GoonzSVT and I have worked together to compile this HID FAQ for the Contour and Mystique.
Thank you to GoonzSVT for putting a lot of time into this FAQ!
The first post will be the basics regarding HIDs and some pictures for color reference.
The second post will be by GoonzSVT describing his custom HID setup.
FAQ: HID has been added to the Electronic Aesthetics Sticky
------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What is HID?
Answer:
HID stands for
High
Intensity
Discharge.
XENON HID lamps do not have a filament. Instead the light is created by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in an air tight tiny quartz capsule filled with xenon gas, mercury and metal halide salts. This improves durability as road vibrations can cause damage to coil lighting technologies. These light sources also produce a blue-white light that is safer because it is closer to natural daylight.
Question: Can't I just buy a higher watt bulb and get the same results?
Answer:
No, absolutely not. Increasing wattage increases the power drawn from your electrical system. Your stock wiring and fuses also have limitations - exceeding them with very high wattage bubls not intended to run with your stock setup can lead to problems.
Question: Can't I just buy a Xenon-gas filled bulb and get the same results?
Answer:
No. It's sometimes called a gimmick in the industry due to the fact that these bulbs actually produce little more light output than standard halogen bulbs.
Question: Are non-factory HIDs street legal?
Answer:
No, and almost all sites will have a disclaimer stating "for off-road / show use only".
Question: What do the different "k"s mean? 4100k, 4300k, etc.
Answer:
HID bulbs color temperature is measured in Kelvin (k). From a
slightly yellow, as the number increase, the more blue (or purple) the light becomes.
Question: So what "k" is brightest?
Answer:
Brightness is subjective based on what different people's eyes (brain) perceive the light to be. Brightness is measured in Lumens (lm). A 60-watt incandescent bulb produces ~830 lumens.
Q: What "k" kits are available?
Answer:
Reference: Halogen bulb = 1500-2000 Lumens & ~3000k
Reference: Sunlight at noon = 5000-5500k
4100k Phillips D2S bulb = 3500 Lumens
4100k Phillips D2R bulb = 3200 Lumens (due to the shield)
5000k McCulloch bulb = 3200 Lumens
6000k Phillips D2S bulb = 2800 Lumens
6000k Phillips D2R bulb = 2600 Lumens
8000k HID Bulb = 2500 Lumens
10000k HID Bulb = 2200 Lumens
12000k HID Bulb = 2100 Lumens
(thanks to cougar99)
The ones that are bold produce the max light as seen on this diagram:
(xenondepot.com)
Q: There are different types of bulbs available, which do I need?
Answer:
For a straight plug-and-play you want the 9006 kit. Using the kit that fits the OEM headlights is very common, but not recommended due to the amount of light scatter - creating glare and intense light in other drivers' eyes.
Q: So what bulb is better suited?
Answer:
See GoonzSVT's post below
Question: What about using HIDs with alarms that flash the headlights?
Answer:
General concensus is that flashing your HIDs, alarms flashing your HIDs, turning your HIDs on and off in short periods reduces bulb life and damages your ballast. According to research, turning HIDs on and off more than 3 times per hour reduces bulb life.
Question: What about using HIDs with DRLs?
Answer:
If low beams turn off when high beams turn on, this will reduce bulb life and damage your ballast. HIDs need a constant, steady stream of power. Even if low beams stay on with high beams, your are drawing power away from the HIDs.
Question: What about using HIDs with DRLs?
Answer:
DRLs have been known to cause problems with HIDs when they activate. HIDs need a constant, steady stream of power. When DRLs activate, they draw power away. This reduces bulb life and damages the ballast.
Question: How long do HID bulbs last?
Answer:
HID bulbs can last up tp 2,500 hours.
Q: So, what "k" kit do I need??
Answer:
It is personal preference. If you are serious about your light output and want the best light output, go with a 4100k - 5000k kit. If you want a
slightly yellow look - 4100k. If you want a pure white look - 5000k. The higher the k, the more blue to purple it gets - but the tradeoff is less light.
Q: Can I create my own HID kit?
Answer:
Yes, but it's not recommended because not all HID components by various manufacturers fit each other. You have to know what works with what before you create your own kit. If you want to create your own custom kit like GoonzSVT, do the research to understand what it takes.
Q: What brands do BMWs, Mecedes, Lexus, etc. use?
Answer:
Manuf - bulb / ballast
Audi - Phillips / Hella
BMW - Osram / 90% Hella & 10% Bosch
Lexus - Osram / Denso
Lincoln: Osram / Sylvania
Mercedes - Phillips / 90%+ Bosch ballasts
VW - Osram / Bosch
Q: What brands do you recommend?
Answer:
There are many brands available. The most popular by far is Phillips. McCulloch is readily available and being used more now.
Q: I've read a lot of bad things about McCulloch though...
Answer:
"McCulloch is considered to be the best HID kit in the industry (even with Philips). About 3 years ago many people started bootlegging the kit by making [censored] ballasts and bulbs and putting the "McCulloch" label on it. When thos kits started failing within one month of use, it started giving McCulloch a bad rep. Now since all that got cleaned up, McCulloch also started making their Generation 5 ballasts which are considered to be the best in the industry..." -
vendor (I know, it's a vendor...)
Q: Where can I buy full HID kits?
Answer:
Xenon Depot
XenonKing
Ebay
Question: What other mods are needed?
Answer:
Everything is pretty straight forward - instructions should be included with your kit explaining pre-installation prep and installation. Various "Generation"s will vary in size and need for ingnitors. Your installation kit may recommend upgrading a fuse or two which can be found at any local auto store.
Q: Ok, I'm ready to buy but still unsure of what "k" to get...
Answer:
= 5000k =
= 6000k =
= 8000k =
= 5000k =
**Note that you will NOT get a nice cutoff line like in the pic above with a standard 9006 plug and play kit. This vehicle used projectors.
= 4100k vs 6000k =
**Note that you will NOT get a nice cutoff line like in the pic above with a standard 9006 plug and play kit. This vehicle used projectors.
= 6000k vs 4300k =
**Note that you will NOT get a nice cutoff line like in the pic above with a standard 9006 plug and play kit. This vehicle used projectors.
= 4300k vs 7000k =
Q: I have additional questions unanswered in this very thorough FAQ, what should I do?
Answer:
1.
Search first
2. If you cannot find the answer, then post your question
3. PM GoonzSVT - I've appointed him resident HID goon
4.
Additional HID info
