HID conversion
#1
HID conversion uploaded pics of progress so far (56k beware of long load time)
I am in the process of doing an HID conversion to my car, with a metal reflector from an infinity. Got all the parts I need from the junkyard today (half off sale) including spare headlights and such. The thing I wanted to know is, when I am done with the mounting and placement of ballast, and the igniter. Should I just wire it to my stock wiring system?, or should I take the power directly from the battery with a relay to switch the lights on and off? any help would be appreciated.
Legal: This is a purely optional retrofit. Check state and local laws for legality concerning this. For OFF ROAD use only. I in no way am endorsing anyone else replicating this project. Do so AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Legal: This is a purely optional retrofit. Check state and local laws for legality concerning this. For OFF ROAD use only. I in no way am endorsing anyone else replicating this project. Do so AT YOUR OWN RISK.
#2
You will need a wiring harness. The stock wiring is not set up for that amount of current draw. Ballasts can sometimes draw upwards of 80 amps on start up. There is a lighting faq link in my sig, click on it and it will show you what the wiring harness should look like. Pretty simple if you have a little experience with wiring, like if you ever installed your own amps etc. If anything I have some parts coming in and will be making like 10 harnesses.
#5
The HIDs I have are the stock ones from an infiniti, so they are pretty bright( not in color temp, but in lumens it puts out). I am also going to see if I can fit the stock metal reflector from that same car into the stock housing of mine. I already have the maxima headlights I will modify (housing,brackets and all), just need to find the time to do it. Is it possible to use windshield caulk to reseal my headlights after I am done? I am going to leave them so I can aim the lights with my stock adjustment screws on the brackets. I will try to post pics of the process and a possible write-up with the info (if I can remember the specific details of model, year, etc) . I think I might try to switch to projectors to use with my HID system later, but only after I have them installed for a while.
#8
Originally Posted by maximase86
Just adding projectors isn't good enough in my opinion. Even with projectors, halogen just suck in general. I can say just doing HID's alone already outweighs halogen projectors.
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#11
I've actually yet to have a problem with that. I have a noticeable cutoff on the volvo...though not perfectly straight. They are D2R bulbs with the base machined for use in a 9006...so the arc sits in the most optimal spot. I've yet to have someone flash me/complain about light. But then again, the Volvo has superior housings (they were pretty good with halogen bulbs) compared to the 2nd or 3rd gens.
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#13
well on the subject of blinding people, it is well known to those that have had conversions done professionally that you have to make the cutoff a bit lower than you would a normal lighting situation. I am going to be using some stock infinity HID reflector, and I am in the process of buying an HID bulb shield that will make sure that most of my light hits the road and not straight ahead. BTW I am not converting to the blue-ish or purple HID system that BMWs have, I am switching to a stock 4300K (I think that is the correct kelvin bulb color temp) HID that is on infinities. Which makes it DOT legal and all. I am still contemplating going to projectors at a later date, but only after this conversion is done; and only if I there is a noticable problem with glare. There should be no major issue buying retrofit kits as long as you go for the ones that have the lower color temp. You should try to stay as close as possible to the stock color temp that most new cars have. Phillips is a good company to buy from, in fact the infinity ones that I bought are phillips. Now if I could only find the time to do it (college, work, etc)
#14
56k users beware
the conversion is coming close to finally being done. I have the reflectors in with the bulb shield;which was a hassle to put in. Tomorrow the electrician is going to wire up the HID system to my car. I will have pics up of the install soon after that.
here are some photos so far (56k beware)
here are some photos so far (56k beware)
#18
Sarin: i think it was from a 1998 infinity i35. I used only part of the reflector, and the stock HID bulb shield.
Big E Dog: The stock HID bulb shield that I am using forces the light downward by bouncing it downward and not letting it shine forward directly.
Big E Dog: The stock HID bulb shield that I am using forces the light downward by bouncing it downward and not letting it shine forward directly.
#20
surraTT: you have already done an HID upgrade?
Everyone else: The only problem that I have now is that they are facing in weird opposite directions. Which adjustment screw is the one to go up and down?(one closest to the grill?) and which one is to left to right?(one on top and closest to the fender?)
