First off sorry for the long post. Those that don’t believe in the Sedan HID don’t need to read on. Those that are interested, have fun reading.

I just installed HID on my 2008 EX Sedan. I did NOT do a retro fit with projectors. I used the OEM Multireflectors housings.

First off here are some pics of the halogens and their cutoffs. I posted this a couple of days ago as well.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2500s.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2503.jpg

**** DO AT YOUR OWN RISK ****
I will not be held responsible for any damages you incur to you car if you decide to use my guide. This is just more of an informative post to help others decide if they want to do this upgrade.

Here is the Kit I got from Xenon Depot and its contents. This is a 35 Watt Xenon Depot Ballast with a 5000k Xenon Depot Bulb with relay harness to ensure constant power to the ballast:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2570s.jpg

Next are the Steps I took in removing the bumper:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2587s.jpg

Remove ALL the plugs that have arrows to them. (*To remove the plug take a small screw driver and turn it 90 degrees to pop open the fastener. Once up then pull the entire plug out.)

You will also need to follow these instructions to remove the bottom bumper plugs as well as the fender plugs.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10752&d=1202242017

Here are some pics of the fender plug removal:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2588s.jpg
That note in the pics states that there is a bolt that needs to be removed and it is a philips head bolt.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2590.jpg

NOTE: When removing the bumper near the headlights they have tabs that fasten them firmly. Gently just pull away. Becareful not to break them as if you break these you won’t be able to firmly fasten the bumper back.

Once the bumper is removed is will look like this:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2572.jpg

When you are wiring the Xenon Depot Ballast and Relay system please follow these instructions listed here by Xenon Depot:

http://www.xenondepot.com/images/Manualls/mcman.pdf

I started on the drivers side first. Here is the location of where I installed the drivers side. (NOTE: OEM Ballast location for other regions) If you notice I mounted the ballast sitting in the OEM location that is actually right below the housing. There are holes cutout to mount, I assume, the OEM ballast those hole locations aren’t the same for the Xenon Depot ballast. I used the double sided tape supplied and also zip ties to secure it down safely in the OEM location. The extra wiring and relay harness I zipped tied to the big hole in the frame. Also put one around the relay harness so it won’t move.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2575s.jpg

Another picture of the nicely tucked away install on the Drivers side:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2577.jpg

Here is the passenger side. Notice the location where I mounted the ballast. This was because the OEM ballast location had wiring over it and I didn’t want to take a chance move it around. So to mount the ballast on the frame I also used the double sided tape and zip tie from the top to the bottom pre drilled home in the frame.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2583s.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2582.jpg

The tricky part on the passenger side is wiring the Positive relay cable. Here is how I did it.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2579s.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2580s.jpg
If I could do it again I would of done this part first. This is how I did both positive relay wires and relay fuse boxes.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2578s.jpg

Here is a tight shot of connection for the bulbs to the ballast.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2584.jpg

Here is the passenger side close up with the HID in place. As you can see on the bottom of the reflector there is a blocker to prevent the light from bouncing to the bottom of the reflector up and out. Of course since it is a reflector you will have some residual light in that area.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2585s.jpg

Here is a picture with the end product at 11:30am. Doesn’t really help, but they are on. I will take pics later tonight to show what it looks like at night.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2586s.jpg

Overall the process took me 3 hrs. The hardest parts of the install was to get the guts to pull harder on the bumper, pulling the tabs out of the bumper to release it. Getting the HID bulbs in and twisting them to lock. One took me 15minutes as it just didn’t want to lock into position, but I finally got it. The last thing was working behind the fender cover to get all the wiring in correctly. There is not much room to work behind there. You can barely get one hand let alone both to make a connection.

I did have a problem with one of the Relay harness connections as it came out of the adapter that plugs (White Lead line) into the 9006 adapter on the car. I already IMed Xenon Depot and have no doubt they will address it as they have been very helpful with this. Basically a prong that holds that lead in that adapter broke off. I basically stuck some duct tape in the hole to keep it from moving and the duct taped it so it was secure. I didn’t want to take off the bumper and rerun the a new relay wire as that just a pain and I already had everything off.

This was my 4th time I have installed HID in a car and this was the 2nd hardest. Its more tedious as there is very little room to work with and you MUST remove the bumper to do this correctly.

Addendum with aimed lights and pictures:

First off trying to figure out how to adjust the lights where a pain so these pics will help clarify where the exact bolt/philips head screwdriver is needed to reaim the lights as needed. Counterclockwise lowers, clockwise raises.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/leftadjusts.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2599.jpg

I aimed the drivers a tad bit lower the the passengers and the focus is good and not in the oncoming drivers eyes. I was about 25-30 ft away.
Pic from outside the sunroof.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2600.jpg
Pic from right in front. Notice the kinda U shaped cutoff.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2601.jpg
Another shot closer the garage door with lines for reference.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2602.jpg

Some pics look at the car:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2604s.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2605s.jpg

The pictures do not do the color justice. It's a tad bit bluer. Another thing I noticed is that it seems both lights are aimed to the right a bit.

After a week I will add my review of the Xenon Depot kit itself. (added below on 9/23)

I have had the kit on alittle more then a wk now. I have had no issues as of right now. Bulb color temps (5000k which is what I got) are good, but not as good as my 4300k temperture bulbs in my 07 pilot. For those looking for the brightest light go with 4300k. 5000k is bright but just bluer overall. If I would have to do it over again I would of gotten the 4300k temp bulbs.

As far as service, Steve from Xenon Depot has been fantastic to work with. He has been available for all questions I had. Again, I had an issue with one of the 9006 Male adapters from the harness to the 9006 car's female adapter but he sent me out new ones in 2 days. I have not had a need to change them yet. All in all I would recommend Xenon Depot to anybody that is looking to put an aftermarket kit xenon kit as the product itself is of good quality and customer service has been excellent.

Hope this helps as to exactly what needs to be done on doing this converstion. Good Luck. If you have any question let me know.

Nice :thmsup:

I bought a HID kit a while back, but I've been too busy/lazy to install it.

I would to see how they look in the dark and if other drivers are really getting blinded by them. I saw the Asian Accord and it has HID in what loks to me the same headlight.
Also if you look at the ACURA TL 2003 which has HID from ACURA doesn't have any projectors.

For the guy with the DIAMOND WHITE Accord, you said you bought the HID kit and will put it on. When you do please post pictures because I got the same car.

I would to see how they look in the dark and if other drivers are really getting blinded by them. I saw the Asian Accord and it has HID in what loks to me the same headlight.
Also if you look at the ACURA TL 2003 which has HID from ACURA doesn't have any projectors.

For the guy with the DIAMOND WHITE Accord, you said you bought the HID kit and will put it on. When you do please post pictures because I got the same car.

If you look really closely at the reflectors of the Asian cars you'll see they're not quite the same as our headlights. There are more facets of the Asian lights that are neither vertical nor horizontal. The Asian lights are made to meet ECE specs, not the DOT specs of the North American model.

As far as the Acura goes, its reflector lights were designed for HIDs. This is not the case for our Accord.

The HID lights shown in this topic's first post show a light distribution different to that of the halogen bulbs and simply shining the HID lights on a vertical surface that's not to far from the car in no way proves there's no glare.

WOW!!! Thanks for the detailed write-up!!! This will be extremely helpful for the sedan owners and it will provide them reference when they want to buy a HID kit! I can't wait for your night output pictures!

Can you please take cut-off pictures, beam pictures from inside/outside of the car, and head-on pictures.

Thanks man!

I would to see how they look in the dark and if other drivers are really getting blinded by them. I saw the Asian Accord and it has HID in what loks to me the same headlight.
Also if you look at the ACURA TL 2003 which has HID from ACURA doesn't have any projectors.


It is the same headlight but they are designed to accomodate D2R bulbs, which help reduce the glare of the HID from a reflector-based housing. The hid kits for the USDM Accords use 9006 bulbs and these don't have the glare-reducing feature D2R has. Therefore pnp hid kits for our accord have a higher chance of blinding on-coming traffic.

Ok. Didn't have time to reaim yet. But I did notice off the bat at night that my driver side light is higher then my right. That's no good. So that will be fixed tomorrow. Good news is that I drove real quick with my wife down the block to get some food and nobody flashed me either. Here is one pic standing still from the front and another that my wife took in the car. I have to realign tomorrow and get more pics. To tired to do it tonight. But you can see the cutoff in my wifes pic.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2593s.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2598.jpg

It is the same headlight but they are designed to accomodate D2R bulbs, which help reduce the glare of the HID from a reflector-based housing. The hid kits for the USDM Accords use 9006 bulbs and these don't have the glare-reducing feature D2R has. Therefore pnp hid kits for our accord have a higher chance of blinding on-coming traffic.

you guys are assuming too much, did anyone order a pair of those asian headlights yet? because the other thread everyone one was like "oh they're reflector headlights, they must be the same"

you guys are assuming too much, did anyone order a pair of those asian headlights yet? because the other thread everyone one was like "oh they're reflector headlights, they must be the same"

Nope, Just tried it out based on the cutoff I have seen first hand from these.

Assuming or not the cutoff is good. As good as a projector, no. Better then other reflector, most likely.

Looking good!
I'd like to see how the HIDs looks shining on your garage.

you can't say most likely without even seeing it first hand. there is a huge glare difference between a PnP kit and d2r hid system. if anything you should have went for the d2r kit.

For the love of god you keep saying how great the cutoff is but have yet to provide pics against any sort of object farther than 2 feet from the car. I can assure you there are huge halos which are blinding to oncoming traffic. You are probably also lighting up the foreground more than anything else.

Besides that, the install looks clean and the car looks nice. The writeup is excellent as well. Nothing against you, I just don't want people thinking that HIDs in halogen reflectors are a good idea, even if you think you can see a cutoff.

you can't say most likely without even seeing it first hand. there is a huge glare difference between a PnP kit and d2r hid system. if anything you should have went for the d2r kit.

I said "most likely" as in this reflector based housing is better then other reflector based housing. Has nothing to do with bulb type.

