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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> HID conversion advice
        
(Message started by: Scorpio_Mike on Oct 15^th, 2008, 3:59pm)

Title: HID conversion advice
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Oct 15^th, 2008, 3:59pm

Thinking about doing an HID conversion on my Scorpio - found some kits on ebay from the far east, only £35 inc. shipping which seems quite reasonable.

I think the main and dipped beam are both H1 bulbs - so does that mean I would need 2 kits to do the 4 bulbs ?

I think the foglights are H3 bulbs - anyone done those as well ?

Thanks.

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by Matt on Oct 15^th, 2008, 6:04pm

you are correct with the bulbs

you'd only really need the dip beams, once you have cleaned the lense the light output will be much greater, ive got a 6000k temp kit on mine and havnt needed to use the mains since

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by tlundkvi on Oct 16^th, 2008, 8:06pm

But not street legal? I mean, are the scorpio headlights really rated for HID? Don't know the rules in UK, but at least in Finland the bulb type must match the headlight.

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by pinto on Oct 16^th, 2008, 9:20pm

HID conversions are fine - and the projector type headlights of the scorp lend themselves well to it.

There are regulations on the headlights being leveling and having washers, but these dont apply to after-market conversions, only OEM - and besides, both features are either fitted already (ultimas) or can be fitted easily enough :)

I plan to convert mine when i have spare pennies

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by Savvy on Oct 17^th, 2008, 9:21am

just fitted hid's again to my cossie. had them on my 2.3 as well. i recommend the UK chap on ebay selling them for 50 plus 10 delivery. he has very good ballasts indeed which makes an awful lot of difference to the kit.
ive bought many sets before but these ones are great. ballasts are very quiet and lights are instant on pretty much, unlike cheaper kits where the ballasts take ages to start properly.

also on the legality side of things they are technically illegal even for aftermarket retro fitments. however the law on retro fitment is widely unknown and not understood by general plod or even MoT stations so goes un noticed.
i have a letter from DoT somewhere that explains the legal stance on retro fit HIDs i'll dig it out if i can!

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Dec 9^th, 2008, 8:17pm

Got the name of that ebay seller ?

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by - Mike - on Dec 11^th, 2008, 6:52am

on 10/17/08 at 09:21:35, Savvy wrote:

i have a letter from DoT somewhere that explains the legal stance on retro fit HIDs i'll dig it out if i can!

Please do!
I too was told that it was illegal to have them without automatic self levelling and headlamp washers. Therefore I never bothered.

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Dec 11^th, 2008, 1:27pm

Well, I just found this and it would appear that retro-fitting HID kits is NOT legal :o :

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Title: Re: HID conversion advice
Post by - Mike - on Dec 11^th, 2008, 6:34pm

Thanks for the quick reply.

Thought as much, never mind.