Ragingfish's Next Modification!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:57 am

Indeed..but they're somewhat rare..kinda like Envy is rare. The technology for the lo/hi is pretty cool, especially to fit all in one bulb... I can't wait to see what Mike comes up with..because this was one of my ideas since my last car..

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:15 pm

Can you point us in the direction of the website (if purchased on a website)?

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:49 pm

sorry for the dumb question...what is HID?

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:51 pm

Is it one of those stickers that makes it look like you have bullet holes in the doors of your car?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:27 am

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants Â»Can you point us in the direction of the website (if purchased on a website)?Still shopping around for my price...when I settle on a set, I'll be sure to let you know!

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:52 am

Thanks!!!

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:52 am

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp Â»Is it one of those stickers that makes it look like you have bullet holes in the doors of your car?i thought it was a condition that made your car more susceptible to viruses and was caused by driving with others without 'protection' still wondering??? what does HID stand for?

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:54 am

High Intensity something or other I believe.

millster · Post by **millster** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:02 am

High Intensity Dischargehttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/question387.htmThere are some links at the bottom of that page for more information.

Atomb · Post by **Atomb** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:35 am

thanks!

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:47 am

At first I thought it was a whistle tip for your exhaust pipe.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 7:11 am

Quote, originally posted by millster Â»High Intensity Dischargewhat i would like to type here. LOL

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:38 am

Quote, originally posted by rasermon Â»At first I thought it was a whistle tip for your exhaust pipe. BUBB RUBB!!!!

Geo · Post by **Geo** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:53 pm

I'll have to come up with something else ... this has me puzzled joatmon, ebslopp: I've always been around, just lurking more Life has been busy as of late ^_^

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:54 pm

I've placed an order for an HID kit and hope to have it installed this weekend!!!Of course, as always, a patented Ragingfish How To is to follow!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:53 am

Ok, so my HIDs were shipped and should be here tomorrow.Now when talking to the manufacturer, they did say that a DRL system MAY -- not definitely, but possibly may -- cause premature failure of my ballast and ignitor system because they receive reduced voltage levels.So I have two options I'm tossing around to disable DRL.I can do the classic wire cut to ground method...Or I was contemplating throwing a relay in somewhere that would allow me to leave my headlight stalk in the ON position all the time, but would kill the lights with the ignition. Thoughts?

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:59 am

Disabling would be easier but the relay would be better. That's a tough call bro.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:21 am

The relay is not hard to do.. I believe. It might take a little investigating to be sure, though.. The manufacturer is absolutely right. There's a high chance of premature failure because of the voltage output for the DRLs.I, for one, wouldn't run the DRLs on the HIDs.. If you want, perhaps we can engineer a way to rewire the DRL setup into the foglights? If they go, they'll be cheaper to replace than the HID bulbs.. or nix DRL totally... That's my opinion, though..

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 4:31 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»I've always wanted this particular thing....and it costs under $1000 (eliminating turbos and superchargers)for almost two yearshttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1168

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:57 pm

LOL!That's one of my first posts ever!!!!Unfortunatel, I have bad news. Attempted installation tonight FAILED. My low beams wouldn't work. Though I think I may just need a relay kit, this still dampened my spirits.The high beam didn't see as bright as I'd hoped. But until I get the full kit working, I won't pass judgement.More info as it becomes available.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:23 pm

Ok, success! Turns out a polarity switch fixed the problem, and WOW these are sweet!Didn't actually install them, just ran a test.I'm off tomorrow, so HID installation, HERE I COME!Here's a sneak preview: Needless to say, this picture does not do these lights justice. The top is a new HID, the bottom is a SILVERSTAR fog!That's right! Silverstars are YELLOW in comparison to these!Full conversion tomorrow...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:37 am

Mwahahahahahaha....The conversion is going FANTASTICALLY!This will blow your mind...Keep hanging in there!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:53 am

I paid $339.99 including shipping. No tax, because I bougt it on ebay.All prices USD of course.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:12 am

that looks great mike! and thinking about the $150 i've spent on silverstars (now reverting to just ice blue now) i'd have almost been half way there! i'll have to keep an eye on how it works for you. and if you ever do get rid of the vibe, maybe i can weasel them from you, eh?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:49 am

The average life of a typical halogen is estimated at about 200 hours.HIDs are rated for 3000+ hours.They should last well beyond the life of the car. Hope, you can check them out in Toronto!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:55 am

duh! that's right! ha ha ha! ya, that would be so nice to have, as well as the bodykit, spoiler moonroof, exhaust, motormounts, brass bushings, short shifter, turbo, etc etc... it'd be a long time for me. i want a house more than i want HID.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:56 am

Project COMPLETE!Check it out:Those are silverstar fogs! Just IMAGINE how poor stock would look next to these!These pictures simply do not do these lights justice.Full writeup to come later tonight...Also, here's a pre-shot, silverstar on right, HID on left.

Celtic_Curse · Post by **Celtic_Curse** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:53 am

Um where's the pics?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:06 pm

You don't see the two above?

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:33 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»I paid $339.99 including shipping. No tax, because I bougt it on ebay.All prices USD of course.Wow, that's a great price...was this a kit that seller sells often, or just a one-time deal?I've always wanted HID's, especially for my Vibe. Awesome work, and killer lights!!