I said "most likely" as in this reflector based housing is better then other reflector based housing. Has nothing to do with bulb type.

better then what other reflector based housing?
you can't really say these are multi-reflector headlights and so its probably as good as the asian hid headlights and throw a pnp kit in.
what was the whole point of your other thread discussing a headlight swap or trying to fit a d2r hid system in so you dont blind people?

For the love of god you keep saying how great the cutoff is but have yet to provide pics against any sort of object farther than 2 feet from the car. I can assure you there are huge halos which are blinding to oncoming traffic. You are probably also lighting up the foreground more than anything else.

Besides that, the install looks clean and the car looks nice. The writeup is excellent as well. Nothing against you, I just don't want people thinking that HIDs in halogen reflectors are a good idea, even if you think you can see a cutoff.


Nightawkcoupe - I am a bit tired to go out and reaim at this point and time. I will provide pics at a later time (So don't please bite my head off:D).

I find it funny that alot of the coupe owners are on here bashing a clearly labelled sedan HID install. Is it as good as the coupe projector's (that is not made for HID either, was already proved in a prior thread on driveraccord.net) Heck no. But is it as bad as the Xenons that were on the Lincoln 2 door coupe back in the day or the Acura TL that had reflector housings. No.

I'm not doing this to look cool or blind ppl. I want more light so when I drive up to Vermont when I go snowboarding I can see the deer at night better.

Nightawkcoupe - I am a bit tired to go out and reaim at this point and time. I will provide pics at a later time (So don't please bite my head off:D).

I find it funny that alot of the coupe owners are on here bashing a clearly labelled sedan HID install. Is it as good as the coupe projector's (that is not made for HID either, was already proved in a prior thread on driveraccord.net) Heck no. But is it as bad as the Xenons that were on the Lincoln 2 door coupe back in the day or the Acura TL that had reflector housings. No.

I not doing this to look cool or blind ppl. I want more light so when I drive up to Vermont when I go snowboarding I can see the deer at night better.

im not bashing you, im trying to help you. but i kinda see it was pointless that you were trying to figure out a good way to throw on hids without blinding people. you found out a way, but now you just throw in a PnP kit.

better then what other reflector based housing?
you can't really say these are multi-reflector headlights and so its probably as good as the asian hid headlights and throw a pnp kit in.
what was the whole point of your other thread discussing a headlight swap or trying to fit a d2r hid system in so you dont blind people?

Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, etc... housings. Take your pic of the lot.

The other thread was before I actually took a good look at the cutoffs from the halogen lights. I thought it was as bad as the old TL's which just isn't true. The pattern is exactly the same with the Xenon's. Just brighter as you might imagine.

im not bashing you, im trying to help you. but i kinda see it was pointless that you were trying to figure out a good way to throw on hids without blinding people. you found out a way, but now you just throw in a PnP kit.


If I was blinding ppl I am sure oncoming traffic would be the first to high beam me back. I know I would. So proof on proof, I haven't been flashed, YET. And that's with me still needing to reaim my lights.

Actually I have a sedan myself and with ebay hids, their is a "fairly good" cutoff from over 20 feet in front of my closed garage door. I've had them on for over 2 months now and have not been flashed or told that the beam is blinding by anyone. The only con that I have noticed is that they don't project the same amount of light evenly from side to side like projectors do and they, like the pictures shown above, give off slight halos. But other than that, I don't regret putting them on because I have parked, at stoplights, next to halogen lights and my lights give more visibility so that's all that matters to me.

im not bashing you, im trying to help you. but i kinda see it was pointless that you were trying to figure out a good way to throw on hids without blinding people. you found out a way, but now you just throw in a PnP kit.

They are not blinding at all... you'll have to see it to believe it I suppose. I have driven behind my brother and he agrees it's not blinding. What's blinding is when I'm driving my stock S2000 and a pickup/suv pulls up behind me.. that's fricken blinding both hids and halogen.

If I was blinding ppl I am sure oncoming traffic would be the first to high beam me back. I know I would. So proof on proof, I haven't been flashed, YET. And that's with me still needing to reaim my lights.

just because you havent been flashed in one night doesnt really mean anything.

all you have to do is look at the wall when aiming your headlights, you already said your driver side is higher so you're pretty much admitting is probably blinding.
look im not hating, but don't be so defensive because when facts come to facts, everyone knows the reflector based housing blinds people. just because you found out the asian counterparts use reflector hids doesnt mean its changed now and you can use pnp hids.
you should have gave the d2r kit a chance first if you want to compare it to old tl headlights.

just because you havent been flashed in one night doesnt really mean anything.

all you have to do is look at the wall when aiming your headlights, you already said your driver side is higher so you're pretty much admitting is probably blinding.
look im not hating, but don't be so defensive because when facts come to facts, everyone knows the reflector based housing blinds people. just because you found out the asian counterparts use reflector hids doesnt mean its changed now and you can use pnp hids.
you should have gave the d2r kit a chance first if you want to compare it to old tl headlights.


I know your not hating me. We are grown men just having a friendly debate :). We could be like the presidential candidates. :biggrin:

Ok first point - yes the drivers side is higher then the right. BUT, that doens't exactly mean they are high in the sense that they are blinding. Agreed? They both might actually be low which is why I didn't get head beamed back.

Second point - Reflector HID blinds ppl. This I don't agree with. Some DO plainly yes. Some don't if aimed properly and have a good cutoff. If you disagree with my statement here then I guess we will agree to disagree. No more reason to pursue this on.

Third point - "just because you found out the asian counterparts use reflector hids doesnt mean its changed now and you can use pnp hids.
you should have gave the d2r kit a chance first if you want to compare it to old tl headlights". D2r kit would of cost me at least triple the cost of what I paid for in this kit. And yes I did get it much cheaper from Xenon Depot because they let me be the guinea pig for the accord Sedan and I promised to have a unbiased write up of their product. Plus I thought I would help the community out by putting up a detailed write up on how to do this.

Fourth point - "but don't be so defensive because when facts come to facts". I am only stating facts. What lies have I told? I have been upfront with everything and have pictures to show everything I have said. If I was lying about anything please let me know so I can correct it.

Again, I know you are not a hater cause I have had other conversations with you. You are well informed and very helpful, no doubt about that. But somethings I think we agree to disagree. :biggrin:

i mean, once i see garage pictures ill believe it.
im not saying its not possible for it to have a decent cut off because my cousin's rsx hid cut off was decent until he got projectors in there.

How about this. Can some one with a coupe and a sedan park beside each other, park 20ft away from a wall, and both turn on headlights so everyone can see difference. Both cars have halogen or both have HID. This will solve everyones problem...lol.

I guess this will never end. As spike said, we can agree to disagree. What we can agree on is we have accords and we love our cars. Hey, even if you are blinding oncoming traffic, **** em.

How about this. Can some one with a coupe and a sedan park beside each other, park 20ft away from a wall, and both turn on headlights so everyone can see difference. Both cars have halogen or both have HID. This will solve everyones problem...lol.

No contest. The accord coupe projection is better. Fact. But what you asked above isn't the question. The question was never which is better projector in the coupe or sedan reflector. The question is does the reflector in the sedan cause to much glare for oncoming traffic. So your comparision won't help for that case.

you guys are assuming too much, did anyone order a pair of those asian headlights yet? because the other thread everyone one was like "oh they're reflector headlights, they must be the same"

What are you talking about!? Dude, I have a friend working for Philippine Honda and he was the one who told me that they are D2R based, not 9006! I'm not saying it's the same.

What are you talking about!? Dude, I have a friend working for Philippine Honda and he was the one who told me that they are D2R based, not 9006! I'm not saying it's the same.

It is the same headlight but they are designed to accomodate D2R bulbs, which help reduce the glare of the HID from a reflector-based housing. The hid kits for the USDM Accords use 9006 bulbs and these don't have the glare-reducing feature D2R has. Therefore pnp hid kits for our accord have a higher chance of blinding on-coming traffic.
im just saying the reflectors maybe different, you wont know until you compare them next to each other.

im just saying the reflectors maybe different, you wont know until you compare them next to each other.

Based on what you quoted me, I'm saying that they look the same because they're the same body style. When I say different, what I meant is that the USDM accomodates a 9006 bulb while the asian accords accomodate a D2R bulb. Therefore making them different. If I confused you, I apologize.

I agree with you that maybe it might have a different reflector design but most of the glare reduction is done by the ceramic paint in the middle of the bulb as shown below:

http://www.hidbulbsource.com/sitebuilder/images/D2R_bulbs_componentsJpegprotected-228x211.jpg

http://www3.jetro.go.jp/cgi/ttppoas/an_dsp.cgi?keyid=1071221&seq=2

Trust me, I've research these things. I've gone through 2 sets of retrofits on my 6th gen accord (already discussed in other threads).

Based on what you quoted me, I'm saying that they look the same because they're the same body style. When I say different, what I meant is that the USDM accomodates a 9006 bulb while the asian accords accomodate a D2R bulb. Therefore making them different. If I confused you, I apologize.

I agree with you that maybe it might have a different reflector design but most of the glare reduction is done by the ceramic paint in the middle of the bulb as shown below:

http://www.hidbulbsource.com/sitebuilder/images/D2R_bulbs_componentsJpegprotected-228x211.jpg

http://www3.jetro.go.jp/cgi/ttppoas/an_dsp.cgi?keyid=1071221&seq=2

Trust me, I've research these things. I've gone through 2 sets of retrofits on my 6th gen accord (already discussed in other threads).

As I posted earlier it's not the case that "it might have a different reflector". It does have a different reflector. This was obvious within seconds of comparing photos of the Asian and North American models. And whether or not glare reduction is done by the D2R bulb is irrelevant.

Trust me, I've been an automotive lighting engineer for 25 years. The North American 2008 Accord sedan reflectors are not good candidates for pnp HID. Anyone who claims they are is in denial.

Its more tedious as there is very little room to work with and you MUST remove the bumper to do this correctly.

I agree with you that its tedious, my install didn't need the removal of the bumper as there was more than enough room to double-sided tape\velcro the ballasts in the compartment behind the bulbs (although I was using thinner prolumen ballasts) and zip-tie the igniters with wires.

