[mbenazeraf]

Would it be safe for the wiring to install 55W HID 6000K for the low beam? I have the 35W now but feel it is not quite bright enough. I think the OEM wiring is set for 55W halogen.
Help on this would be appreciated.

 

[nayr14]

Would it be safe for the wiring to install 55W HID 6000K for the low beam? I have the 35W now but feel it is not quite bright enough. I think the OEM wiring is set for 55W halogen.
Help on this would be appreciated.

The OEM wattage is 55W with a halogen so it's probably OK, if you're using quality components. If 35W isn't bright enough, then you're probably doing something wrong... are you using quality bulbs/ballasts? If not try purchasing those.

 

[on2]

I agree with the above post.

With a quality 35W ballast/capsule combination, more than enough light should be produced over the factory halogens.

Using 55W HIDs will not hurt your housings nor wiring, but it shouldn't be needed. The increased output is minimal compared to 35W given that both are using good ballasts.

 

[Kais]

try 5000k bulbs instead of 6000k, will be a bit brighter. DDM sells a quality kit

 

[on2]

Going along with that, 4300K would be the best for output.

 

[ousooner2]

It'd be cool to see the difference in these 2 setups:

Zenex 35W Ballast w/ 4300k
Zenex 50W Ballast w/ 4300k

(or 5k bulbs, though you're obviously loosing a little output)

The 50W Zenex ballast is only $2 more and if it'll give a noticeable increase & our OEM setup can handle it...then why not, right? Love to see some comparison pics. A decent portion of my driving are on roads with no lights and almost in the country. Not quite, but darn close. If I can get a little more brightness for $2 then I'd do it.

 

[verg64]

Didn't have a good camera at the time but comparing my friend's 35w ballast at 4300k (left) vs my 55w ballast at 5000k (right). Both from DDMtuning.

 

[nayr14]

Didn't have a good camera at the time but comparing my friend's 35w ballast at 4300k (left) vs my 55w ballast at 5000k (right). Both from DDMtuning.

Lol, it would have been a lot better to take a picture of a wall they project onto to see the difference

 

[verg64]

Lol, it would have been a lot better to take a picture of a wall they project onto to see the difference

We were supposed to take picture from inside the car to see how clear and how far the lights project into the streets, but rushed out to have drinks instead. Doh!..

 

[mbenazeraf]

55W Hid

Thanks for the replies. I'll try the 55W and see if it really improve anything.

 

[ousooner2]

I'd do the 50W Zenex ballast

 

[XMan714]

4300k is not the "best output". If you're speaking of the fullest spectrum of light, it's somewhere between 5000k and 6500k.

http://blog.1000bulbs.com/color-temperature-explained/

 

[ousooner2]

Then why would OEM's be around 4300-4600k? Why are the best bulbs in the industry all around 4500k? These have the highest lumen ratings and will yield the most visibility due to the way our eye's perceive color. Look at the spec sheets for the Phillips bulbs, etc and you'll see the tests they run. Tons of info on all the bulbs and their respective outputs vs. Kelvin rating.

 

[XMan714]

Just because it's OEM doesn't mean it's the best. They can simply being using 4300k because it's the cheapest to manufacture. There are numerous reasons. It's like saying a stock exhaust has the best performance, so why bother getting an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[LSA]

Color Temperature: 4300k
Lumen output: 3200 lumens
Purpose: 4300k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in fog light applications. The 4300k color temperature matches the white color temperature in vehicles that come with factory HID systems.
Special note: 4300k bulbs emit the maximum light output possible from HID type bulbs. Higher color temperatures emit fewer lumens.

Color Temperature: 5000k
Lumen output: 3000 lumens
Purpose: 5000k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in fog light applications. The 5000k color temperature produces an LED-like white color and comparatively makes the 4300k color temperature look slightly yellow.
Special note: 5000k bulbs emit roughly the same amount of visible light as the 4300k bulbs. Higher color temperatures emit fewer lumens.

Color Temperature: 6000k
Lumen output: 2800 lumens
Purpose: 6000k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in fog light applications.
Special note: While any HID bulb will emit 2-3 times the lumens a halogen bulb emits, higher color temperature bulbs emit fewer lumens than lower color temperatures. A 6000k bulb will emit roughly 12% less light than a 4300k bulb.

Source - http://www.everythingcobalt.com/hid-color-chart/


Furthermore a 55w HID kit should run fine for low beams, but personally I would not recommend it.

 

[XMan714]

Then there is your answer. Use what you want based on lumen output not by color spectrum.

 

[ousooner2]

What just happened.

 

[oOKhanhOo]

55w may cause cloudy-ness on your reflector bowl due to heat. So you will permanently lose light output overtime. You won't notice it cause it gradually (light output) overtime.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[ousooner2]

Has there been a case of this or is this just speculation?

 

[Jbiscuit]

I have the 35w Zenex ballast with the 5000k DDM Tuning capsules and the light output is very bright white. Hint of blue when you first turn them up but once warmed up, they are white.