Input on HIR vs HID decisions

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sonk76

sonk76

10 Year 15 Year
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Philadelphia, PA
So my DDM HID finally gave out after 1.5 yrs of good service. It was the 55W 5000k version, and I was generally quite pleased with it. They were very bright, though in rainy conditions I did not feel like they worked all too well.

I believe of the ballasts gave up the ghost, and I know that I could probably get relief through the life-time warranty that is offered.

That said, I'm now debating between going to:

A) Replace the ballast, and change bulbs to 3000k versions of the HID in hopes of better poor weather performance
B) Find some H1 HIR bulbs (any thoughts on where to find these?)
C) Stick with the factory H1 bulbs I've now put back in place for the time being.

Also, in case I go with B or C, any thoughts on how to best cover up the holes what had to be drilled in backs of the light bulb covers for the HID install?

:cheers:

p.s., I will say that driving around at night in non-rainy conditions with the factory H1 bulbs, after having had the HIDs on for a long time, feels a little underwhelming. It's not that I can't see the road, but I find myself waiting for the DRL's to turn off and my headlights to turn on...
 
Replace ballast and move to 4300K.

No matter what type bulb, they will all suck in the rain. The only improvement is to retro fit a different projector or clear lens the LX's headlights. You currently have a "fresnal" lense, which is not clear. If someone has the lens diameter I could see if I have any that would be a direct fit. It looks like a 2.5" lens. Maybe Hoser knows since he retro'd I think.
 
Go HIR's. Here is one place to get the high beam ones. Just put a couple of dabs of FIPG on the holes you drilled.

HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs

I am still looking for the bookmark with the H1 source.

HTH
 
CappyKD said:
Go HIR's. Here is one place to get the high beam ones. Just put a couple of dabs of FIPG on the holes you drilled.

HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs

I am still looking for the bookmark with the H1 source.

HTH
Click to expand...


Not trying to start a debate here but give me 3 good reasons why I would put a HIR in a projector over a HID? just curios on what you think vs mine. Since I play with projectors and HID's all day that's all I know and all I will drive with at night.

The LX is one of the few projectors that has a excellent light pattern with a HID. With a little tweaking of the sheild and lens it could be a excellent projector.
 
2000UZJ said:
Not trying to start a debate here but give me 3 good reasons why I would put a HIR in a projector over a HID? just curios on what you think vs mine. Since I play with projectors and HID's all day that's all I know and all I will drive with at night.

The LX is one of the few projectors that has a excellent light pattern with a HID. With a little tweaking of the sheild and lens it could be a excellent projector.
Click to expand...

Nor do I want to debate.

Off the top of my head:

1 Not cutting holes in your covers.
2 No tweaking of the shield or lens to get a perfect pattern
3 No Ballasts to fail making it cheap and easy to carry a spare bulb in the glovebox.

It's a matter of personal opinion, I have run HID kits on other vehicles in the past, both with and without retrofits, all in all the projectors in my LX's lows and fogs do a great job with a simple bulb upgrade. I'm not saying HIDs aren't brighter.
 
CappyKD said:
Nor do I want to debate.

Off the top of my head:

1 Not cutting holes in your covers.
2 No tweaking of the shield or lens to get a perfect pattern
3 No Ballasts to fail making it cheap and easy to carry a spare bulb in the glovebox.

It's a matter of personal opinion, I have run HID kits on other vehicles in the past, both with and without retrofits, all in all the projectors in my LX's lows and fogs do a great job with a simple bulb upgrade. I'm not saying HIDs aren't brighter.
Click to expand...

Good points. The amount of things on a retro fit or a PnP HID kit that can fail are much higher.
 
Do the ballasts, you have had HIDs and unless you do the full conversion nothing else will compare. I did the 35w 5000k lights in the fogs and low beams...the fogs are awesome and the lows are way better than stock.

You may want to unplug your ballasts and try plugging them back in, that may do the trick.
 
