legal hi/low beam hid

No, they are not superb, but a stray halogen is no where near as intrusive as stray HID, it’s so much brighter – controlled it’s no issue, that’s why there is strict legislation.

That Video just adds to my point - How many HID conversions are done in the manner shown? (which I’ll add is great and would attract no complaints) He achieves a factory quality cutoff because he has installed the projector tube and lens designed for the HID globe. Show one of the cheap Chinese H4 conversions that every one is doing. – And yes, I passed a p38a last night with a crap conversion, just north of Gympie that had over glare illuminating the roof of my truck - there is also an L322 near me with a conversion that does the same - stopped at the lights beside him a while back, it iluminates all the headrests in the car infront and he probably thinks its cool.

That projector conversion with no levelling would be exponentially better than a H4 or H7 HID shoved in a halogen fitting – which is what everyone is doing.

And for what it’s worth, factory HID lights have self levelling lights, not just suspension. Give the rangie a boot full from an intersection and the nose rises – the lights continually adjust so they don’t.

This is not a grey area - It is an illegal conversion, the article linked to by the OP is rubbish (check state authorities), for starters, head lights must have ADR approval stamps and fitted with approved globes, rarely will anyone get booked, but expect some questions if you’re in an accident, especially if another party complains.

* 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.
* 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.

Well said Harlie

Don't do it, that's what I say. There's nothing more hated on the roads than towering 4wds blinding you with crappy lights (there lights are at the eye heigh of a lot of car drivers). Do whatever you like with high beam (as it should be dipped if there is on-coming traffic) but not low beams. Even if the cuttoff is perfect.... How often do you see even cars with factory HID's "Blasting" you with intense light as they go over bumps.

Low beam is only ever going to light up a tiny area infront of the car. It's matters little how bright that patch of ground is, as you should be trying to scope into the distance either way. If your staring at that tiny patch of light infront of the car, your going to hit anything that suddenly "appears" it in either way.

Don't get me started on the morons that drive everywhere with fashion ... er, I mean "fog" lights on. Especially the super extra bright crappy aftermarket foglights, poorly aligned on wet roads (obviously when it's not foggy).

All my cars self level ... I have no intention of ever putting HID's in them though :)

seeya,
Shane L.

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Don't get me started on the morons that drive everywhere with fashion ... er, I mean "fog" lights on.

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i drive around with my factory fitted fog lights on. studies have shown its gives you a greater chance of being seen.

its why its now mandate in europe that headlights on all the time, and in aust, on motorbikes, they must be on all the time.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

i drive around with my factory fitted fog lights on.

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Is illegal in all states to drive with them on in good weather - unfortunately many blind other drivers as well as misaligned HIDs do.

If you want to be seen just drive with your lights on low beam or get proper DRLs.

Garry

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Is illegal in all states to drive with them on in good weather - unfortunately many blind other drivers as well as misaligned HIDs do.

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i realise this but i consider my safety above the law. it doesnt blind drivers.

same with the HID's in my 200sx, illegal yes, blinding no (i got an alignment check to make sure). the more people can see and avoid me, the better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eevo

i realise this but i consider my safety above the law. it doesnt blind drivers.

same with the HID's in my 200sx, illegal yes, blinding no (i got an alignment check to make sure). the more people can see and avoid me, the better.

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Just use low beam, it doesn't dazzle. The idea of a fog light is to throw a very bright light just under the nose of the car.... They will make a very "bright" patch on the road, but do bugger all for aiding you ability to see (unless your crawling along at < 15km/h in fog so thick you can't see the end of the bonnet. Even then on a 4wd they'll be bloody near useless as they'll be mounted far to high off the ground. There a reason why the foglights are always broken on my cars ... By design there pretty much the lowest point at the front of the car :( ).

Low beam is much more effective for allowing others to see you.... Much better than fashion lights. Has anyone noticed how many morons drive around these days with one blown fashion light and one blown lowbeam :o It's like there that stupid they don't know they have:
a) foglights on ... one of which is blown
b) headlight out.

I really do see absolutely no point in trying to make low beam "really bright". Unless your travelling at less than 20km/h it's unlikely you'll stop if you "see" something due to the brighter light either way :cool:

If low beam seams really bad, a good first check would be the voltage at your globes (do the P38's have headlight relays ?) and the globes earth points. You can get a spectacular increase in light by fitting relays if there isn't close too 14volts at the lights with the engine running.

seyea,
Shane L.

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Just use low beam, it doesn't dazzle. The idea of a fog light is to throw a very bright light just under the nose of the car.... They will make a very "bright" patch on the road, but do bugger all for aiding you ability to see

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i use them in addition to low beam.
its not about my ability to see the road. its about people seeing me!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eevo

i use them in addition to low beam.
its not about my ability to see the road. its about people seeing me!

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I can understand that ..... bloody huge 4wds are really hard to see.... I think you should fit some strobe light too :Rolling: :Rolling: :Rolling:

I'm always worried when I'm hurtling down the road in my bright red Rangie that no-one will see me ..................... :twisted: .............. Oh hang on..... Imagine how terrified I am when I'm driving the Citroen 2cv that no-one will see me ... or worse a motorbike :wasntme:

seeya,
Shane L.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I can understand that ..... bloody huge 4wds are really hard to see.... I think you should fit some strobe light too :Rolling: :Rolling: :Rolling:

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i dont have HIV's in my 4wd yet.

strobe light.... i like that idea.
what about rotating red and blue ones? that will get me noticed?