Comparing different HID systems

[Maize]

As many of you know....I have done equipment comparisons in the past. I have done dyno runs with different pipes, different coatings on pipes, BB kits, etc.

I decided to do a comparison of available HID conversion kits.

The first kit I did was a HID LO beam, Halogen HI beam. The conversion is pretty straight forward. I did find that if you have E-Start you may need the relay kit to go with them. The starter and then switching over the to stator system (on some models) causes the safety over-ride to shut the ballast down. The relay kit does not use the power from headlight bulb connector, it connects directly to the battery.

This first kit I bought off ebay. I purposely bought the cheapest kit I could find. It cost me $34.99 w/free shipping to my house. The relay harness I could have bought for $7.95, but it would have been shipped from China. I found a kit for $9.99 w/free shipping from California.

Here is the install of that kit:

Here is the stuff as shipped:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9251/hid1.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3451/hid2.jpg

Here are the ballasts mounted to the brace/tool holder I made:

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2983/hid3n.jpg

Here is the bulb installed in the headlight. I had to slightly file down the housing a bit. The kit I have is a Hi/Lo kit. The low beam is HID, the high beam is a regular halogen. I opted for this kit as it was only $35 shipped to my house. I wanted to see how the cheapest kit would perform. I may eventually upgrade to the telescopic unit for $96. Then both Hi/Lo beams will both be HID.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7558/hid4.jpg

[Maize]

Here is the wiring involved with a HID conversion set-up:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3993/hid5.jpg

Here is the final assembly, and the LO beams on:

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6235/hid6.jpg

Here is the HI beam with the halogen bulb:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5806/hid15.jpg

[Maize]

Here is the second kit I am going to test out.

This is also a HI/LO kit, but it is all HID. The LO beam had the HID bulb in one position, and on HI it has a motor that pulls the bulb in.

The kit comes with the 2 ballasts, 2 bulbs, and the harness for the motor operation. This kit will not need the relay as you hook it directly to the battery. The motor relay changes the bulbs from HI to LO from a signal from the headlight connector.

This kit was a bit more money, but still very cheap considering what you get. I got it off ebay for $61.99 shipped to my house.

Here is how the kit comes, and what comes in the kit:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1158/hid1a.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3451/hid2.jpg

Here is the bulb that comes in the kit. You can see the motor assembly on the bottom of the bulb.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3691/hid3.jpg

Here is the harness for the HI/LO. It supplies the power to ballasts and has an extra outlet for the motor. The relay reverses the pole and makes the motor go in and out.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7558/hid4.jpg

I will be removing the other set up this afternoon and installing this new kit.

[Maize]

Even with the relay installed on the battery, the signal voltage flucuates and sometimes activates the safety shut-off. I am working on a different type of relay setup to try to eliminate that issue. I will have to think on that and get back with everyone.

Here is the install of the HI/LO system.

This is the bulb as it comes packed:

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3993/hid5.jpg

The bottom comes off the bulb cover by twisting it to release the cage.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6235/hid6.jpg

This allows you to install the retainer on the bulb:

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4056/hid7.jpg

Once the retainer is back in place, simple twist it back to lock it in place:

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7756/hid8.jpg

[Maize]

Once the retainer is installed, the bulb installs the same way a regular bulb installs:

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9846/hid10.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/390/hid9.jpg

The rest is just wiring up the positive side to the battery, finding a good chassis ground for both bulb leads and connecting the ballasts to the bulbs.

Here is the LO beam:

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9181/hid11.jpg

Here is the HI beam:

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/2593/hid12.jpg

Of the two kits, my own personal preference would be the second install with the HI/LO bulb and motor to move it.