First install took just over an hour, but took me just under 20 min on another accord sedan.

Ok, I just went out to figure out where the adjustments are made for the housing. Can't find them. Anybody know where the adjustments are. And yes I read the manual and it clearly states to take it back to Honda to do. No instructions. I read the 08 headlight adjustment PDF and that didn't help. Anybody know where the adjusters are?

This is the pdf I used.
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17701

There is no turn screw there. The adjustment knobs have to be somewhere.

Ok, I just went out to figure out where the adjustments are made for the housing. Can't find them. Anybody know where the adjustments are. And yes I read the manual and it clearly states to take it back to Honda to do. No instructions. I read the 08 headlight adjustment PDF and that didn't help. Anybody know where the adjusters are?

I don't know right now but isn't there like a hex screw? I'll try to peek tonight when I get home and let you know.

I agree with you that its tedious, my install didn't need the removal of the bumper as there was more than enough room to double-sided tape\velcro the ballasts in the compartment behind the bulbs (although I was using thinner prolumen ballasts) and zip-tie the igniters with wires.

First install took just over an hour, but took me just under 20 min on another accord sedan.

can you post pics of your install / light output? Which kit did you get?

Thanks.

I added everything I said I would add back to the first post so its easier for other ppl to find.

Added the pics of the lights after my reaim and added instruction on where the bolt is to reaim the lights as needed.

FYI... I actually think I aimed my lights lower then most cars out on the road. I was next to other cars and there focal point was out much further then mine.

spike, 35 or 55 watts? i've been trying to find it but i can't seem to. :dunno: i know you have 5000K bulbs, tho'...

that is a pretty decent cut off, similar to the rsx headlights with hids.

That is better than what i expected. Good job. To finalize my decision i need to find pix of an 08 sedan w/ D2R's to compare to a PNP. I know the D2R would reduce glare more and just wanna see how big of a difference that would be then i can make up my mind on which to go for as you know the D2R's are just about double the price of a pnp

Great Review!
Thank you for taking the time to post such a detailed DIY guide for the 08 Accord Sedan.

It was definitely nice to work with you. I'm glad to hear that you are happy with the overall results.

Stephen83: The kit used in this application is our 9006 5000k HID conversion kit. It is a 35W system. Please view this link:

http://www.kbcarstuff.com/Xtreme_Digital_HID_5000k_Xenon_HID_Conversion_Kits _p/xt-5k.htm

Regards,

Steve

Nice write up don't sweat the critic's your ride looks nice. it's Sedan!! not a coupe with the projectors. Clearly labeled at the top of the thread. Looks nice looking forward to installing on mine!

That is better than what i expected. Good job. To finalize my decision i need to find pix of an 08 sedan w/ D2R's to compare to a PNP. I know the D2R would reduce glare more and just wanna see how big of a difference that would be then i can make up my mind on which to go for as you know the D2R's are just about double the price of a pnp

I honestly do not think the D2R bulb will do that much as that is one of the main reasons I went with the Xenon Depot 9006 bulb. If you look at the close up pic of the housing I posted it has a blocker on the bottom part of the reflector. This does not allow light directly to go down to the bottom part of the reflector to reduce the light reflected in the upward direction at oncoming traffic. That in principle is what the D2R bulb does as well.

spike, 35 or 55 watts? i've been trying to find it but i can't seem to. :dunno: i know you have 5000K bulbs, tho'...

I used 35 Watt Ballast as I didn't think the 55 watt ballast was needed. 35 put out plenty enough. I thought I did add that information but will go back and add it to the orginal post if I didn't.

Thought I'd throw up comparison shots of the Accord sedan vs. Inspire headlights for no apparent reason...

Accord:
http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/izp/honda_accordsedan_ex5spdat_2008_exterior_headlight _640x480.jpg


Inspire:
http://www.hondanet.co.jp/home/navi/inspire/image/DSC07293.JPG

The ribs look different in the vertical pattern, as it looks like there are more in the Inspire. But that could just because of the angle of the first picture.

The ribs look different in the vertical pattern, as it looks like there are more in the Inspire. But that could just because of the angle of the first picture.

I couldn't find a decent pic of a US spec Accord at that same angle. Figured since you guys own these cars, someone could snap one at the same angle/distance and compare. :dunno:

I would, but my car is in the shop getting the steering column replaced.

Best I can do from what I have currently:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2585s.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2574.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2502.jpg

I am going to the Philippines this December, I was told that their 08 ACC0RD Sedan have projector headlights. If I were to buy these headlights would this fit my Accord Sedan 08?

But that could just because of the angle of the first picture.

I don't believe so -- I just checked my car. The main reflector has 12 or 14 vertical "ribs." All the pictures I found of cars with HIDs looks like your picture, many more ribs.

I was told that their 08 ACC0RD Sedan have projector headlights.

They don't -- check the web site.

I just checked the Phillipines website (hondaphil.com).
They confirm that the headlights are HID, but in all the pictures, the headlight housings are reflector; no projectors.

The ribs look different in the vertical pattern, as it looks like there are more in the Inspire. But that could just because of the angle of the first picture.

^^^ I agree. It seems that the inspire has more vertical lines. Another observation is that the high beams have a parking light on the top part. That would be more efficient that running DRL IMHO.

I am going to the Philippines this December, I was told that their 08 ACC0RD Sedan have projector headlights. If I were to buy these headlights would this fit my Accord Sedan 08?

They don't have projector headlights. Let us know how much these would run including all the hardware necessary. Good luck pare!

I just hope they would fit with the US Accord.

Added my final comments at the bottom of the first post about the kit itself from Xenon Depot.

Hi,

Glad to see that you are happy with your decision to upgrade your lighting to HID. It was a pleasure working with you as well.

Thanks for the praises about the customer service. We do our best to try and take care of our customer. Our goal is to offer our customers a quality product with a higher level of service.

Regards,

Steve

I hate to bring this thread alive from the dead but like some of you have already said, the Inspire reflector is definitely different than the USDM reflector. Did you guys notice what the cutoff looks like? You can easily tell from the reflector. The Inspire will have an extremely sharp \_\_ cutoff. Look closely, not only it has more vertical ribs to evenly disperse light but you can see the -\ design toward the lower part of the headlight. The USDM has more of the projector style cutoff or the step cutoff and it's not very sharp. That's why I'm never an advocate for PnP HIDs in reflector housings.

What is your point? That has already been established. I have already shown the cutoff for the US Sedan lights.

I know you have, just stating the point. no need to get so defensive.

Nice write-up Spikeitaudi!! It make a big difference to see the pictures and your notes for those who are planning the same installation. Good job!!:thmsup:

I know you have, just stating the point. no need to get so defensive.

Not defensive, just curious as to what the point was? I am all for bring up new things but this has been talked about to death in the above as you can see.

Spikeitaudi, Have you been flashed since the install?

And can you see further with the HIDs or is the immediate area just brighter? I almost hit a Bison last night and really want to do something to extend the range of my headlights. What i don't want is to lose my night vision for distant objects because the foreground is so bright.

Haven't been flashed once yet. Yes I can see further down the road as the beam patterm is pretty tight.

Glad to hear it =) Enjoy!

Nightawkcoupe - I am a bit tired to go out and reaim at this point and time. I will provide pics at a later time (So don't please bite my head off:D).

I find it funny that alot of the coupe owners are on here bashing a clearly labelled sedan HID install. Is it as good as the coupe projector's (that is not made for HID either, was already proved in a prior thread on driveraccord.net) Heck no. But is it as bad as the Xenons that were on the Lincoln 2 door coupe back in the day or the Acura TL that had reflector housings. No.

I'm not doing this to look cool or blind ppl. I want more light so when I drive up to Vermont when I go snowboarding I can see the deer at night better.

If you want more light, you would've gotten projectors. Reflectors do not extend out as far as projectors do. Aiming reflectors up to extend the range will blind everybody else on the road, which you don't want to do. Projectors can be aimed up much higher than reflectors due to sharp cutoff. Not to mention the WIDTH of the beam is very wide from projectors than from reflectors. This is an important factor especially for your application. You want to see the deer on the side of the road before they jump out in front of you. Projectors can do that, reflectors not as much.

Cheers,

P.S. 2nd Acura TL that use reflectors from factory, they use D2R bulbs, which have shields on the bulbs themselves to block glare. The reflectors themselves are specifically designed for HID. Apple orange...

Projector to me don't have enought cost justification. Not spending another 400-700 when I can spend $125 and have sufficent output. Are projectors better, absolutely. Are they worth the extra dollars compared to the reflectors. Not in my opinion. Also, the projectors for an Accord would not be OEM, but custom. I don't like oneoffs for these types of things.

Yes the old Acura TL's used reflectors from the factory (That was my point), They did use D2R bulbs, which I know have the shield which is why they are D2R (Reflector) and not DS2 bulbs. As far as specifically designed, ok. But I don't see them as better as they barely had a cutoff. The dispertion from the reflector was mediocre at best.

So to sum it up:

Projector are better. Hands Down. I have repeatedly said this in this post and others I have written in over and over.
Are they worth it in this application for the Honda Accord from a cost justification? Not in my mind. I don't get that much more for the large amount of money I would put out.

spikeitaudi,
I have just installed my 55 Watt, 5,000K HID Kit from Retro. Tomorrow I want to lower the headlights a bit. Is there one screw on both sides or does the screw by the washer fluid resivoir control both? I looked at the pictures in your install write up and it only shows the one side.

There is a screw on each side for each housing.

How sensitive are the screws? Is this something were a 1/4 of a turn lowers them a lot or is more like 2-3 turns?

Honestly I forgot. Just turn them on against the wall and turn. You will see how sensitive they are.

I see you have a 4-cylinder '08 Honda Accord. Have you had any of the "tell tale" 4-cylinder headlight dimming/flashing/blinking since you installed the HIDs?

I've heard that installing the HID "fixes" this default with the 08 Honda 4-cylinder design of the electrical system.

The blinking is most noticeable with the A/C on and normal driving.

