The skinny on HID headlights

[SlugSlinger]

Been thinking about putting a set of HID's in my F250. Had them in my silverado and really liked them.

All you LEO's - I've heard both that they are legal, and that they are not. which is it? I'm not talking the deep blues or purples or some other color. I'm talking a simple, white lamp.

bettingpython nailed it. This is a very good source of information.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

 

[beast1989]

My new mustang has them from the factory and I have a love/hate opinion on them. I love the level of brightness when driving at night. The down side is that I get hit with bright lights from at least 8 out of 10 cars that pass at night. The only part that bugs me about that is, I know some night some jackass is going to throw something out the window as they pass because they think I'm bright lighting them.

Sounds like you are aware of a problem that needs to be corrected.

 

[vvvvvvv]

So... what are the green ones on some OHP cars?

 

[PBramble]

According to what pbamble post it was just one companies conversion that wasn't up to par

that's not the case. all conversions are illegal. you are allowed to install HID headlights, but not convert non-HID housings to HID lighting.

from SEMA:
NHTSA has concluded that it is impossible to produce HID conversion kits (converting a halogen system to HID) that would be compliant with the federal lighting standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. The noncompliant kits frequently include an HID bulb, ballast, igniter, relay and wiring harness adapters. NHTSA believes this equipment presents a safety risk to the public since the kits can be expected to produce excessive glare to oncoming motorists. In one investigation, NHTSA found that an HID conversion headlamp exceeded the maximum allowable candlepower by over 800 percent.

 

[Danny Tanner]

These are DOT-approved drop in replacement LED bulbs designed to work with your factory housing: http://www.lifetimeledlights.com/Headlights_c_16.html

HID style lighting that are legal and don't over-spread their beams causing an inconsiderate distraction for other drivers.

 

[Lurkerinthewoods]

Sounds like you are aware of a problem that needs to be corrected.

Already taken it back to the dealer and they put some gadget on it and the headlights are in perfect alignment.

The beam hits about even with the front bumper of incoming vehicles and you can clearly see the cutoff line. Not much else I can do.

 

[JonDough]

So... what are the green ones on some OHP cars?

That's g-14 classified...

LOL : )

 

[aviator41]

These are DOT-approved drop in replacement LED bulbs designed to work with your factory housing: http://www.lifetimeledlights.com/Headlights_c_16.html

HID style lighting that are legal and don't over-spread their beams causing an inconsiderate distraction for other drivers.

Thank you for this, Danny. This may be the answer I'm looking for.

 

[nofearfactor]

Ya, it is important that you aim them just right, but when you do they rarely bother people. I was having people flashing brights at me here and there til I took the time to get them right now hardly anyone one ever does.

 

[Gabriel42]

This is representative of the desired cutoff. If the LED option doesn't produce a cutoff extremely similar to this, you are doing your fellow drivers a huge disservice.

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