| Trigger |
Warning do not order this kit, failed after 6 weeks!
Ok so maybe you read the other Fog light thread and ended up with some awesome interior LEDS...I know I did, cheers to Lionspeed...I love my interior lights. I also order the MTEC 4750's for the DRL and fogs based on that thread...while better than stock I wasn't exactly crazy about them so I decided to take one for the team and ordered a cheap HID conversion kit from E-Bay. This is the one I got HID H11 4300 Conversion kit
Ordered on Jan 31 and arrived Feb 5th took 3 business days.
Porsche not included |
|
|
| Trigger |
| First thing..website says "made in germany" ballast says "desigend in germany". They were shipped from China so I would say they are actually made in China. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Pop these plastic retainers out to expose the access area for the lights. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Pulled the MTEC H11 bulb out, once disconnected you can then hook up the link cable to the ballast. This is where I encountered the first problem, plugged her in but no light at all...tried both no good. Checking the E-Bay page it actually says some vehicles may require you to reverse the wires here..as it turns out the MDX is one of these vehicles...I simply took a small eye glass screwdriver and pushed down on the pin to pop it out, black is red red is black away you go no splicing wires, that's asking for trouble later on. |
|
|
| scorro1 |
| how did they send up looking. That seems so cheap. |
|
|
| Trigger |
It's dead simple the link cable goes into the ballast and the actual HID bulb is already hooked up to the other connector on the ballast.
Be careful not to touch the bulb with your fingers or hit it on anything when inserting. The bulb from this kit is longer than the stock bulb but it fits fine, it does not touch the refelector inside the lens. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Here is where I chose to mount the ballast for the drivers side fog. The wires are plenty long enough to reach down from this spot beside the battery(disconnect the bulb first). There is also a convenient hole in the metal brace which I used to screw the bracket to. I didn't want to put the ballast down by the fog light as that cavity is exposed to water from the road and there really is nowhere decent to screw it to other than the plastic wheel well cover..probably not going to last in that spot.. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Passenger side I zip tied the ballast to the large wire loom that is mounted to the cross beam. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Here you can see the difference in light output, the HID is way brighter than the MTEC (this picture seems to show the MTEC a bit purple but it's not). The HID 4300K fog is also more blue than the stock HID beam...this may change as the shipper says it takes 50hrs of burn-in to have the gasses mix properly at which time the true color will show. |
|
|
| Trigger |
| Night shot both fogs are HID here. It looks really blue in the picture but cameras are funny with light, I think it's closer in real life but fogs are for sure more blue than stock....dunno what you would have to order to get a perfect match to stock..maybe the 3000K. |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| Huge difference! Looks good, nice writeup. :D |
|
|
| craniotes |
My hat's off to you, trigger. Thanks for the pictorial, and let us know how they burn in after 50hrs.
Regards,
Adam |
|
|
| Trigger |
| One more side shot |
|
|
| scorro1 |
| Looks awesome. Great Job, too bad that seller doesnt have anything listed any more. |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by scorro1
Looks awesome. Great Job, too bad that seller doesnt have anything listed any more.
Humm that's odd...well you may want to try another manufacture's kit anyways as the wires were reversed from this guy, I could see people breaking the connector trying to fix it. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| So I take it there is no relay harness to the battery? Just plug the ballast into the fog's socket? |
|
|
| Needsdecaf |
A bunch of guys on the Volvo forums I belong to have used this guy with great results.
http://www.sharphid.com |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
So I take it there is no relay harness to the battery? Just plug the ballast into the fog's socket?
Correct no harness to battery just plug into the wire for the existing bulb. |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
looks good!
for fogs i would of gone with 3000k, gives you that bright yellow color. i think im going to do that for my 2002 Audi A4
nice write up |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by bronxblaza117
looks good!
for fogs i would of gone with 3000k, gives you that bright yellow color. i think im going to do that for my 2002 Audi A4
nice write up
Please post pictures of 3000K, Id really like to see them.
I contacted the seller to see if I could just buy bulbs and not the whole kit, that way I could try 3000k. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| As you can tell from the pics, the kit's 4X00K is bluer than OEM. I would guess that these are not 4X00K and are in fact either 5000K or 6000K. That's the problem with some of these cheaper kits. If you do not get OEM capsules, who's to say what the K is on them? I bet the 3000K would match the OEM bulbs. But that's just a guess. |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
this guy has 3000k in both headlights and fog, i would only do fogs.
 |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Is that a canary????:D |
|
|
| eujinc |
Trigger, excellent job :claphead:. Great pics and instructions. It sure looks darn bright. I'm actually a quite surprised that the light turned out that blue. You might want to confirm with the seller that he sent you the 4300K and not some higher temp.