If HID fixes this problem I am evaluating going this route. Thanks again.

The Xtreme kit that is installed in this vehicle uses a relay harness that powers the ballasts directly from the battery. This ensures that the ballasts always receive a constant 12V.

Steve

I see you have a 4-cylinder '08 Honda Accord. Have you had any of the "tell tale" 4-cylinder headlight dimming/flashing/blinking since you installed the HIDs?

I've heard that installing the HID "fixes" this default with the 08 Honda 4-cylinder design of the electrical system.

The blinking is most noticeable with the A/C on and normal driving.

If HID fixes this problem I am evaluating going this route. Thanks again.

Sorry just getting back to replying after I moved to my new home.

I have not had any dimming/flashing/blinking since the HIDs were installed.

Good Luck.

Congratulations on your move!

Steve

Thanks Steve. Accord has a new Garage to call home now. :)

Nice!

Nightawkcoupe - I'm not doing this to look cool or blind ppl. I want more light so when I drive up to Vermont when I go snowboarding I can see the deer at night better.

I recently installed a 35 Watt 4500K HID Kit in my coupe. I'm impressed by the sharp distinct cut-off line & the quality of the light, however I think as far as driving in areas where wildlife such as deer is concerned IMHO I think that the OEM system/bulbs are better. I'm impressed by the wider light path but when driving in very dark areas visibilty above the sharp cut-off line becomes a problem (it's almost pitch black). With the OEM system/bulbs you can at least see what's ahead of you alot higher albeit lower intensity light w/o blinding oncoming traffic.

The sharp cutoff is what you want ahead of you. So the beam pattern to the cutoff point is brighter.

Hi shogun,

Your OEM headlights allow a slight amount of light to bleed upwards to illuminate overhead signs. An aftermarket kit (if the bulbs are properly rebased) should literally replicate your vehicle's OEM beam pattern. Do you have one of our kits installed?

Steve

Steve (Xenon Depot)..I have no problem seeing traffic signs @ street level or overhead trafffic signs. What I have a problem with or maybe it's a perceived problem is driving on dark country roads which is heavily forested on both sides. I am impressed with the width & intensity of the light but I guess I'm just not used to the HID lights yet. It's kind of like turning up your dash lights all the way up at night and looking at your speedo. My headlights are properly adjusted (that's the 1st thing I checked). I think I just have to get used to the sharp cut-off line. Otherwise I'm impressed.

Hi Shogun,

Do you have one of our kits installed?

Steve

Hi Shogun,

This could be a result of an improperly rebased bulb. I know that other members of this board have compared beam pattern results of our kits vs others and many have found that the return wire being located in the wrong position has caused shadows in their beam pattern.

Steve

Ijust did the HID last night it took me about 30 minutes to completed the job
and didn't even have to remove the bumper( all you need is remove the inner wheel wells)

What a nice walkthrough on how to install them.:thmsup: I wish i had pics of when i did my retrofit.

Thank you.

Alvin is the man!

Hey Alvin.:wave: I am sure you remember me. I emailed you a few weeks ago asking for help with my HID installation. Well, finally its done!:thmsup: 6000K HID from HIDCanada (www.hidcanada.com) with relay harness on my 2008 Accord sedan:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8643/20102009113s.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8928/20102009114.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6021/20102009115.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/4404/20102009117.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2734/20102009118.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2692/21102009119.jpg

Haven't aimed my headlights at all and I haven't been flashed at by a single driver. I have been driving with my HIDs for the past 4 days.

Good job. Looks good. Glad the write up helped.

FYI: Bumper removal is totally unnecessary on both the sedan and coupe.

FYI: Bumper removal is totally unnecessary on both the sedan and coupe.

+1. The mechanic that installed HIDs on my car took off the front tires and fender liners in order for ease of installation. You can do it without taking off your tires as well but it is a little bit difficult getting both your hands inside, as Alvin mentioned in his OP.

As I posted earlier it's not the case that "it might have a different reflector". It does have a different reflector. This was obvious within seconds of comparing photos of the Asian and North American models. And whether or not glare reduction is done by the D2R bulb is irrelevant.

Trust me, I've been an automotive lighting engineer for 25 years. The North American 2008 Accord sedan reflectors are not good candidates for pnp HID. Anyone who claims they are is in denial.
Are they a better candidate for D2R? Is the shortcomings of the USDM reflector less so?

Thanks

I hate to bring this thread alive from the dead but like some of you have already said, the Inspire reflector is definitely different than the USDM reflector. Did you guys notice what the cutoff looks like? You can easily tell from the reflector. The Inspire will have an extremely sharp \_\_ cutoff. Look closely, not only it has more vertical ribs to evenly disperse light but you can see the -\ design toward the lower part of the headlight. The USDM has more of the projector style cutoff or the step cutoff and it's not very sharp. That's why I'm never an advocate for PnP HIDs in reflector housings.

Question. is it possible to replace the 08 sedan reflector bowl with that from an inspire. I am making the assumption that the lhd and rhd thing is accomplished with the molding that the reflector sits in and not the shape of the reflector itself. That would make for a relatively simple conversion to HID in US accord sedans. Not as cool as a projector but effective if the goal is better lighting.

Question. is it possible to replace the 08 sedan reflector bowl with that from an inspire. I am making the assumption that the lhd and rhd thing is accomplished with the molding that the reflector sits in and not the shape of the reflector itself. That would make for a relatively simple conversion to HID in US accord sedans. Not as cool as a projector but effective if the goal is better lighting.

No, it's the shape of the reflector itself that dictates the light pattern. Sorry!

No, it's the shape of the reflector itself that dictates the light pattern. Sorry!

I think you missed my point. Can I take an inspire reflector and replace my reflector to get acceptable HID. I doubt honda would have sprung for two different sets of tooling one for US and one for Asia ( again referring to the mounting plastic where the reflector sits) Tooling for plastic parts is not cheap. Again I am assuming the base that the reflector sits in is the same for US and Asia except for aiming of RH and LH drive vehicles. Basically I am wanting to take the left reflector in an inspire headlight and replace my right reflector with it. Just the metallic bowl and bulb shroud nothing else. Remember the outer housing is the same for both continents. If the inner plastic has the same diameter US and Asia... then what I am asking should be possible. Practical is the point of the question.

Based on what you quoted me, I'm saying that they look the same because they're the same body style. When I say different, what I meant is that the USDM accomodates a 9006 bulb while the asian accords accomodate a D2R bulb. Therefore making them different. If I confused you, I apologize.

I agree with you that maybe it might have a different reflector design but most of the glare reduction is done by the ceramic paint in the middle of the bulb as shown below:

http://www.hidbulbsource.com/sitebuilder/images/D2R_bulbs_componentsJpegprotected-228x211.jpg

http://www3.jetro.go.jp/cgi/ttppoas/an_dsp.cgi?keyid=1071221&seq=2

Trust me, I've research these things. I've gone through 2 sets of retrofits on my 6th gen accord (already discussed in other threads).

I am new to this mod, but I'm wondering if these bulbs used in place of the standard bulbs without any modification? Would I have to purchase any additional equipment?

I am new to this mod, but I'm wondering if these bulbs used in place of the standard bulbs without any modification? Would I have to purchase any additional equipment? A 9006 to D2R adaper and a 35 Watt Ballast for each bulb. Athough it would physicaly fit in the reflector, the HID bulb is longer than the original Haologen and will not focus properly causing glare to oncoming traffic.

We have done various experimentations using D2S/R bulbs for a retrofit application or OE application and out side of Europe the D2R bulb is not
required. The stripe on the D2R lamps helps hide the salts which would as parasitic images in the light dark transition area of the European Assymetric dip pattern. On a retrofit or DOT beam pattern (Your headlight) you do not have this light dark transition requirement therefore the D2S bulb is just fine for any application.

Our D2S bulbs are laser aligned to ensure proper focal point positioning thus resulting in optically correct beam patterns.

Steve

We have done various experimentations using D2S/R bulbs for a retrofit application or OE application and out side of Europe the D2R bulb is not
required. The stripe on the D2R lamps helps hide the salts which would as parasitic images in the light dark transition area of the European Assymetric dip pattern. On a retrofit or DOT beam pattern (Your headlight) you do not have this light dark transition requirement therefore the D2S bulb is just fine for any application.

Our D2S bulbs are laser aligned to ensure proper focal point positioning thus resulting in optically correct beam patterns.

Steve



Steve,
Does that mean that your D2R retrofit kit will NOT blind oncomming when installed in a sedan? You've got my interest.

BTW, found this on your site:D2S Retrofit $119 (http://www.kbcarstuff.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VDP%2D4K%2DD2S&CartID=1) However, when I entered the coupon code nothing changed, is this item discounted for DA members?

ksills,

We do not carry a D2R retrofit kit. What I am saying is that your headlights allow a slight amount of light to bleed upwards. It would make no difference whether you use a D2R or D2S bulb in an HID kit. Both bulbs will function pretty much the same.

I can offer you a discount on the Volt D2S kit as well. To confirm though, this kit will not work in your unmodified Accord headlights.

Steve

Our D2S bulbs are laser aligned to ensure proper focal point positioning thus resulting in optically correct beam patterns.

Steve

Don't forget to add that there's still significant glare over and above the correct beam pattern due to the size of the arc of the HID burner. Just because you've somehow managed to get the arc centred on where the halogen filament should be centred doesn't mean these HID kits are a good or a safe idea, as you well know.

Steve,
Does that mean that your D2R retrofit kit will NOT blind oncomming when installed in a sedan? You've got my interest.

BTW, found this on your site:D2S Retrofit $119 (http://www.kbcarstuff.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VDP%2D4K%2DD2S&CartID=1) However, when I entered the coupon code nothing changed, is this item discounted for DA members?

They will still be blinding. There will still be glare. There's no way around the fact that HID burners are totally unsuitable, regardless of what the vendors claim, for halogen housings.

Markus,

No one said that there won't be glare. Your stock headlights allow light to bleed upwards to illuminate overhead signs which would constitute glare as well even when being used with the stock halogen bulbs.

