H11 to H9 Headlight Conversion

[rstark18]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Out of curiosity, why do you think it is that cars that come factory equipped with HID's have halogen bulbs for the bright lights? If HID's were brighter, that wouldn't make sense would it?

The reason that the high beams are typically halogen has nothing to do with brightness in factory equipped cars. It is to do with the way high beams are commonly used. On your lighting control stock you can usually pull it backwards to temporarily flash the high beams. If you did this with HID's you would burn out the bulb in a very short time. I've been working with adn using HID lights for many years in the diving industry and there is no comparison to the efficiency to brightness ratio of HID's compared with halogen. That being said the future of lighting is LED.

[rstark18]

I stopped by my local auto parts store and picked up two Sylvania H9 bulbs. It took me about five minutes to modify both the wiring harness socket and the metal keyed tabs for the projector lamp socket for both bulbs. Now that I've done it once it will take me all of one minute for both bulbs next time.I did one side first so that I could compare the HID with the H9. The HID is definitely whiter but the H9 does seem as bright. I the placed an original H11 in to compare the H11 to the H9 and the H9 is definitely brighter. For me the even beam pattern of the halogen out-ways the nice look of the white HID's

[bedrock8x]

LED's are not that much more efficient than HIDs for the same lumens output. It is more expensive watt for watt.

The HIDs have the highest lumens output for auto headlight application, 2500-3500 depending on color temperature. The perceived brightness is misleading, human eyes tends to associate whiter color to be brighter, But we are talking output lumens here.
For the projector lens, about half of the light is blocked by the gate to provide the top cutoff, so it leaves abut 1200-1600 usable lumens available which is within legal limit. There is nothing illegal here. But for those who are converting from the standard reflector lens to HID will be illegal because of excessive lumens and too much glare due to the larger light source of the HID bulb and causing too much scatter.

For your question about why there is no HID in the high beam, it is because of cost as you suggested. For the same reason above, a regular reflector lens cannot be used with HID, only projector lens.
Some very expensive cars like BMWs do have HID high beams.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Don't confuse lumen output with color when thinking "brightness", and yes I am a broken record when talking about illegal activities. I'm actually surprised the Mods allow discussion of illegal modifications, at least without some kind of disclaimer tacked to the post. Not saying they should or shouldn't, it's their forum, not mine.
HID's are not "brighter" than Halogens, they are more expensive and efficient and can be had in different colors, but they aren't brighter.
LED's are the future of vehicle lighting. lighter and more efficient than HID's.
Out of curiosity, why do you think it is that cars that come factory equipped with HID's have halogen bulbs for the bright lights? If HID's were brighter, that wouldn't make sense would it?

[radioprius1]

Originally Posted by rrolff

Hrmmm - so when we talk about driving 5MPH over the speed limit in other threads, we should place a disclaimer (?????) because it is illegal (????). I do have to say this is funny....

I 100% agree with you rrolf!

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by rstark18

I stopped by my local auto parts store and picked up two Sylvania H9 bulbs. It took me about five minutes to modify both the wiring harness socket and the metal keyed tabs for the projector lamp socket for both bulbs. Now that I've done it once it will take me all of one minute for both bulbs next time.I did one side first so that I could compare the HID with the H9. The HID is definitely whiter but the H9 does seem as bright. I the placed an original H11 in to compare the H11 to the H9 and the H9 is definitely brighter. For me the even beam pattern of the halogen out-ways the nice look of the white HID's

Did you take any pics? I'm thinking about also doing this...

[rstark18]

Originally Posted by rrolff

Did you take any pics? I'm thinking about also doing this...

I don't have my camera today so I didn't take any pics. If I go out later tonight I will give a final opinion as to the reach and brightness.

[a64pilot]

I think HID's don't live long when used intermitantly. I've been trying to flash them for aircraft recognition lights and they burn out pretty quick. (300 hrs) Tried using these RMD Misc. Wingtip Lighting They are bright though.
Now I have these guy's building lights for me Aeroleds > Home expected life well beyond average airframe life.
Sorry you guy's don't think laws are relevant, I guess though you expect others to follow them? Or do you just get to pick which ones you like?

[radioprius1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I think HID's don't live long when used intermitantly. I've been trying to flash them for aircraft recognition lights and they burn out pretty quick. (300 hrs) Tried using these RMD Misc. Wingtip Lighting They are bright though.
Now I have these guy's building lights for me Aeroleds > Home expected life well beyond average airframe life.
Sorry you guy's don't think laws are relevant, I guess though you expect others to follow them? Or do you just get to pick which ones you like?

Ok Mr. "Never went 1mph over the speed limit," Mr. "never rolled through a stop sign," etc. What a hypocrite - LOL. Thanks for the evening laugh.