I did a HID headlight conversion with a 6000K kit a couple of weeks back on my SLK and it turned out very white. Next to the X, the X's HIDs looked slightly yellower. |
|
|
| Trigger |
Yuck 3000K is way too yellow...looks like a bug light.
I read on the SharpHID site that OEM's use 4300K BUT the projectors have various tints and filters that cause the color to shift...maybe that's why the 4300k looks more blue than the stock.
And yes they are damn bright, at least 3X brighter than the MTEC's..I took a drive last night and the peripheral difference was huge. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Trigger
I read on the SharpHID site that OEM's use 4300K BUT the projectors have various tints and filters that cause the color to shift...maybe that's why the 4300k looks more blue than the stock.
It's the combination of the shield and the projector lens that give that blueish/purple light at the cutoff. Light below the cutoff should be 4X00K for OEM set ups. Since you only have a reflector in the fog lamps, this would not come into play. Are there any markings on the capsule as to what K it really is? These will only get bluer as they color shift. |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
It's the combination of the shield and the projector lens that give that blueish/purple light at the cutoff. Light below the cutoff should be 4X00K for OEM set ups. Since you only have a reflector in the fog lamps, this would not come into play. Are there any markings on the capsule as to what K it really is? These will only get bluer as they color shift.
The box had 4300K ticked off and there was a sticker on the bulb it'self that said 4300K...I did not inspect the bulb really close to see if there was anyother markings. Maybe it truly needs to burn in before it's closer to 4300K |
|
|
| Trigger |
| look at this pic from another angle. different still. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Trigger
The box had 4300K ticked off and there was a sticker on the bulb it'self that said 4300K...I did not inspect the bulb really close to see if there was anyother markings. Maybe it truly needs to burn in before it's closer to 4300K
AFAIK, they will only get bluer. As the bulbs get more hours on them, they move further up the scale. If that last pick has accurate color, those are REALLY blue. More on the scale of an aqua.
Do you think you will have any problems blinding oncoming traffic or are the fogs low enough that it wouldn't be a problem? |
|
|
| G. COLTON |
The person whom you will blind will be yourself. Bright is not good in fog lights. That is if your intent is to really use them as fog lights.
G |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
AFAIK, they will only get bluer. As the bulbs get more hours on them, they move further up the scale. If that last pick has accurate color, those are REALLY blue. More on the scale of an aqua...
I concur. HID bulb on an average will maintain over 2-3000 hours. After passing around 100-500 hours the phenonmen "color shift" will take place. Color will change slightly from a yellowish tone to a crisper bluer tone. The magnitude of color shift will vary depending on brand, model and rated color. It is a very gradual change and unless paid close attention to, we might not notice. OEM 4100K Bulbs manufactured by Philips has been reported to have a more noticeable color shift than OEM 4100K Osram. OEM 4100K Bulbs manufactured by Philips has a colorshift of approx 250K after 500 hours, which will bring it to up to 4350K. Nice setup Trigger nevertheless. ;) |
|
|
| csmeance |
| did you have to hook anything up to the battery or did it just plug into the factory harness and thats it? |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
his HID is plug and play, did not come with a relay kit for the battery.
HID's in a reflector housing, which the foglights are, will generate glare, but since these fogs are so low to the ground it shouldnt effect oncoming traffic. |
|
|
| edfire |
| I'm sure there are more kits out there. Why couldn't one do it to the day time driving lights too? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by edfire
I'm sure there are more kits out there. Why couldn't one do it to the day time driving lights too?
Absolutely. MTEC HID kit is selling for around $260. Other cheapest Japanese I've found is around $160-$190. Right now I'm looking at a Ultraslim version roughly around a business card size ballast with 3/8" thick Japan made of course. |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
when i had my scion tc i was (still participate) in a Scion forum. They alwasy have atleast two sponsors selling HID kits from $100-$200 and they sometimes include the relay kit that allows you to do a direct hookup to the battery. All plug and play. heres a link to the sponsored sales on Scionlife.com
CLICK HERE
and usually they come with warranties.
You can order any bulb type and the popular kelvin temperatures |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by edfire
I'm sure there are more kits out there. Why couldn't one do it to the day time driving lights too?
No reason you can't, I was thinking about it...would like to see a manufacturer that allows you to buy bulbs separate so I could try some different colors. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
bronxblaza117, thanks for info, will check it out.