For you to state that an HID kit would have no functional benefit when installed in a Honda Accord is a statement I disagree with. In no way am I saying that installing an HID kit in a reflective Accord headlight will yield the same results as a projector retrofit. I am however saying that the stock headlights do a nice job keeping glare down to a minimum with our HID kits and there IS a functional benefit to installing them.

Steve


Just got this review today from a Honda civic owner:

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2699600&highlight=xenon+depot

ksills,

We do not carry a D2R retrofit kit. What I am saying is that your headlights allow a slight amount of light to bleed upwards. It would make no difference whether you use a D2R or D2S bulb in an HID kit. Both bulbs will function pretty much the same.

I can offer you a discount on the Volt D2S kit as well. To confirm though, this kit will not work in your unmodified Accord headlights.

Steve

Let me see if I understand you correctly.
The D2S bulbs in the kit will be the best result possible in the sedan reflector,
however, the kit will not fit my accord sedan? :dunno:

I am pretty sure what he meant is it WILL fit as I know others on here have put the Volt kit on their Accord Sedan.

Markus,

No one said that there won't be glare. Your stock headlights allow light to bleed upwards to illuminate overhead signs which would constitute glare as well even when being used with the stock halogen bulbs.

For you to state that an HID kit would have no functional benefit when installed in a Honda Accord is a statement I disagree with. In no way am I saying that installing an HID kit in a reflective Accord headlight will yield the same results as a projector retrofit. I am however saying that the stock headlights do a nice job keeping glare down to a minimum with our HID kits and there IS a functional benefit to installing them.

Steve


Just got this review today from a Honda civic owner:

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2699600&highlight=xenon+depot

I happen to have looked at isocandela diagrams of most headlights using HID kits and I can categorically state that there is glare.

Yes, stock headlights project a little light upwards and to the right. This is not considered glare by those of us in the profession because it does not directly interfere with oncoming traffic. This is in direct contrast to the glare caused by HID kits.

The simple fact remains that HID kits put light where the designers of the halogen lamp never intended it to be and this is seen as glare.

Were you aware that, when dealing with low beam headlamps, adding high output like-bulb types, say 100w halogen bulbs in halogen housings, or the so-called 55w HID bulbs in HID housings, there will be no increase in seeing distance with the car on level ground? This is by design. Any increase in seeing distance with HID kits in halogen housings is purely down to glare. It's simple physics and no matter what you claim you can't change that.

You may not have said there won't be glare but I couldn't see where you claimed there would be. Why not tell potential customers the whole truth, as inconvenient as that may be to your company's bottom line?

I stand by my claim, and the claim of all my industry colleagues (those of us who design headlights for a living) that any perceived functional benefit of aftermarket HID kits from ANY vendor (increased seeing distance) is more than offset by blinding glare to oncoming traffic. Feel free to provide proper scientific evidence to prove me wrong.

And just for the record, my arguments about HID kits in reflector halogen lights apply just as much to projector halogen lights. A sharp cutoff in no way means there's no glare.

Edit: Just looked at the thread you posted regarding the Civic. Can you really not see the glare above the high-intensity area of those headlamps????? :dunno:


Just went to your web site: In the commitment to product quality section you state:

Many low cost HID kits being sold in the market are now using DC ballasts. These ballasts do not have rectifiers to convert DC to AC thus DC power is being supplied to the bulb.

This is total jibberish. First, rectifiers convert AC to DC and NOT the other way around. Second, D1 and D2 HID burners REQUIRE AC current. Supplying DC current will fry them in extremely short order. Wow, just wow! :rolleyes:

Just prior to your above frightening statement you state:

Many HID Kit vendors often do not understand the the technical aspect of the product they are selling.


Hmmmmm ..... et, tu, Brutus ?

Mark,
You seem to be the Maven on this subject, what is your impression of the HIR bulbs?

spikeitaudi,

Have you been flashed by oncoming drivers or pulled over for the HID conversion kit that you have installed in your reflective headlights?

Markus,

There obviously will be some glare when installing an HID conversion kit in the headlight as the HID kit cannot prevent your headlights from having light bleed. I have never said that there will not be glare. The only thing that I have said is that based on my personal experience and those of my customers installing a proper HID kit will have a functional benefit with minimum distraction to other drivers (depending on the vehicle and kit). You will find hundreds if not thousands of members on this board that have installed an aftermarket HID kit and could not be happier with the results. you state that "there will be no increase in seeing distance with the car on level ground" however you will find many members on this board that will disagree with you. Perhaps some of the accord sedan owners that have installed an HID kit and have actual experience with the product can step in here so we can get some concrete feedback.

While you may not like or agree with the products that we sell I do not appreciate being called untruthful.

I am quite aware that HID bulbs require AC current which is why we are bringing to light the fact that some vendors are selling DC ballasts that do not convert DC to AC . As a result, DC power is supplied directly to the bulb thus causing damage to the bulbs electrodes and creating a very short lifespan. That is why you're seeing some vendors selling HID kits for 29.99.

I can clearly see some glare in the Civic thread that I posted. Again, I did not state that there is no glare. I also see that the customer that installed the kit stated the following from his ACTUAL experience with the product:

Personally, I have always been against these kits. But after replacing my S2k with an Si sedan, the difference in lighting was so great, I had to do something. I researched the different options and was set on a retrofit until a co-worker with a new Civic followed me into work one morning. I could tell his lighting was some sort of HID set up and it wasn't annoying to have him behind me. I assumed he had a retro fit. After talking to a few people, I was able to track him down and found out he had installed the Xenon Depot kit. I started to look into this option, and found that although the light output isn't as great as a projector set up, the current Civic HL handles the light output well and doesn't have the issues that some other cars have. For <$300 I decided to give this a try.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I ordered the kit. I have had many poor experiences with after market electronics, and working in the automotive field, I see all the testing that goes into original designs. However, I was very impressed with this kit. I had a supply of zipper tube and cushion tape ready to use, but after receiving the kit, I decided it wasn't necessary. So far, I am 100% pleased with it.

This morning was the first time driving my car in the dark and the improvement was great. My lights are a little lower then OE, but the range is exceeded and there is a lot more light. On wet roads the light doesn't seem to scatter as much. It still isn't as good as my S2k, but on the Civic HL it gives me about 75% of the benefit for 30% of the cost.


Perhaps you should take the time to read through the 7 pages in this thread and the many others of people that have actual experience with the product installed and are quite happy with the results.

In the words of the OP, Those that don’t believe in the Sedan HID don’t need to read on. Those that are interested, have fun reading.

Steve

spikeitaudi,

Have you been flashed by oncoming drivers or pulled over for the HID conversion kit that you have installed in your reflective headlights?

Markus,

There obviously will be some glare when installing an HID conversion kit in the headlight as the HID kit cannot prevent your headlights from having light bleed. I have never said that there will not be glare. The only thing that I have said is that based on my personal experience and those of my customers installing a proper HID kit will have a functional benefit with minimum distraction to other drivers (depending on the vehicle and kit). You will find hundreds if not thousands of members on this board that have installed an aftermarket HID kit and could not be happier with the results. you state that "there will be no increase in seeing distance with the car on level ground" however you will find many members on this board that will disagree with you. Perhaps some of the accord sedan owners that have installed an HID kit and have actual experience with the product can step in here so we can get some concrete feedback.

While you may not like or agree with the products that we sell I do not appreciate being called untruthful.

I am quite aware that HID bulbs require AC current which is why we are bringing to light the fact that some vendors are selling DC ballasts that do not convert DC to AC . As a result, DC power is supplied directly to the bulb thus causing damage to the bulbs electrodes and creating a very short lifespan. That is why you're seeing some vendors selling HID kits for 29.99.

I can clearly see some glare in the Civic thread that I posted. Again, I did not state that there is no glare. I also see that the customer that installed the kit stated the following from his ACTUAL experience with the product:






Perhaps you should take the time to read through the 7 pages in this thread and the many others of people that have [b]actual[b/] experience with the product installed and are quite happy with the results.

In the words of the OP,

Steve

Still going strong and have not been flashed once since I installed them.

Regards,

Spikeitaudi

Not being flashed means nothing. We have done tests where oncoming drivers in the face of full high beams never flash back.

spikeitaudi,

Have you been flashed by oncoming drivers or pulled over for the HID conversion kit that you have installed in your reflective headlights?

Markus,

There obviously will be some glare when installing an HID conversion kit in the headlight as the HID kit cannot prevent your headlights from having light bleed. I have never said that there will not be glare. The only thing that I have said is that based on my personal experience and those of my customers installing a proper HID kit will have a functional benefit with minimum distraction to other drivers (depending on the vehicle and kit). You will find hundreds if not thousands of members on this board that have installed an aftermarket HID kit and could not be happier with the results. you state that "there will be no increase in seeing distance with the car on level ground" however you will find many members on this board that will disagree with you. Perhaps some of the accord sedan owners that have installed an HID kit and have actual experience with the product can step in here so we can get some concrete feedback.

While you may not like or agree with the products that we sell I do not appreciate being called untruthful.

I am quite aware that HID bulbs require AC current which is why we are bringing to light the fact that some vendors are selling DC ballasts that do not convert DC to AC . As a result, DC power is supplied directly to the bulb thus causing damage to the bulbs electrodes and creating a very short lifespan. That is why you're seeing some vendors selling HID kits for 29.99.

I can clearly see some glare in the Civic thread that I posted. Again, I did not state that there is no glare. I also see that the customer that installed the kit stated the following from his ACTUAL experience with the product:






Perhaps you should take the time to read through the 7 pages in this thread and the many others of people that have actual experience with the product installed and are quite happy with the results.

In the words of the OP,

Steve

Your customers are satisfied because they don't know what to look for in terms of whether or not their headlights are blinding others. They may be able to see more but they don't care that it's at the expense of oncoming drivers. This is the very reason for the crackdown in the US and is teh very reason that a Canadian crackdown is imminent.

Those who disagree with me about seeing distance either don't understand the very simple physics of low-beam headlights or don't understand (either because they can't or won't) that the increased seeing distance is glare. This is a basic fact taught to every aspiring lighting engineer. Under what qualifications do you dispute this?

