HID headlights- helping you see better & everything you need to know

HID headlights

HID headlightsstants for High Intensity Discharge headlamps. A typical headlight has a bulb that is halogen, that contains a tungsten filament that glows when electricity is passed through. Most common headlight bulbs are halogens. But nowadays car manufacturers are introducing HID headlight bulbs which give 5 times the output than regular halogen bulbs.

HID bulbs are a lot different than normal halogen bulbs. They are longer and inside the bulb there is a tube where its filled with metal salts. When electricity is passed through the tube filament it ignites and produces an intense white light. High-intensity discharge lamps make more visible light per unit of electric power consumed than fluorescent and incandescent lamps since a greater proportion of their radiation is visible light in contrast to infrared.

As a result, HID bulbs require an igniter that is called Ballast. Each HID bulb has a ballast that fires 23000kV of electricity but the bulbs run at a wattage of 35 to 55w at maximum depending on  type of HID bulb.

HID-Color-Chart-large

HID bulbs run much less cooler than halogen or fluorescent bulbs and lasts much longer than regular bulbs. Due to its better light ouput , most car manufactures are now making it a standard option for the car’s headlights to contain HID set up.

HIDs can give different color output according to the temperature rating of the bulb. The temperature rating of the bulb is measured in K or Kelvin. So depending on temperature of K rating , different HID kits and bulbs will give off different colors.  It is important to know the color chart of HID bulbs. Although in reality the human eye will be suited to one particular temperature of the HID bulb.

halogen-vs-xenon

This color temperature chart shows and compares the output of HID bulbs compared to Halogens. Most people choose the 6000k Color temperature because it is the whitest light in the spectrum. But OEM HID kits are rated at 4300k to 4700k color temperature which has a tinge of yellow and white light. Scientists believe that the closer the HID color temperature to daylight the better it is to see. Also the fact that warmer tone of color temperature travels further than cooler white or blue tone of HID color.

A typical HID kit will always have a pair of ballasts and two bulbs all of it contained in a box. Depending on your bulb type you can always replace your oem halogens to HIDs by matching the bulb type.

Halogen-Vs-hid

For example for H4 Halogen you can buy 55w H4 HID kit which will give you 4 times the brightness output than regular halogens. You also need to keep in mind if your car’s wiring is able to handle the ballasts firing up the arc at 23000KV. Although HID bulbs run cooler but at startup the current draw is immense. Most HID kits available in Bangladesh are made in China. There are various grades and qualities, the price range is from 4000tk to 15000tk depending on brand.  They are available in car decoration shops in Banglamotor and bijoynagar.

HID pack

 

Disclaimer: images used in this article are from open source websites and holds no copyright and the intention to be used here only for presentation purpose.

Imagesource: Adam’s evo8 GSR on Jdmcarsforsaleus.us/ Torontocustomlights.com/ebay

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