BTW now we all know, you're an old fart. :D |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
Absolutely. MTEC HID kit is selling for around $260. Other cheapest Japanese I've found is around $160-$190. Right now I'm looking at a Ultraslim version roughly around a business card size ballast with 3/8" thick Japan made of course.
what is the benefit of the kits that require you to tie into the battery? It would definitely add to complexity of the installation and further limit ballast location. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by Trigger
what is the benefit of the kits that require you to tie into the battery? It would definitely add to complexity of the installation and further limit ballast location.
It isolates the power consumption at start up to just the battery and not the electrical system. HIDs use less energy overall but when they fire up, they use quite a bit of energy. |
|
|
| edfire |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
Absolutely. MTEC HID kit is selling for around $260. Other cheapest Japanese I've found is around $160-$190. Right now I'm looking at a Ultraslim version roughly around a business card size ballast with 3/8" thick Japan made of course.
Do you have a link of the kit you are considering? |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
bronxblaza117, thanks for info, will check it out.
BTW now we all know, you're an old fart. :D
ha far from old. probably the youngest one on this forum and i seem to act older then you!!! :9: :2: |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by bronxblaza117
ha far from old. probably the youngest one on this forum and i seem to act older then you!!! :9: :2:
:yodaddy: :yodaddy: :yodaddy: |
|
|
| csmeance |
| will 3000K HIDs or 2500K HIDs improve my visibility in dense, heavy fog? Where I live, there is usally dense fog when I go to work and the factory Halogen fogs help, but not too much. I notice that the factory HID's cause alot of refelction and make the fog seem even denser. WIll 3000K help? |
|
|
| bronxblaza117 |
| 3000k in the foglights will increase visibility a whole lot in a fog. they provide the best visible light and do not reflect off the water particles as much as the headlights do. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Of course to be really effective in dense fog, you just need to have ONLY your fog lights on, correct? And not your lows as well? An electrical modification may be order for you to take full advantage of the utility of the fogs. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by edfire
What's the saying, "you get what you paid for?"
....
Well, I didn't want to pull that what you paid for sh$t, figure that's common sense :D. I'm ordering number 1 & 2 just for fun. For the slim ballast, looks like a cheapy kind which I may regret later getting it. |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
Well, I didn't want to pull that what you paid for sh$t, figure that's common sense :D. I'm ordering number 1 & 2 just for fun. For the slim ballast, looks like a cheapy kind which I may regret later getting it.
Can't wait to see the color of these vs stock. The seller for the kit I ordered will ship bulbs seperate for $45...I might try the 3000K to see if it's a closer match but I'm going to hold off until you post your results. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| Pictures to come. Love the color matching with stock HID. Extremely bright & a bit of pain to install. Love it nevertheless. :29: |
|
|
| Quality_Freak |
Lionspeed..
Do you have money to burn???
I am not sure how many MTEC bulbs you ordered and now your trying the HID conversion kits...
Wish I was made of money.
Please post the pics to the HID (opt 2) as I will probably be doing this as well when the weather warms up here. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| All pix were shot on tripod & by manual.... |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| DRL, Fog, Low Beam (LB) |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| LB only & LB + Fog |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
Side view w/ different elevations.
P.S. All shots were original without any modification. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
Total time = 3hrs.
Almost break 1 bulb fr frustration. This is not as easy as I expected. The hardest parts are screwing the bulbs in & finding a location for the secured ballasts.
... Extremely happy with the result. Next mod, Hi-Beam? :D |
|
|
| highcountrymdx |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
Next mod, Hi-Beam? :D
The high beams would definitely throw some light down the road, but you may want to consider it further. The only downside to HIDs is their life is shortened considerably when they are turned on and off repeatedly, exactly the scenario of high beam usage. Additionally, there is a slight delay to 'light off' a HID, that some might consider irritating. Flashing your high beams at oncoming drivers would be almost completely ineffective, for example.
Also, consider that the HID bulb is comparatively long, and the light is produced throughout its entire length. The high beam pattern is tightly controlled by the shape of the reflector. That reflector is designed for a pinpoint light source, ie, a tightly wound tungsten filament. Installing a HID bulb in a housing designed for a filament bulb will produce a more diffuse light pattern.
I installed Toshiba HIRs for my high beams and I'm very pleased. Light output is markedly brighter, although the color is not as pure white as are the HIDs. |
|
|
| 07aspenx |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
LB only & LB + Fog
OMG that is bright. Gotta get these for my X. |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
| nice work on the breakdown. |
|
|
| Trigger |
Great post lionspeed, much better match than the Helligate. I have been tossing around the idea of changing the Stock HID bulb to a higher color to match my fogs, might not now that you found a good match.