You state now, once I entered the discussion, that there will be glare. I think I was thorough when I went back through your prior posts and your web site and I could find nowhere where you warned potential customers about glare. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

It's my experience that HID burners fed a DC signal will last no more than 5 minutes or so. How any vendor could supposedly get away with selling so-called DC HID ballasts and have burners last more than 5 minutes is, well, strange. This, coupled with your odd reference to "DC to AC rectification", I do wonder what your credentials are? Again, no offense intended.

Perhaps you can answer this question. Do you know that there is no way to determine absence of glare by simply looking at the beam pattern on the road, on a wall, or by whether or not oncoming drivers flash their lights at you?

I'm interested in your burner supplier. You indicate your source uses Philips burners but my contacts at Philips state that this is not true. They don't sell their burners to any manufacturer of illegal HID kits. Hmmm.

Not being flashed means nothing. We have done tests where oncoming drivers in the face of full high beams never flash back.

Marcus,

"Your customers are satisfied because they don't know what to look for in terms of whether or not their headlights are blinding others. They may be able to see more but they don't care that it's at the expense of oncoming drivers. This is the very reason for the crackdown in the US and is teh very reason that a Canadian crackdown is imminent." Again, as I have stated I have others that have looked at my HID over the period since I have had them installed and nobody has said they are blinding as they are looking head on.

I am not going to get into with you as we had this discussion before and we agreed to disagree. :) The simple fact is he asked me a question and I anwsered it.

Regards,

Spikeitaudi

Hi Mark,

Clearly we've got varying viewpoints here. You've made your opinions about installing an HID kit very clear in the beginning of this post. Since then, many members that have installed our product (or others) in a reflective headlight have posted that they are happy with the results achieved (in this post and others). You've clearly chosen to disregard this feedback as perhaps these members are not "aspiring lighting engineers." Perhaps you can contact these forum members and explain to them that their feedback is invalid as they don't understand basic physics. No offence intended.

Your point about rectifiers is well noted and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to point that out to me. I will make sure to correct immediately.

Philips North America does not sell their burners to any manufacturer of illegal HID kits. Philips in Asia does though. Hmmmm...... In fact, why don't you purchase some rebased Philips bulbs so that your friend can inspect. I would be more than happy to cut you a deal.

You've made your opinion of the product, the functionality, and our business ethics very clear in the last couple of threads. As you most likely know, unethical business practices and/or product dissatisfaction come out extremely quick on these forums so clearly most members on this board feel quite differently about the product functionality and our business ethics.

Steve

Marcus,

"Your customers are satisfied because they don't know what to look for in terms of whether or not their headlights are blinding others. They may be able to see more but they don't care that it's at the expense of oncoming drivers. This is the very reason for the crackdown in the US and is teh very reason that a Canadian crackdown is imminent." Again, as I have stated I have others that have looked at my HID over the period since I have had them installed and nobody has said they are blinding as they are looking head on.

I am not going to get into with you as we had this discussion before and we agreed to disagree. :) The simple fact is he asked me a question and I anwsered it.

Regards,

Spikeitaudi

Agreed. Which is why I didn't reply specifically to your post (I didn't quote your post). :D

Hi Mark,

Clearly we've got varying viewpoints here. You've made your opinions about installing an HID kit very clear in the beginning of this post. Since then, many members that have installed our product (or others) in a reflective headlight have posted that they are happy with the results achieved (in this post and others). You've clearly chosen to disregard this feedback as perhaps these members are not "aspiring lighting engineers." Perhaps you can contact these forum members and explain to them that their feedback is invalid as they don't understand basic physics. No offence intended.

Your point about rectifiers is well noted and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to point that out to me. I will make sure to correct immediately.

Philips North America does not sell their burners to any manufacturer of illegal HID kits. Philips in Asia does though. Hmmmm...... In fact, why don't you purchase some rebased Philips bulbs so that your friend can inspect. I would be more than happy to cut you a deal.

You've made your opinion of the product, the functionality, and our business ethics very clear in the last couple of threads. As you most likely know, unethical business practices and/or product dissatisfaction come out extremely quick on these forums so clearly most members on this board feel quite differently about the product functionality and our business ethics.

Steve

Steve, a very well written and thoughful post. Thankyou.

I'll bow out of this thread now. But I will ask, again, the following question of you.

Perhaps you can answer this question. Do you know that there is no way to determine absence of glare by simply looking at the beam pattern on the road, on a wall, or by whether or not oncoming drivers flash their lights at you?

I will also ask if you are going to inform your customers on your web site that your product may cause glare, as some of your competitors do?

Markus,

"Glare" occurs when the visual field of brightness is greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted. Glare can be attributed to eye colour, headlight design, roadway design, cataracts, scratched eyeglasses, etc.. In fact, there have been numerous "glare" complaints against headlights that comply with FMVSS108 (OEM HID headlights).

Steve

Markus,

"Glare" occurs when the visual field of brightness is greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted. Glare can be attributed to eye colour, headlight design, roadway design, cataracts, scratched eyeglasses, etc.. In fact, there have been numerous "glare" complaints against headlights that comply with FMVSS108 (OEM HID headlights).

Steve

You are of course quite correct on all counts. I would also add light colour to your list. It's well established that 4100K has less glare than 5000K, 5000K has less glare than 6000K, etc. There's a good reason that OEMs never provide light of 5000K+ - glare on wet roads. Just because glare can be caused by things other than headlight and bulb technology doesn't mean we should throw caution to the wayside when trying to justify the sale of less than wholesome lighting technology, especially when we know better. And even if there was a way to construct a HID kit with the same size light source as a halogen filament the kits of 5000K+ would create additional glare all by themselves.

Interesting and rather telling, though, that you still refuse to answer my simple questions. What are you afraid of?

Markus,

Afraid? Are you 5?

If you feel the need/interest to discuss the physiology of glare and it's causative factors I would suggest starting a new thread named just that. This thread is an unbiased review from a driveaccord member about his experiences with a product. Your contribution to the thread has made your standpoint clear enough and quite frankly hindering on a member's right to post an opinion. :headbash:

Steve

Mod stepping in for a moment.

There has been quite a bit of good information presented here, forum members are free to make up their minds based on their understanding of the information presented/debated from both sides of the fence with respect to the PnP HID kits.

Although I must request that the discussion be kept strictly at a technical level, since this discussion has strayed into comments that border on insinuation of integrity issues.

At least one poster has already taken the high road of "Agree to Disagree", I urge everyone who respond in this thread to keep this in mind, regardless how passionate one may feel about this particular subject.

Mod stepping in for a moment.

There has been quite a bit of good information presented here, forum members are free to make up their mind based on their understanding of the information presented/debated from both sides of the fence with respect to the PnP HID kits.

Although I must request that the discussion be kept strictly at a technical level, since this discussion has strayed into comments that border on insinuation of integrity issues.

At least one poster has already taken the high road of "Agree to Disagree", I urge everyone who respond in this thread to keep this in mind, regardless how passionate one may feel about this particular subject.

Thank you Aviography. :) Lets move on.

Well, today I took the plunge, I ordered the D2S 9006 kit. I was never a supporter of HID's in housings designed for Halogen bulbs, particularly the sedan's relector housing, however, even the coupe's projectors were not designed for HID's. I had originaly tried the 9012's since they were basicaly Halogens, but produced more light. Well using these bulbs are a pain in the A$$, first you have to find them, then you have to file them down to make them fit. I was really dreading having to replace one. I have done a little research and what I learned was that OEM HIDs that have reflector housings use D2S bulbs. Now that said, reflector housings designed for Halogens will produce considerable glare when used with a traditional rebased D2R bulb, Although less than most HID conversion bulbs. Steve at XenonDepot has a modified D2R/S bulb that has a focal point closer to a Halogen Bulb and will therefore have the least amount of glare using HID bulbs in a Halogen reflector. Thank you Steve!

Ksills,

Please post pictures and your thoughts on the modified D2R/S bulbs when you have tested them. I am very interested in hearing your results.

Regards,

Spikeitaudi

Steve, looking back on my posts I see I got a little hot under the collar and took matters to a personal level when I should not have done. No excuses for such words, just an apology from me to you.

Glad I could rectify the "DC to AC rectification" mis-wording on your web site for for, if you'll pardon the pun. :D

Well, today I took the plunge, I ordered the D2S 9006 kit. I was never a supporter of HID's in housings designed for Halogen bulbs, particularly the sedan's relector housing, however, even the coupe's projectors were not designed for HID's. I had originaly tried the 9012's since they were basicaly Halogens, but produced more light. Well using these bulbs are a pain in the A$$, first you have to find them, then you have to file them down to make them fit. I was really dreading having to replace one. I have done a little research and what I learned was that OEM HIDs that have reflector housings use D2S bulbs. Now that said, reflector housings designed for Halogens will produce considerable glare when used with a traditional rebased D2R bulb, Although less than most HID conversion bulbs. Steve at XenonDepot has a modified D2R/S bulb that has a focal point closer to a Halogen Bulb and will therefore have the least amount of glare using HID bulbs in a Halogen reflector. Thank you Steve!


Please post pics (and I promise not to be negative about them).

Steve, looking back on my posts I see I got a little hot under the collar and took matters to a personal level when I should not have done. No excuses for such words, just an apology from me to you.

Glad I could rectify the "DC to AC rectification" mis-wording on your web site for for, if you'll pardon the pun. :D

Markus, you always bring alot of knowledge to the table which is why I like reading your posts and learning. I hate message boards in that sense that things many time get taken out of context in the bad sense. And stuff just blows up. In the end we are all here to help one another as one big Honda Accord Family. :)

Ksills,

Please post pictures and your thoughts on the modified D2R/S bulbs when you have tested them. I am very interested in hearing your results.

Regards,

Spikeitaudi

Will do, however, I have to wait till snow and cold temps go away. Still waiting to feel my fingers.

Will do, however, I have to wait till snow and cold temps go away. Still waiting to feel my fingers.

