HID conversion information.

Many Fs have poor headlamps because their reflectors need rechroming.. I tried uprated bulbs (Halfords Ultra Brilliance) to improve the lighting on mine when I first got it which improved matters slightly but rechromed reflectors made a bigger improvement.

I have a background with vehicle electrics and lighting as I used to work in that field, so I have a good working level of what is acceptable regards lighting and beam patterns etc. I have worked on vehicles ranging from Escorts, specialist emergency vehicles, tankers, airfield vehicles to tracked military stuff.

This might explain my ocd regarding the incorrect use of lights.

I have seen the F argument many times and it allways boils down to a fault of some sort, but the owner nearly always thinks of brighter bulbs or HIDs instead of actually looking at what the problem is. I know the F lights aren't the best in the world, but they must have been good enough to be passed for road use.

The common problems are misted reflector, misted lens, weak wiring or faulty lamps. Fitting HIDs would be my last choice in all of them.

cjj wrote: The common problems are misted reflector, misted lens, weak wiring or faulty lamps. Fitting HIDs would be my last choice in all of them.

Well you're certainly qualified to make a good argument for this case Clive and we all know that your points are sound. :yesnod:

However, there's always a 'however' isn't there. The problem is that the 'hids' nowadays are so cheap [strike]and nasty[/strike] and easy to fit yourself that it makes it an easier 'first choice' option than your more appropriate suggestions.

Passing the mot with them on is a bonus that is easily achieved with the 4300k lights and the law doesn't tend to bother you about them if they're not blinding others.

I do acknowledge that you're right in what you say though. :yesnod:

Leigh Ping wrote:

cjj wrote: In the interest of fairness, if you do know of official and legal documents that say you are allowed to fit HIDs then please post them up

V5.

Oh.. and the V5. It's the owners document.

midlife martyr wrote: I got fed up with other drivers not being able to tell when I flashed them to indicate I was giving way

That makes it yet another benefit FOR HID. I don't have time at the moment to ascend my soap box, but suffice to say that if I had MY way, the use of headlamp flashing would be made an offense punishable by death. It is is one of the most dangerous practices on the road. I speak as a driver of motorcycles as well as cars. Maybe if I get bored over the break I may go on and on and on about it. :yesnod:

midlife martyr wrote: I got fed up with other drivers not being able to tell when I flashed them to indicate I was giving way

I know we've a done it but I'm sure its forbidden in the highway code. At least, if you do it on your driving test now its an instant failure, its the driver / pedestrian waiting to manouver's decision to make the call when its safe to do so, not yours. Ultimately if you beckoned a driver to pull out and they got shunted, its his insurance that pays not yours.

Unless it has changed recently the headlight flash is just to warn other road users of your presence

Or for dogging purposes.

I have never taken a head light flash to mean it is safe to carry on all it is is an indication that another driver is PROBABLY giving way but you should still proceed with caution it is not a perfect system but in certain situations for instance parked cars on both sides of a narrow road for a hundred yards where there is no clear priority can any of you that have quoted the highway code suggest a better idea ?

Where motorbikes are concerned I tend to ignore a headlight flash as I cant tell if there flashing or the road is rough the same applies to cars with Hids or drivers who just give there main beam a quick flick I only act if there are at least two clear flashes
Most of the highway code was written in another era and whilst it is mostly still relevant there are situations where you have to use your own judgement

AJL Electronics wrote: if I had MY way, the use of headlamp flashing would be made an offense punishable by death.

I feel the same about people who fit HIDs into standard reflectors and think they have the right to blind me and put me at risk so that they can see 'better'.

nick wrote:

midlife martyr wrote: if I had MY way, the use of headlamp flashing would be made an offense punishable by death.

I feel the same about people who fit HIDs into standard reflectors and think they have the right to blind me and put me at risk so that they can see 'better'.

I did not write that :nonod:



(Indeed, it was AJL Electronics who wrote that, so I have corrected the original post by Nick!:broon:)

The problem I experience with HIDs is that they are so bright that at night on roads with an uneven or undulating surface, an oncoming car can appear to be flashing main beam on and off at you. This is most disconcerting as I interpret the headlamp flashing of approaching vehicles as a warning of upcoming danger.

The auto levelling systems can not cope with poor roads like this, of which we have a lot. Motorways and main A roads are probably smooth enough for the system to work, but try driving down a minor country road with one of these HID equipped cars approaching you! That is a problem with factory fitted systems.

Now imagine the same scenario with a car fitted with after-market HID kits with no self levelling and no properly designed reflectors! NIGHTMARE.

This is further complicated by the fact that around us are a lot of single track roads with passing places. The flashing of headlights is a locally accepted sign that you are pulling into a passing place to allow the approaching vehicle to pass.
If instead the flashing of the oncoming car is merely the HID system being unable to cope with the uneven surface and you have a recipe for disaster.

midlife martyr wrote:

nick wrote:

midlife martyr wrote: if I had MY way, the use of headlamp flashing would be made an offense punishable by death.

I feel the same about people who fit HIDs into standard reflectors and think they have the right to blind me and put me at risk so that they can see 'better'.

I did not write that :nonod:



(Indeed, it was AJL Electronics who wrote that, so I have corrected the original post by Nick!:broon:)

oops sorry, I deleted the wrong bits, must get to grips with quotes within quotes! soz