Everyone else: The only problem that I have now is that they are facing in weird opposite directions. Which adjustment screw is the one to go up and down?(one closest to the grill?) and which one is to left to right?(one on top and closest to the fender?)
#22
So the reflector portion appears to be covered. However it looks like you're trying to hybrid them with the existing reflector. Be careful of that. Next problem you will have is figuring out how the lense is going to scatter the light. It might cause the light to blob, so be warned.
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#25
yeah my next step is to get the projectors. I just need to find ones that can take a d2r retrofit well. With projectors, the HID light just scatters better. So far I only have a problem with the right side HID light output blobbing up a bit in 2 places. No problems with glare yet.
#26
2nd Gen Boostinator
iTrader: (14)
theyre are projectors that can take D2R fairl avaliable youre gonna have to chop up the light housing a bit take off the glass and replase it with a 1/4th inch acrylic sheet check out what i did cuz i have a feeling that you are gonna go the same route theyre are a lot og other ppl in the 4th gen and 5th gen forums that have done xenon(hid) retros it would be sufficent to pay the 20 dollars and search tho.
#28
Originally Posted by rogertight
Sarin: i think it was from a 1998 infinity i35. I used only part of the reflector, and the stock HID bulb shield.
Big E Dog: The stock HID bulb shield that I am using forces the light downward by bouncing it downward and not letting it shine forward directly.
Big E Dog: The stock HID bulb shield that I am using forces the light downward by bouncing it downward and not letting it shine forward directly.
#29
Originally Posted by rogertight
well on the subject of blinding people, it is well known to those that have had conversions done professionally that you have to make the cutoff a bit lower than you would a normal lighting situation. I am going to be using some stock infinity HID reflector, and I am in the process of buying an HID bulb shield that will make sure that most of my light hits the road and not straight ahead. BTW I am not converting to the blue-ish or purple HID system that BMWs have, I am switching to a stock 4300K (I think that is the correct kelvin bulb color temp) HID that is on infinities. Which makes it DOT legal and all. )
#30
most companies, including infinity have the option of using 4300K on the HID(at least this one did) The color can also be seen if you have regular reflectors as well, just that there isn't such a sharp contrast between when you see the color and the white light those put out. Most of the time when you have 8000K or 12000K HIDs on reflectors, the light will either have a slight bluish tint (8000K) or a violet tint (12000K) to it all of the time.
Sarin: yeah I heard that D2S bulbs are way better with projectors. Due to the fact that D2R have that heat resistant paint on a spot on the top to try and prevent glare issues. Until I can get D2S bulbs, though, I am stuck with the D2R bulbs I have. Guess it should have thought ahead and done the whole projector thing first And I heard that HID bulbs become highly explosive if handled wrong(body oils get on it,grime,etc), I hope I didn't leave fingerprints
Sarin: yeah I heard that D2S bulbs are way better with projectors. Due to the fact that D2R have that heat resistant paint on a spot on the top to try and prevent glare issues. Until I can get D2S bulbs, though, I am stuck with the D2R bulbs I have. Guess it should have thought ahead and done the whole projector thing first And I heard that HID bulbs become highly explosive if handled wrong(body oils get on it,grime,etc), I hope I didn't leave fingerprints
#32
No frying of any wires yet, luckily. My battery doesn't maintain its charge as well as it used to though. I seemed to have overlooked the fact that the HID system uses about 17amps when my old system used 10amps. Not only that, but I also have a 1100watt sub box in the trunk. Maybe I have done too much I am going to an alternator shop to get my alternator beefed up to handle the high drain that my car now has. Here come the high expenses It is all worth it though
#38
I think I will get the red top after I find some projectors to place on my car. Also, I am thinking that I am going to beef up the alternator anyways, so I may not need the redtop necessarily.
#40
I just bought some xenon projectors from e-bay. Still waiting for them to arrive. When they come I will have to do some fitting so I can see how they will look in my car. After that comes the buying of some D2S bulbs and then I am set . If all goes well the light output of the projectors will be a vast improvement to my hybridized reflectors. Also, Big E-Dog, if I can't find your post about the Projector conversion, I would appreciate it if you can post a link for it in this thread. Happy Holidays and a Happy new year to all