I hear you on that one. :)

Markus,

I appreciate that. Apology accepted :-)

ksills - My pleasure. Your kit will ship out right away. Given the time of year though please allow an extra couple of days for delivery.

I hope you guys all have a Merry Christmas and enjoy spending time with your loved ones.

Regards,

Steve

Well, while maybe mis-informed regarding the purpose of rectifying diodes.... there are DC HID ballasts and DC HID bulbs, and they were at one time available on a production vehicle in the NA market.
Ever hear of the Lincoln Mark VIII? OE included DC HID lamps taking a now phased out HID-9500 bulb (I believe that was the part number). DC is cheaper to produce, but as already alluded to, more difficult to control reliably. It does exist in the after market. Ultimately the AC technology won out over DC in the OE field, just like BluRay won out over HD DVD in the Hi-Def DVD market.

Unless I am mistaken I believe that the Mark VIII was the first car to have HID headlights.

Unless I am mistaken I believe that the Mark VIII was the first car to have HID headlights.

It was the first vehicle in NA, that is correct. Came with DC output HID. So point proven that it exists, was applied even in OE, and can work very well when the correct engineering is involved. These systems spur up because the cost of production is that much cheaper, but the front end development is more costly than AC.

Please post pics (and I promise not to be negative about them).
Mark,
Will do. My understanding of automotive lighting comes from what I have read from contributors like yourself. When I started driving in the 60's, cars used tungsten bulbs and I remember when halogen bulbs first came out, at that time you could either use sealed beam halogen bulbs or a housing in the shape of a sealed beam with a replaceable bulb (H4). Then came better housings, but still most cars today are using halogen headlights, a design that is over 40 years old. But I digress. I will look forward to your feedback.

Thanks,

Keith

Mark,
Will do. My understanding of automotive lighting comes from what I have read from contributors like yourself. When I started driving in the 60's, cars used tungsten bulbs and I remember when halogen bulbs first came out, at that time you could either use sealed beam halogen bulbs or a housing in the shape of a sealed beam with a replaceable bulb (H4). Then came better housings, but still most cars today are using halogen headlights, a design that is over 40 years old. But I digress. I will look forward to your feedback.

Thanks,

Keith

Most cars still use halogen because of cost and because a good designed halogen light (low beam) can reach the maximum seeing distance allowed by law. According to predictions made some seven years ago we were supposed to have seen HID being used in > 60% of all low beams today. It's the cost of HID, and the really limited advantage of HID over halogen, that has caused this prediction to be wrong. I see HID being phased out over the next several years, being replaced by LED. I still see halogen as being the dominant light source for at least the next 5 years in North America.

If I compare the low beams of my Accord with my current G37X, my previous M35X, and my current 911, the latter 3 of which have HID, I can see no further down the road with the other cars than I can with the Accord. And this is the way things are supposed to be. The other three cars have a much wider beam and also put more light directly in front of the car. The latter feature is not necessarily a good thing (in fact it's really not a good thing at all).

I can put the so-called 55W HID (I say so-called because I've never tested any that draw more than 42-45 watts, though to be fair the latest I tested was at 8 months ago) in any of my HID equipped cars and I can see no further down the road than I can with the OEM capsules and ballasts. Again this is expected behavior.

I'll stop here and await your photos.

Markus,

I appreciate that. Apology accepted :-)

ksills - My pleasure. Your kit will ship out right away. Given the time of year though please allow an extra couple of days for delivery.

I hope you guys all have a Merry Christmas and enjoy spending time with your loved ones.

Regards,

Steve

Steve,
A question about the wires. As you will see in the attached picture, there is a short harness with what looks like it wood be an extension cable for a stock headlight (9006) bulb. (Black and white wires) Do I need it for something? What about the grommet that surrounds it?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4253303233_fa1ea03c26_b.jpg

Hi Keith,

You would only need to use this harness for 2 reasons:

1) If your vehicle has a dust cover on the back of the headlight which it does not.
2) If you were not using a relay harness (which you are)

For your application this piece of wiring is not going to be used.

Steve

Hi Keith,

You would only need to use this harness for 2 reasons:

1) If your vehicle has a dust cover on the back of the headlight which it does not.
2) If you were not using a relay harness (which you are)

For your application this piece of wiring is not going to be used.

Steve

So it would be safe to remove the grommet and the harness?

You can remove the grommet but why would you remove the harness? YOu are using the relay harness so you need that.

You can remove the grommet but why would you remove the harness? YOu are using the relay harness so you need that.
spikeitaudi,
No, see Steve's reply, the harness is only used if no using the relay.

Got it. My bulbs didn't come with that extra harness and I remember pluggin everything in on my kit so that was why I was confused as to why you have an extenstion harness male and female end.

You got the modified bulbs. Thats why you have the extra harness. I have that extra harness on my Philip H11 Bulbs on my Honda Pilot kit.

We added in that harness as some people preferred not to use the complete relay harness and wanted to power the ballasts directly from the OEM wiring.

Steve

We added in that harness as some people preferred not to use the complete relay harness and wanted to power the ballasts directly from the OEM wiring.

Steve

I am at a lose to understand why anyone would NOT install with a harness. Let's say you install the HID ballast directly to where the low beam halogen bulb is connected. Some vehicles might be are able to power up HID system normally without problems at install, but over time it will not last. Startup current for HID Lights is 13 amps per ballast, compared to 7 amps for halogen. Your factory wiring system is designed for a halogen based headlight which draws 7 amps of current at startup and 4.5 amps continuous load. Over time, connectors, multifunction switch, headlight switch, wiring and fuse holders will slowly degrade because of heat buildup. These components are very expensive to replace. This type of damage could have been avoided with a relay wire harness. With the relay harness power is drawn directly from your battery protecting your factory wiring and expensive ballast. Is it worth the risk of a major repair, which by the way, would not be covered under waranty, to just plug and pray? :dunno:

Here's my 2 cents worth:

1. Yes the start-up current is higher than halogen, but it drops very quickly (within a second, or less) to similar current draw as halogen, and then a few seconds later it's down to much less than halogen bulbs would draw. So this peak in-rush current is very short lived, I am convinced the wiring will handle this very short term draw just fine even in the long term.

2. As for your other concerns on connectors, multifunction switch, headlight switch, fuse holder etc., some of these components (eg. headlight switch) won't even see any of the current being drawn by the headlights at all, ALL modern Honda Accords use relays from the factory to switch power to the headlights, your headlight/multi-function switches only switch a couple hundred of milliamps max to energize the coil of the relay. Even the components that do see the current (such as the fuse holder), the short time frame where the current is a bit high is unlikely to have any long term effect on them, looking at this another way, if there is truly a problem, then the fuse holder (carrying a 10 amp fuse) is way under-designed since the 10 amp fuse will survive (very) short duration current draw that is quite a bit higher than the stamped rating on the fuse, the fuse holder needs to sustain this overage as well.

Lastly, halogen bulbs are pure DC resistive devices, the pure continuous DC current is as bad if not worse to cause damage to relay contacts or fuse holders, this is why that if you look at the ratings for any switch, it will often say XXX amps at YYY VAC and then a separate rating for VDC, the current and voltage ratings for the DC portion will ALWAYS be noticeably lower than for the AC voltage/current, precisely that the contacts are "damaged" more by DC voltage/current than AC.

Now I am not saying the HID ballasts are AC devices, they are probably not, they will use switching power supply internally to make the DC voltage into high frequency AC voltage in order to eventually produce the high AC output voltage to ignite the arc in the HID capsule. In any case their current draw isn't likely pure continious DC but high frequency pulsed DC draw, again reducing the damaging effect a pure continous DC draw would cause.

At the end of the day, I have decided not to use additional relay/harness, I ALWAYS drive with the headlights on so that's two on/off cycles almost daily, it has been over two years since I installed the HID kit, and I have yet to notice any signs of problems or issues.

My believe is that the only likely item to fail as a direct result of not using the relay/harness is the actual Honda relay that switches power to the headlights in a factory configuration, it won't bother me to just change out that relay if it did fail on me, and ONLY then I will come back here on DA to let everyone know that I was wrong. :yes:

Here's my 2 cents worth:

1. Yes the start-up current is higher than halogen, but it drops very quickly (within a second, or less) to similar current draw as halogen, and then a few seconds later it's down to much less than halogen bulbs would draw. So this peak in-rush current is very short lived, I am convinced the wiring will handle this very short term draw just fine even in the long term.

2. As for your other concerns on connectors, multifunction switch, headlight switch, fuse holder etc., some of these components (eg. headlight switch) won't even see any of the current being drawn by the headlights at all, ALL modern Honda Accords use relays from the factory to switch power to the headlights, your headlight/multi-function switches only switch a couple hundred of milliamps max to energize the coil of the relay. Even the components that do see the current (such as the fuse holder), the short time frame where the current is a bit high is unlikely to have any long term effect on them, looking at this another way, if there is truly a problem, then the fuse holder (carrying a 10 amp fuse) is way under-designed since the 10 amp fuse will survive (very) short duration current draw that is quite a bit higher than the stamped rating on the fuse, the fuse holder needs to sustain this overage as well.

Lastly, halogen bulbs are pure DC resistive devices, the pure continuous DC current is as bad if not worse to cause damage to relay contacts or fuse holders, this is why that if you look at the ratings for any switch, it will often say XXX amps at YYY VAC and then a separate rating for VDC, the current and voltage ratings for the DC portion will ALWAYS be noticeably lower than for the AC voltage/current, precisely that the contacts are "damaged" more by DC voltage/current than AC.

Now I am not saying the HID ballasts are AC devices, they are probably not, they will use switching power supply internally to make the DC voltage into high frequency AC voltage in order to eventually produce the high AC output voltage to ignite the arc in the HID capsule. In any case their current draw isn't likely pure continious DC but high frequency pulsed DC draw, again reducing the damaging effect a pure continous DC draw would cause.

At the end of the day, I have decided not to use additional relay/harness, I ALWAYS drive with the headlights on so that's two on/off cycles almost daily, it has been over two years since I installed the HID kit, and I have yet to notice any signs of problems or issues.