Did you have enough wire to reach the battery from the passanger side?
Guessing you didn't try the mtec HID's as well? Bought the subaru's first? |
|
|
| edfire |
Lion-
Was this pretty much a plug and play, or did you have to run additional wiring or relays?
Looks good, did you get them off of Ebay? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by edfire
Lion-
Was this pretty much a plug and play, or did you have to run additional wiring or relays?
Looks good, did you get them off of Ebay?
Yes, plug & play. No additional wiring or relays (if you follow my layout). Everything you need is in the OEM package. Yes on Ebay. ;) |
|
|
| Quality_Freak |
Lionspeed...
Great Job! Can't wait for the weather to get warmer to put these on.
One question...Are the instructions in English as well? I looked at your pics of the wiring...somewhat intimidated by which end goes where.
Good job again...hopefully, you don't change the bulbs to something better.
Also, anyone know why the HID low beams (when first turned on) appear really bright and blue in color...then turn to a more whiter color moments later? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by Quality_Freak
Lionspeed...
One question...Are the instructions in English as well? I looked at your pics of the wiring...somewhat intimidated by which end goes where.
Good job again...hopefully, you don't change the bulbs to something better.
Also, anyone know why the HID low beams (when first turned on) appear really bright and blue in color...then turn to a more whiter color moments later?
1. Yes, instructions in English & Japanese. I find that Japanese instruction is more acurate. No I don't read Japanese, but they put lots of pictures for their people? LOL. You will see it in the manual. BTW, all plugs have ONLY one way to go in. You will not be able to make any mistakes. It is that simple.
2. When the bulb reaches at certain heat temperature, its true color will show or rather shine. ;) |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by Quality_Freak
Good job again...hopefully, you don't change the bulbs to something better.
It's funny you ask. Earlier today I've already purchased a new set of bulb 4300K (bulbs only) from another company just to compare. The ballasts are there to stay, now is the fun part by switching out to whatever HID bulb you want. ;)
Please don't worry, I like that Subaru kit a lot, but it doesn't mean I will leave it alone. :D |
|
|
| eujinc |
Hey LS, great side by side comparisons. :29: Good color match and it really lights up the area below the low beams.
With so many HID kits out there, what made you decide on this particular brand? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
With so many HID kits out there, what made you decide on this particular brand?
Simple pure luck :2: .
Trigger's set was too blue. One to avoid out of 1,000's to choose right? LOL
You are right, tons of them HID kits out there & I'm sure +85% of them are below standard. After hours of research, blah blah.... I've narrowed down to 3 options. Mtec ($300), Subaru ($150), Ultraslim ($100 w/ the slim advantage but was quickly discarded because it was China made). Keep in mind Mtec & Subaru HID are both made in Japan, nuff said? ;)
I will still be ordering Mtec just to compare. As of now Subaru seems to fit the everyone's pocket ($$$) better. |
|
|
| eujinc |
So my next ques, what are you going to do with all the stock bulbs and MTEC bulbs?
Garage sale?
:2: |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
So my next ques, what are you going to do with all the stock bulbs and MTEC bulbs?
Garage sale?
:2:
LOL. I have roughly around 10 extra pairs of Mtec's. Around 20 mixtures of LEDs. No time for garage sale, but always time to MAIL out to members for free. ;) |
|
|
| Autonomy |
quote:
Originally posted by LionSpeed
Yes, plug & play. No additional wiring or relays (if you follow my layout). Everything you need is in the OEM package. Yes on Ebay. ;)
LionSpeed,
I was looking at your Pictures, I noticed where you placed your ballasts, that is damn tight, how did you get it in there?
Did you remove any parts eg, battery to get easier access? What about the front bumper - did you have to remove it to get easier access as well? What about the wires from the ballast, how did you move it down all the way to the bottom? - I would imagined that is how its done?
BTW - GREAT write-up - love the camera shots & description!! .. I'm gonna order these HIDS soon! |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by Autonomy
I was looking at your Pictures, I noticed where you placed your ballasts, that is damn tight, how did you get it in there?
Did you remove any parts eg, battery to get easier access? What about the front bumper - did you have to remove it to get easier access as well? What about the wires from the ballast, how did you move it down all the way to the bottom? - I would imagined that is how its done?
1. Damn tight is right, the ballast next to the battery has the best spot. Even without the adhesive, it is secured by all four sides. By adding the adhesive, it is there to stay for good.
