Thread: HID Lights D2a

Originally Posted by banarcus

D2a have H7s, all four bulbs. I've fitted HIDs and they work a charm.

I think we have gone full circle - the HID are supposed to be illegal (in a D2a scenario at least), irrespective of how well they might work.

Yes I realise the D2a has 4 x separate H7 bulbs - I was wondering what if any alternative brightnesses might be available to what is fitted, or whether it is a completely different technology to just swapping to larger wattage bulbs as you would do for a normal light at home, or for the old fashioned headlights of my youth.

I get the feeling that there are "brighter" H7 bulbs available, but as yet have no idea what I am comparing with, so yes, looks like pulling my standard H7s apart to see what I can find out - without touching the actual bulbs of course.

If the retrofit meets the following requirements the HID kits are legal. While a d2 can potentially have meet of the requirements - headlight washers and possibly the self-leveling headlights on SLS equipped D2's, no-one seems to go to the trouble of fitting an appropriate reflector, resulting in the install not meeting ADR's.

This is taken from the RACQ website:

Aftermarket HID conversions
Aftermarket halogen to HID conversions are available however their use on a road registered vehicle will generally result in contravention of the relevant ADRs. Typically these ‘conversions’ comprise ballasts, wiring and HID globes that plug straight into the existing lamp.

Halogen lamps and their globes must comply with ADRs 46 and 51, while HID lamps and their globes must comply with a different set of requirements within ADRs 77 and 78. Interchanging globe types (such as putting HID globes into a lamp designed for a halogen globe) prevents continued compliance of the lamp/globe assembly.

In addition, ADR 13 requires that all vehicles fitted with headlamps (including HID) producing over 2,000 lumens (a measure of light output) have a self-levelling system and headlight washers. These simple retro conversions don’t provide these features and are therefore illegal for road use and are likely to be excessively glary to other road users.

If the vehicle manufacturer offered optional HID lights for a particular model then retrofitting the complete system including lamps, globes and the features required by ADR 13 to that model should be acceptable. But ‘grafting’ a full system between models or makes would impose performance certification requirements in the new application and is unlikely to be viable.

The standard Narva bulbs are now +30 (30% brighter than a standard halogen bulb). You can also get plus 50, plus 90 and plus 100. I tend to use plus 50, as they aren't too expensive and their life span is still good. I( use the standard white light bulb, rather than the blue, but apparently blue is better ??

With any of these bulbs, the life is a bit shorter, but the increase in light output is worth it. I use eziautoparts.com.au as an online store, but there are lots of others. Look under lighting, globes, performance globes. You can also get them cheaper from retail stores when they have 20% off sales.

Look up the detail of them at narva.com.au; btw, I understand that the Philips brand of H series bulbs are now also a plus bulb as standard (either a 20 or 30). All a lot confusing, isn't it????

Originally Posted by OffTrack

If the retrofit meets the following requirements the HID kits are legal. While a d2 can potentially have meet of the requirements - headlight washers and possibly the self-leveling headlights on SLS equipped D2's, no-one seems to go to the trouble of fitting an appropriate reflector, resulting in the install not meeting ADR's.

This is taken from the RACQ website:

The only thing is it is not properly policed. Gone are the days of random road side police roadworthy inspections etc. Do police drive around blind at night and not notice it, or it's it just a case of too hard basket, we have better things to do and less paperwork. I even wonder how these improper systems get away with the pink slips in NSW, or how a mechanic testing for roadworthy can pass them. Or do the users know they are doing wrong anbd removed them annually to pass their roadworthy and then refit them after to annoy other drivers?

Some people like to put bullbars on their Disco 2s that may affect their SRS airbag while others like to rip the catalytic converters from their vehicles. Others love to give their ride a 4" lift. A lot of mods that we do affect relevant Aussie design rules and I know that HIDs aren't everyone's cup of tea either. Mine work like a charm and I can see everything including the retinas of oncoming drivers

Originally Posted by banarcus

Some people like to put bullbars on their Disco 2s that may affect their SRS airbag while others like to rip the catalytic converters from their vehicles. Others love to give their ride a 4" lift. A lot of mods that we do affect relevant Aussie design rules and I know that HIDs aren't everyone's cup of tea either. Mine work like a charm and I can see everything including the retinas of oncoming drivers

I sort of agree here. I have HIDs fitted to both my Range Rovers & there seems to be good Chinese kits & not so good ones.

The set in the P38 are brilliant. The beam cut off is identical to the halogen globes (no adjustments done either) & the only visible difference is the much whiter light. The spot lights are still halogen & are now redundant with 4x HID globes in the headlights.

The set in my Classic are a 'not so good' set. The beam cut off is fine but the aim is way too high, even after adjusting full down. I needed to space the tops of the lights out to get a decent alignment.

I only use the 4300k sets. Blue lights do nothing for visibilty.



HIDs are like cruise control & armrests. Once you've had them, you can't go without .

Originally Posted by Scouse

I sort of agree here. I have HIDs fitted to both my Range Rovers & there seems to be good Chinese kits & not so good ones.

The set in the P38 are brilliant. The beam cut off is identical to the halogen globes (no adjustments done either) & the only visible difference is the much whiter light. The spot lights are still halogen & are now redundant with 4x HID globes in the headlights.

The set in my Classic are a 'not so good' set. The beam cut off is fine but the aim is way too high, even after adjusting full down. I needed to space the tops of the lights out to get a decent alignment.

I only use the 4300k sets. Blue lights do nothing for visibilty.



HIDs are like cruise control & armrests. Once you've had them, you can't go without .

Scott, do you recall where you got the P38's ones from by any chance?

It was from a seller by the name of 'powerlightings' but that was 3 1/2 years ago.

He's still around though:
powerlightings | eBay

I used 55w kits to avoid the bulb failure message.




**It's been a while since I looked at HID lights. They're now up to 100w.