My believe is that the only likely item to fail as a direct result of not using the relay/harness is the actual Honda relay that switches power to the headlights in a factory configuration, it won't bother me to just change out that relay if it did fail on me, and ONLY then I will come back here on DA to let everyone know that I was wrong. :yes:


I see you have 7th Gen and I have read many 8th Gen owners complaining about blinking headlights, therefore for what it's worth, I would sooner power the lights directly from my battery. Maybe not as big a problem for you, not worth the risk for me. :yes:

I own a honda accord 2009 (inspire) in Brazil are all Japanese accord, well, mine came with HID 4300K bulb, but would like to know if I can just replace the bulbs to 6000K, because my car has ballasts for HID Or it is not possible?Someone Help me

I own a honda accord 2009 (inspire) in Brazil are all Japanese accord, well, mine came with HID 4300K bulb, but would like to know if I can just replace the bulbs to 6000K, because my car has ballasts for HID Or it is not possible?Someone Help me

See my response to this exact question in the thread you started about it here (http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41481).

Okay, all the parts arrived :banana:, thanks Steve, anyone near Rego Park Queens who'd like to help this old man install this kit? :wave:

I can't physically help you out but if you need me to call you to discuss anything please let me know and I will gladly do so.

Steve

Okay, all the parts arrived :banana:, thanks Steve, anyone near Rego Park Queens who'd like to help this old man install this kit? :wave:

Use my write up. Will take alot of the guessing game out.

Use my write up. Will take alot of the guessing game out.
Since it was a nice day, I thiught I would try. Cyanide came over as he wanted to put his HID's into his Gen7. Going to wait on mine for more assistance as too difficult for "ME" to gain access to my low beams. I know how, just too difficult. Anyway, we did his Gen7 as access to his lights were straight forward. Not bad at all and much less room under the hood of the Gen7. Oh well, damn inconvenient Honda! Cyanide's install went pretty easy, but I'll let him tell it in another thread as it was a Gen7 and a RetroSolutions kit.

skills,
You can also install the kit by going in through the inner fender wheel well as long a you have a good jack.

Steve

Nice :thmsup:

I bought a HID kit a while back, but I've been too busy/lazy to install it.

Original posted on 09-14-2008, 06:24 PM.
I still haven't installed the damn kit!!! :scratch::withstupi:blush::selavie::screwy: :dunno:

OK, first of all I have done many retrofit HID installs in the past but in those cases, I could do install from engine bay...I have never had to remove fender lining or remove the front bumper(and I prefer not to)...I know doing just a swap of bulbs is easy by removing fender lining but can the HID install with ballast/bulb only(ie-no relay) be done without removing front bumper?...is there enough room to secure a ballast in there without removing front bumper after removing fender lining only?.

Lastly, I know there is alot of debate about the glare caused by reflector based housings and HID retrofits and I think it is way overblown...I have done this with 2 projector housings and 2 reflector housings and never got flashed by anyone...so in theory it might blind others but in reality it will not...if it does blind people, its because you have them aimed too high...there is a big difference between 1200 lumen(halogens) output and 3200 lumen output(4300K philips bulbs) hence I can understand why everyone would want to do this swap..

Got a call from Accord8th today saying "let's put in thse HID's". Seeing how much easier the install was on an 8th Gen by removing the bumper convinced me it is the only way to go. Yes you can access the headlights by removing the wheels and the fenderlining, however, you have far more access and can see what you are doing wih the bumper cover removed and it gives you more options for grounding and ballast placement. Steve, Spikeitaudi, Accord8th, thanks for all your help. The lights look and work great without any re-aiming at this time. :thmsup::thmsup:

OK, first of all I have done many retrofit HID installs in the past but in those cases, I could do install from engine bay...I have never had to remove fender lining or remove the front bumper(and I prefer not to)...I know doing just a swap of bulbs is easy by removing fender lining but can the HID install with ballast/bulb only(ie-no relay) be done without removing front bumper?...is there enough room to secure a ballast in there without removing front bumper after removing fender lining only?.

Lastly, I know there is alot of debate about the glare caused by reflector based housings and HID retrofits and I think it is way overblown...I have done this with 2 projector housings and 2 reflector housings and never got flashed by anyone...so in theory it might blind others but in reality it will not...if it does blind people, its because you have them aimed too high...there is a big difference between 1200 lumen(halogens) output and 3200 lumen output(4300K philips bulbs) hence I can understand why everyone would want to do this swap..

Trust me, I have done many myself. You cannot do this without removing the fender. If you don't believe us go ahead and try. Proof is in the pudding. Or better yet just open the hood and go look for yourself. If you can find a better way. We are all ears.

Got a call from Accord8th today saying "let's put in thse HID's". Seeing how much easier the install was on an 8th Gen by removing the bumper convinced me it is the only way to go. Yes you can access the headlights by removing the wheels and the fenderlining, however, you have far more access and can see what you are doing wih the bumper cover removed and it gives you more options for grounding and ballast placement. Steve, Spikeitaudi, Accord8th, thanks for all your help. The lights look and work great without any re-aiming at this time. :thmsup::thmsup:

Glad the writeup was of help. :)

I can't wait to do this install tomorrow.

I can't wait to do this install tomorrow.

Good luck, while not the same, install will be similar to Spikeitaudi. I installed a Retrosolutions kit in Cyanide's 7th Gen, had a problem with the ballast, but Retrosolutions came to his rescue. Both are reliable sponsors with good kits. :thmsup:

waiting and anxious to see those output shots ksills..... :thmsup:

waiting and anxious to see those output shots ksills..... :thmsup:

Will get shots tomorrow after I get the car cleaned up from the snow. BTW, did you get much flooding?

Will get shots tomorrow after I get the car cleaned up from the snow. BTW, did you get much flooding?

eh what? haha I don't have HIDs I have phillips crystal vision ultras. but yes from my observations there is no way to get rid of the flooding when installing HIDs in reflectors - unless you aim your headlights down to the point where they are incapable of illuminating the street.

eh what? haha I don't have HIDs I have phillips crystal vision ultras. but yes from my observations there is no way to get rid of the flooding when installing HIDs in reflectors - unless you aim your headlights down to the point where they are incapable of illuminating the street.

Actually I thought you were from Cali by the OC in your address. LOL No flooding of the headlights, I would say Xenon Depot did a great job with the bulbs, cut off looks great despite the reflector housing.

Actually I thought you were from Cali by the OC in your address. LOL No flooding of the headlights, I would say Xenon Depot did a great job with the bulbs, cut off looks great despite the reflector housing.

OOOOOOOO hhahaha the rain. um yeah it was pretty bad. not that much flooding where I live though. but still pretty bad. tornado warning in OC was freaking everyone out

Spikeitaudi,

You posted pictures of the passengers side screw (bolt), however not for the driver's side, could you also be a little more specific on how you adjusted, the screw is facing the engine, but your tool is pointing down.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/leftadjusts.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2599.jpg

Thanks :thmsup:

Trust me, I have done many myself. You cannot do this without removing the fender. If you don't believe us go ahead and try. Proof is in the pudding. Or better yet just open the hood and go look for yourself. If you can find a better way. We are all ears.

here is a better way...pudding...:)...and i got laughed at for taking off the wheels...:).

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?p=587485#post587485

Got a call today from Accord8th asking how the install turned out, since he was the one who did the install for me I agreed to take some pictures. Bear in mind that these lights are brand new and need a little more time to reach their ultimate color temp.

First two pics show the cutoff and the wide spread of the beam, they were taken aproximately 25 feet from the gate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4319847811_9767c8bcd5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4320568606_4994d445dd_b.jpg

The next several are pictures of the car. I did not notice any appreciable glare, however, the camera does.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4320579330_3e0fc7f726_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4319841607_6404e91fca_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4320568918_617cd8475d_o.jpg

I was very impressed with the cutoff. :thmsup:

Excellent cutoff Keith!

I'm waiting on my blackhoused headlights before I bother with aligning mine although my cutoff is slanted for whatever reason. I'm also going to be getting 5000k bulbs but those 4300k look VERY nice! I do want a bit more blue so 5000k is for me! Nice work!

wow that looks amazing..need to get that done after I get my TC shenanigans fixed.

here is a better way...pudding...:)...and i got laughed at for taking off the wheels...:).

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?p=587485#post587485

Removing was a bad word. I should of said going through the fenders in general. You CANNOT do it from above. If you can post a FAQ.

If you had to remove the wheels to do it, you should of just removed the bumper, most likely easier. Fyi to get through the fender you really don't need to remove the wheel you can just turn it all the way to one side.

Also, looking at your post you didn't use a relay harness, that makes going through the fender a much easier and clean install.

Spikeitaudi,

You posted pictures of the passengers side screw (bolt), however not for the driver's side, could you also be a little more specific on how you adjusted, the screw is facing the engine, but your tool is pointing down.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/leftadjusts.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/spikeitaudi/08%20Accord%20EX%20HID%20Install/IMG_2599.jpg

Thanks :thmsup:

You will see the teeth in that adustment colar. Put a phillips head screw driver in there to matcht the teeth. Then as you have the light shining turn the screwdriver to turn the teeth to adjust. Make sure not to over turn it in one direction or you can break the adjuster.

^ Ahhh, thanks.

Hey Keith,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post some pictures and feedback. I am glad to hear that you are happy withe product!!

Enjoy :-)

Steve

Hey Keith,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post some pictures and feedback. I am glad to hear that you are happy withe product!!

Enjoy :-)

Steve

Hey Steve,

there is a error on your Sign. WIN A FREE HID KIT!!! Visit our website! - www.KBcarstuff.com

An error has occurred. Please try your request again, or contact customer service for assistance. Thank you.
Please provide Reference #14773176 if contacting customer service.

hmmm i just tried clicking on it and it seems to work for me. Are you referring to the message in my signature?

Steve

Your sig looks good to me Steve.

Thanks Alvin! Hows the Pilot?

Took it up to Whiteface in -8 degree weather. Ran like a champ. :) The Volt kit worked perfectly as expected.

Glad to hear it!

Enjoy :-)