2. I did not REMOVE any part of the car, except for 4 fasteners (fr the bottom) each side w/ a screw drivers. That's simple.
3. I did not need to turn the wheel for access at all. Plenty of room for your hand & arm to maneuver.
4. Each HID kit's wire is around 2 feet long. Way more than enough. Infact I had to coil the extra length together w/ ties afterward.
5. The passenger's ballast is secured butt against the coolant container by both adhesive & ties.
Right after the installation, took a ride around town for over an hour, came back & inspected everything... Both ballasts were cold to the touch. :29: |
|
|
| vietdude |
Damn you LS, now I have to get these. :4:
They really look good. I noticed that the driver side fog was not as bright as the other one, are they in straight or is it just the camera? |
|
|
| Trigger |
Joining this forum has cost me nothing but cash...but I love it! Think I'm going to have to get the subaru's they look really good.
Anybody want to buy my bluey HID's? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by vietdude
Damn you LS, now I have to get these. :4:
They really look good. I noticed that the driver side fog was not as bright as the other one, are they in straight or is it just the camera?
Hahaha. Make sure to have a bowl of PHO before starting this project. It'll take a you a good 2.5-3hr. At least it was in for me.
All bulbs (both side) have only ONE way to go in. With a twist, they will be DEAD locked. All bulbs have the same output & ambient (at least to my eyes they are). When I shot this, the camera probably wasn't at the exact CENTER point.
P.S. I'm gonna try to take a few more detail pictures (close up) locations of the ballasts for you guys this weekend. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by Trigger
Joining this forum has cost me nothing but cash...
... If you can't stand the heat :D .... j/k.
Subaru is step 1 for me. Step 2 is the MTEC HID kit ($300). You know the drill ... you get you pay for.
So If I were you, wait until I get my MTEC or you might be putting your SUBARU's for sale too. :D |
|
|
| edfire |
| I might as well tackle both the daytime running lights and the fog lights at the same time. I'm going to wait until lionspeed has time to give the ones he installed a good review and test. |
|
|
| Trigger |
quote:
Originally posted by edfire
I might as well tackle both the daytime running lights and the fog lights at the same time. I'm going to wait until lionspeed has time to give the ones he installed a good review and test.
I think I'm going to order 9005B(DRL) bulbs for the kit I already have and then order either the MTEC HID or the Subaru for the FOGS. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
Since Sat 02-15-08, I've used (turned on) the LB & Fog for an average of 2hrs/day (day & night). Total = 10hrs burn. Result: no change in color as of yet. Still a perfect match to our LB.
Will continue this report in another 2 weeks. ;) |
|
|
| vietdude |
Hey LS, I just got mine today but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. So you remove all those clear plastic rings right? Also do those two prongs go into the cars light recepticle where you unplug the bulb?
Thanks, don't want to fry myself. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| vietdude, hope pix are self-explainatory. |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
| Latest shot at night w/ light rain. I've centered my camera position now. Perfect color, perfect output for both side. Happy now vietdude? ;) |
|
|
| vietdude |
thanks for the extra pics LS, the only thing I forgot was the electrical tape. I wonder why they didn't just provide a plug.
Anyways this first pic is with just the fog hid on the driver side only and the mtec 4350 on the passenger side. |
|
|
| vietdude |
| but you can see that the hid casts more light on the ground |
|
|
| vietdude |
| Doesn't the hids look a little bluer, I wonder if that they are truely 4500k? |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
Wow, it looks way too blue. Not even anywhere near our LB. Did you order the wrong Kevin temp? This looks like 5000K or something higher.
Additional info. Last week, I purchased a new set of bulbs (4300K) from the same seller just to make sure all 4300K are the same. The result, PERFECT. Identical in color as in the kit. The material & cosmetic is slightly different tho. (see pic). BTW, mine did look a little blue in the first initial 10 secs or so, after that, it's all white. |
|
|
| vietdude |
yeah its the same one you have, it even says 4500K on the box. You think I should ask for an exchange.
On another note how do post multple pics in one post?
How come I can't post any more pics:confused: |
|
|
| LionSpeed |
quote:
Originally posted by vietdude
yeah its the same one you have, it even says 4500K on the box. You think I should ask for an exchange.
On another note how do post multple pics in one post?
How come I can't post any more pics:confused:
That's the problem. WRONG K. Make sure to tell them you want 4300K.
I don't think you can post multiple pix. This why photoshop comes in handy. ;) |
|
|
|
