How do you determine if HID bulbs need replacing?
#1
How do you determine if HID bulbs need replacing?
From what i've gathered so far, the lights should start glowing pink, yellow or reddish when it's almost out.
However, would the light output also go down with age? I know from new to break-in, the temp changes from the 4300k (OEM) to right about 5000k after a while, but what about lumens?
My bulbs have about 2,800 hours on them and although they are still whitish, it just doesn't seem as bright as i remember. And driving down the road, competing vehicles with reflector-based HID's just seem brighter.
Thanks.
However, would the light output also go down with age? I know from new to break-in, the temp changes from the 4300k (OEM) to right about 5000k after a while, but what about lumens?
My bulbs have about 2,800 hours on them and although they are still whitish, it just doesn't seem as bright as i remember. And driving down the road, competing vehicles with reflector-based HID's just seem brighter.
Thanks.
#4
If it "appears" as if the light output is less. Make sure your headlights are clear. Plastic headlights are Notorious for the yellow-ish haze on them from road grime ans sunlight. I thought mine were clear too... untill a small fender bender forced the insurance company to replace one... Very noticable, New vs. Old in clarity...
#5
Thanks guys. I originally attributed the drop in output to the pitted lens. But even after i wet sanded and polished it, the light was the same.
I don't mind replacing the bulbs, but i just want to make sure that's what it is. Without having a "newer" 5.5 gen to compare light output to i don't know if it's really just dim or most new cars with reflector HID's just have it brighter.
I don't mind replacing the bulbs, but i just want to make sure that's what it is. Without having a "newer" 5.5 gen to compare light output to i don't know if it's really just dim or most new cars with reflector HID's just have it brighter.
#8
Also remember if you are trying to acheive the brightness/output you see from a high-end BMW or even TSX with Projectors... you will always come up short...
Projectors are able to use a Brighter bulb and still not be too white or blind oncoming traffic because the Projector Bends the light so it appears more blue and brighter.
Projectors are able to use a Brighter bulb and still not be too white or blind oncoming traffic because the Projector Bends the light so it appears more blue and brighter.
#9
Also remember if you are trying to acheive the brightness/output you see from a high-end BMW or even TSX with Projectors... you will always come up short...
Projectors are able to use a Brighter bulb and still not be too white or blind oncoming traffic because the Projector Bends the light so it appears more blue and brighter.
Projectors are able to use a Brighter bulb and still not be too white or blind oncoming traffic because the Projector Bends the light so it appears more blue and brighter.
A projector based HID system found in OEM applications i.e. BMW, MB...etc uses the same 35W HID system found in our 02+ Maximas. They have better light output because a projector is more efficient at outputting the light as opposed to a reflector HID headlight which is just a big mirror.
The color you see is from the cutoff, which is the byproduct of the cutoff shield inside the projector.
#10
OK, let's rephrase this shall we?
A projector based HID system found in OEM applications i.e. BMW, MB...etc uses the same 35W HID system found in our 02+ Maximas. They have better light output because a projector is more efficient at outputting the light as opposed to a reflector HID headlight which is just a big mirror.
The color you see is from the cutoff, which is the byproduct of the cutoff shield inside the projector.
A projector based HID system found in OEM applications i.e. BMW, MB...etc uses the same 35W HID system found in our 02+ Maximas. They have better light output because a projector is more efficient at outputting the light as opposed to a reflector HID headlight which is just a big mirror.
The color you see is from the cutoff, which is the byproduct of the cutoff shield inside the projector.
Yeah... that is what i said...
you just made it sound a little clearer
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#11
Also keep an eye out for the bulb itself color-shifting... One may be a different color then the other, or they loose the (slight) blue-ish "daylight" to them. Another sign to replace 'em.
#12
#13
at 1500 hours a HID a D2S/D2R bulb has 75% lumen maintenance, at 2800hrs your probably closer to 50%, since they are rated for a 3000hrs service life sounds like you need some need bulbs.........come to think of it I need some new ones as well
#16
Those are good numbers to go by. Are these applicable to any type of bulb or light type (Xenon, Halogen, etc), or just the OEM HID's?
#17
#19
#21
When turning my lights on at night, you get the fade-on which looks cool but my left one seems to be fading on slower recently, fading from a conventional style headlight to the "white".
Clarity of the lense is surely different compared to a new headlight. My R side was new over the summer after hitting a deer and the new one looked awesome!
Clarity of the lense is surely different compared to a new headlight. My R side was new over the summer after hitting a deer and the new one looked awesome!
#23
or even years... 5 10, I know all are different but life of the car is way to broad and service life...isnt agreat benchmark
#24
I think he meant the service life of the bulb itself. Miles or years won't work as you could be driving 300k miles or 30 years and never turn the bulb on. So 3000hrs of bulb life sounds like a better way to determine the service life.
Unless of course i completely misunderstood your comments, sorry if i did
Unless of course i completely misunderstood your comments, sorry if i did
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#30
the ultinon's are 6000k gives off white with slight purple hue to it.
Scottwax: if you need replacement hid bulbs you can search ebay for them. i bought mine there and they're oem ones. cheaper than from dealer. if you get replacement bulbs you might want to find 85122+ those are 5000k so it'll match the older bulbs more.
Scottwax: if you need replacement hid bulbs you can search ebay for them. i bought mine there and they're oem ones. cheaper than from dealer. if you get replacement bulbs you might want to find 85122+ those are 5000k so it'll match the older bulbs more.
#31
Not true. Since the newer Maxima's have a projector, they use a D2S bulbs. 02/03 Maxima's have reflector HID's and use D2R bulbs. All HID-equipped Maxima's have the same color temperature bulb, 4300K-ish. What's causing the color change is you seeing the cutoff of the projector, where the color shifts.
#32
Not true. Since the newer Maxima's have a projector, they use a D2S bulbs. 02/03 Maxima's have reflector HID's and use D2R bulbs. All HID-equipped Maxima's have the same color temperature bulb, 4300K-ish. What's causing the color change is you seeing the cutoff of the projector, where the color shifts.
#33
Not true. Since the newer Maxima's have a projector, they use a D2S bulbs. 02/03 Maxima's have reflector HID's and use D2R bulbs. All HID-equipped Maxima's have the same color temperature bulb, 4300K-ish. What's causing the color change is you seeing the cutoff of the projector, where the color shifts.
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#34
#35
![headbang](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/headbang.gif)
#37
#39
You have to take off the round plastic cap and the bulb is in there. Just go look at it, it's easy to do.
#40