There is no true HIR bulb in an H1. If you want more than the 1550 lumens put out by the H1 bulb, the only option for an incandescent lamp is to go to a 100watt bulb @ 2500 lumens which will require you upgrade the harness. Also, you run the risk of damaging the lamp housings with the extra heat if they are plastic.
 
cary said:
There is no true HIR bulb in an H1. If you want more than the 1550 lumens put out by the H1 bulb, the only option for an incandescent lamp is to go to a 100watt bulb @ 2500 lumens which will require you upgrade the harness. Also, you run the risk of damaging the lamp housings with the extra heat if they are plastic.[/QUOTE


BLITZ Automotive Lighting :: Sigma Automotive
Click to expand...
 
In my 4+ years of playing around with aftermarket plug and play HID kits, I've found the ballasts to be somewhat of a disposable item. No matter how thoroughly I secure the ballast, moisture has always managed to creep in and ruin the unit. Luckily prices have dropped considerably so I just buy a new one whenever that happens. Your ballasts lasting 1.5 years sounds about right in my book.
 
+1 on sticking with HID. I'd move to a 4300k bulb as opposed to something in the 3000-3500k range. That would be more yellow than regular halogen, and won't do much to improve wet weather performance. I'm running 4300k and have been very impressed with the vast amount of light they put out at that color temp.
 
It amazes me that these ballest last only 1.5 years... The OEM HID in my Audi is 9 years old and never a hiccup - ballest, bulb or otherwise in 150k miles.

To others that might read this: The OP has an LX so I would certainly consider keeping the HID setup. As mentioned the LX projectors work well. In an LC with stock headlamps, go HIR. The right way to go HID in an LC is to retrofit Morimoto projectors for the HID. If you simply install HID bulbs the backscatter on the stock reflector is crap.
 
1. HIR great clear output with very little work or investment.


You should contact somebody at HIDPlanet on changing your lens for your projector. You could also order Denso balasts, and Phillips bulbs.
 
RobRed said:
It amazes me that these ballest last only 1.5 years... The OEM HID in my Audi is 9 years old and never a hiccup - ballest, bulb or otherwise in 150k miles.
Click to expand...

These ballasts are under $40 (prolly less due to profit at DDM) and made in China. Your Audi ballasts are likely Bosch and much higher quality (and way more expensive).

I've sworn that I'll just go back to regular bulbs when one of my DDM's die. I know they're cheap and don't have much expectation for them. I can't swing the $ for the retrofit. With regular bulbs I at least know I can get a new bulb at Wal-Mart if need be.
 
I think you will be surprised that DDM has roughly $9 in a HID ballast and less on bulbs, probably $2-4 on a wiring harness. A OEM system from a LS460 costs upwards of 8K. I wouldn't be shocked if the aftermarket stuff pooped out quick. I've seen how they are made, we have stress tested lots of OEM and aftermarket. OEM cannot take the abuse of a aftermarket but they are much quicker at warming up, 90% of OEM systems are not waterproof and housed internally. I run full OEM denso ballasts ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) and it's quite clear why they are superior. Also run a very rare bulb, fat tube style.
 
CappyKD said:
cary said:
There is no true HIR bulb in an H1. If you want more than the 1550 lumens put out by the H1 bulb, the only option for an incandescent lamp is to go to a 100watt bulb @ 2500 lumens which will require you upgrade the harness. Also, you run the risk of damaging the lamp housings with the extra heat if they are plastic.[/QUOTE


BLITZ Automotive Lighting :: Sigma Automotive
Click to expand...

hundred twenty dollar make you hollar! wow, dem some spensive bulbs!
Click to expand...
 
RobRed said:
It amazes me that these ballest last only 1.5 years... The OEM HID in my Audi is 9 years old and never a hiccup - ballest, bulb or otherwise in 150k miles.
Click to expand...

I wonder how many rivers the Audi drove through in those 9 years ;)

All kidding aside, I agree with you that the 1.5 years is a bit underwhelming relative to my experience in road cars. But I suppose I can be a bit more forgiving given the experience that these lights have lived through. I do think that the OEM or HIR solutions might be more reliable.

After driving home at night today, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to order another HID kit from DDM (can't buy just the ballasts.) I went with the 4500k 55W (again.) I purchased the 3000k bulbs as well, but do think that they are a bit too yellow for regular lights.

Thanks for all the input folks!

:cheers:
 
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