like 35W are in my future for sure!!

---------- Post added at 09:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 AM ----------

So also, if all I want is the whitest white I can get out of a set, would you do the 4500's or the 5000's? I don't really want any blue or yellow at all if possible? I am going to do the 35W's if that makes a difference!

 

[AtomicHoe094]

i wonder what the hell bulb would fit for my fogs.. hahaha

 

[Redhoe01]

Please forgive my ignorance here but can you help me out with something. Can I just buy the bulbs and put them in or do I need all the ballances and new wiring? As you can tell, I know nothing about lighting/HIDs

 

[DenaliAK]

Yes it did, thank you!! Sounds like 35W are in my future for sure!!

---------- Post added at 09:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 AM ----------

So also, if all I want is the whitest white I can get out of a set, would you do the 4500's or the 5000's? I don't really want any blue or yellow at all if possible? I am going to do the 35W's if that makes a difference!

Short answer for you: 4300-4500 is the whitest and brightest.

To redhoe1: You have to have the ballasts. Just the bulbs won't work. HID's run at voltages that your vehicle can't produce without the ballasts in line.