Fitting HID's

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:28 pm

I've got a set of HID's to fit to my car....

The actual wiring is very simple, but what I want to know is how have people modified the bulb holders to accept the HID bulb?

I had a look today and it baffled me a bit...

In hope of some help....

TIA,

Alan

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:30 pm

If you've got the correct H1 HID bulb it just fits straight in with a hole cut through the plastic cap for the wires and rubber grommet to the HID bulb.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:35 pm

So I drill through the part that screws on?

I'm a bit confused, because the 2 spade connectors on the HID harness should connect to the cars original wiring that's inside the screw on cap?

I thought it was simple anyway....lol

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:53 pm

Yes you need to drill a hole in the plastic cap (that you remove when changing the bulb) The spade connectors do fit to the connectors on the inside of the cap but it's better to remove them and solder them up properly and seal with a bit of heat shrink tubing.

It is straight forward honestly

What light output have you gone for? mine are 6000k soon to be changed for 4300k (whiter light)

Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:59 pm

It's been that long since I bought them I can't remember. I think they're 4800k.

I went for just slightly off OEM, but not too blue/purple......

Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:01 pm

As said you drill the hole in the middle of the cover like this.

I used this for drilling the hole.

And crimped on a spade connection on the earth wire.

Here is what the lights are like with them fitted.4300k fitted to high beam also.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:05 pm

Thanks for the advice.....

Where did you stow the ballasts? Behind the headlight cover?

Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:24 am

Some E30 headlamps seem to need a little relieving of the hole where the bulb slides in. The HID burners are very slightly greater in diameter than a H1 bulb.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:30 am

going a tiny bit off topic here.. Ive heard the HID's dont work in pre face lights can any one confirm this

Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:34 am

jbh wrote:going a tiny bit off topic here.. Ive heard the HID's dont work in pre face lights can any one confirm this

They 'work', but the beam control isn't good enough with the old type lights.
They will cause dazzle to approaching traffic and be very suspect for a MOT test.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:42 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
jbh wrote:going a tiny bit off topic here.. Ive heard the HID's dont work in pre face lights can any one confirm this
They 'work', but the beam control isn't good enough with the old type lights.
They will cause dazzle to approaching traffic and be very suspect for a MOT test.

cheers Brian.. might borrow a set at some point and see how they are. my lights have the cross hair ( i think thats the right phrase ) in them so hopefully this might help.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:29 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Some E30 headlamps seem to need a little relieving of the hole where the bulb slides in. The HID burners are very slightly greater in diameter than a H1 bulb.

I have heard this too, but it's not all lamps I don't believe....I hope mine are the ones that don't need it.....lol

Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:13 pm

blackcountrybimmerman wrote:Thanks for the advice.....

Where did you stow the ballasts? Behind the headlight cover?

I put the ballasts behind the cover.Just on the flat pannel below the headlight.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:15 pm

blackcountrybimmerman wrote:
I have heard this too, but it's not all lamps I don't believe....I hope mine are the ones that don't need it.....lol

Out of the six headlamps I have fitted HID's to, just one needed relieving.
I proved that it was the headlamp at fault by swapping bits around.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:23 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
blackcountrybimmerman wrote:
I have heard this too, but it's not all lamps I don't believe....I hope mine are the ones that don't need it.....lol
Out of the six headlamps I have fitted HID's to, just one needed relieving.
I proved that it was the headlamp at fault by swapping bits around.

So, there's a 17% chance of having to do a bit of reeming (sp).....

Well, I'll find out tomorrow evening, going to get them fitted.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:40 am

@alync205

Are they HID's fitted to your full beams too?

Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:59 am

Nay wrote:@alync205

Are they HID's fitted to your full beams too?

I'm thinking the same thing. I heard HID's shouldn't be used on full beams as they take a while to get going.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:10 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
jbh wrote:going a tiny bit off topic here.. Ive heard the HID's dont work in pre face lights can any one confirm this
They 'work', but the beam control isn't good enough with the old type lights.
They will cause dazzle to approaching traffic and be very suspect for a MOT test.

Hopefully, the above does,nt apply to the early
Bullseye type lamps . Or does it?.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:55 am

Bullseye lights are fine - exactly the same beam control as 'smileys'.
HID main beam lights use a mechanical shutter to dip the beam. The burner stays lit all of the time.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:07 pm

Nay wrote:@alync205

Are they HID's fitted to your full beams too?

Yes I have HID's in the full beams too.They work well there is some light on full beam.It does take them a while to brighten after been turned off for a while,if only dipped when meeting 1 or 2 cars together they are bright straight away.
I know there not really meant to be switched on and off much but they seem ok so far.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:03 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
blackcountrybimmerman wrote:
I have heard this too, but it's not all lamps I don't believe....I hope mine are the ones that don't need it.....lol
Out of the six headlamps I have fitted HID's to, just one needed relieving.
I proved that it was the headlamp at fault by swapping bits around.

One of mine was like that - a slight bit of filing sorted it out.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:08 pm

Well, would you believe it, both lights in mine need filing to allow the bulbs to fit......

I can't bloody believe it!!!!!

Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:46 am

alync205 wrote:
Nay wrote:@alync205

Are they HID's fitted to your full beams too?
Yes I have HID's in the full beams too.They work well there is some light on full beam.It does take them a while to brighten after been turned off for a while,if only dipped when meeting 1 or 2 cars together they are bright straight away.
I know there not really meant to be switched on and off much but they seem ok so far.

When I get round to fitting HID's, I might try that...

Although, I'd like to look into this 100w halogen bulbs or whatever it was...

Jersey does often require a lot of light flicking though, so fitting HID main's might not be the best idea.

Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:51 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
jbh wrote:going a tiny bit off topic here.. Ive heard the HID's dont work in pre face lights can any one confirm this
They 'work', but the beam control isn't good enough with the old type lights.
They will cause dazzle to approaching traffic and be very suspect for a MOT test.

Hmmm, is this why I never hear of people putting HIDs in e28s?

Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:37 pm

Nay wrote:Although, I'd like to look into this 100w halogen bulbs or whatever it was...

I don't think it is a good idea fitting higher wattage bulbs,such as 100w as they do normally melt the connection/wires.Some of the xenon effect bulbs might be a better idea,some of them work quite well,but some are expensive - nearly as much as HID's.

Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:43 pm

I am using HiD's in the dip and 100w H1's on main.
I did upgrade the wiring to the mains,though,following advice from Brian.

Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:36 pm

If you are going to fit 100W bulbs, you need to upgrade the wires from the fuses in the fusebox to the bulbs, and the wires from the bulbs to the earthing terminal on the LH inner wing, to at least 2.5mm squared, not only to avoid over heating the wires, but to avoid excessive voltage drop as well. A 100W bulb connected to the standard wiring will operate at well under 100W.