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:36 am

Oh man, I want those. Better hope I dont find out where you live. Muhahahahaha

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:36 am

Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker Â»Wow, that's a great price...was this a kit that seller sells often, or just a one-time deal?I've always wanted HID's, especially for my Vibe. Awesome work, and killer lights!! No, he's got a ton of them...I'll admit, though, I probably should have researched this more before purchasing. The kit seems ok, though I haven't had the opportunity to actually drive at night. I'm sure I'll have to adjust the aim to compensate for the beam. THere is no beam definer. It just seems to kinda shoot everywhere. And the highs are worthless. So if these lows don't cover the road enough, I'll have to look into a better kit.I'll see how the drive home from work is tonight!

ZubenElGenubi · Post by **ZubenElGenubi** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:10 am

I'm really torn on those HIDs. As a driver, I can appreciate wanting to see better at night, and these may appear to address that. However, I really wonder if in their current design they are overkill.First, consider other drivers. Even at "low beams", these lights are about 300% brighter than halogens. It makes them appear like high beams and ruins any night vision oncoming drivers might have. By increasing the brightness, contrast increases, meaning that oncoming drivers actually see less detail than with "normal" (i.e., less bright) headlights.Secondly, consider that the human eye is more responsive to light in the red/yellow range of the spectrum than blue. This is more pronounced when night vision is in effect. HIDs are advertised as "whiter" but that just means the spectrum is shifted away from the red. At night, white light isn't the most effective illumination; it's red. Suprisingly, the human eye can focus red light than blue light at night.I think it's great that these bulbs have a longer life and work at reduced power (65%?). However, if they were modified to better work with the physiological aspects of the human eye and brain, I bet they could be designed better...lower intensity, better spectrum response, lower power usage and even longer life. Me (off soapbox)

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:21 am

Excellent issues you raize Zuben. I think most of them are on par, however, some of your concerns are addressable.Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi Â»First, consider other drivers. Even at "low beams", these lights are about 300% brighter than halogens. It makes them appear like high beams and ruins any night vision oncoming drivers might have. Yes and no. Theoretically, all that should be happening is your previous field of illumination should be elongated, and should be brighter and more visible. That being said, if oncoming traffic is being affected by the light, your system needs to be reaimed. It's no different than a traditional headlamp system. The housing is the same, and thus can be adjusted downward out of the field of vision of an oncoming car.Quote Â»Secondly, consider that the human eye is more responsive to light in the red/yellow range of the spectrum than blue. This is more pronounced when night vision is in effect. HIDs are advertised as "whiter" but that just means the spectrum is shifted away from the red. At night, white light isn't the most effective illumination; it's red. Suprisingly, the human eye can focus red light than blue light at night.True! But, realistically, if we put red lights in our headlamps, we wouldn't see much would we. While it might help clarify details, it would likely hinder ones ability to see the full picture, because red light doesn't give off enough total light to illuminate. You can get HIDs in hotter color temps, some in the red range...I wonder if that would improve things? Interesting theory...Quote Â»I think it's great that these bulbs have a longer life and work at reduced power (65%?). However, if they were modified to better work with the physiological aspects of the human eye and brain, I bet they could be designed better...lower intensity, better spectrum response, lower power usage and even longer life.Keep in mind, by technological standards, HID is a very new technology. Granted, it's been around for a few years. But how long did it take them to improve and work the tweaks out of ABS? Quite a while. As the years pass, the technology I'm sure will improve, making them run cooler, illuminate more, while using even less power and perhaps even working with human physiology.After all -- about this time a few years ago, HID was on luxury cars only. Aftermarket systems were so exhorbitantly expensive, no one could afford to retrofit.BTW: Here's a little 20 second movie showing them from ignition to full beam...it's SO cool how they "warm up." Cheap thrills, I know. http://www.ragingfish.com/movies/DSCF0005.AVI (3.2 MB, AVI)As always, please right-click / save as to avoid stealing precious bandwidth!

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:02 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»No, he's got a ton of them...I'll admit, though, I probably should have researched this more before purchasing. The kit seems ok, though I haven't had the opportunity to actually drive at night. I'm sure I'll have to adjust the aim to compensate for the beam. THere is no beam definer. It just seems to kinda shoot everywhere. And the highs are worthless. So if these lows don't cover the road enough, I'll have to look into a better kit.I'll see how the drive home from work is tonight!Sweet! Is this kit Vibe/Trix-specific, or does it require modding the stock housing?EDIT: Quote Â»BTW: Here's a little 20 second movie showing them from ignition to full beam...it's SO cool how they "warm up." Cheap thrills, I know. http://www.ragingfish.com/movies/DSCF0005.AVI (3.2 MB, AVI)Ok, um, droool Sorry Mike, but I'm gonna have to copy you

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:27 am

Is that the 8000k kit, Mike? I've done some more looking around on ebay and there're some kits for around $425 that look kinda interesting..

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:37 am

Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker Â»Sweet! Is this kit Vibe/Trix-specific, or does it require modding the stock housing?It's H4 specific. Will fit any vehicle with an H4 housing. No modifications required.Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Is that the 8000k kit, Mike? I've done some more looking around on ebay and there're some kits for around $425 that look kinda interesting..This one was 6000K. Would've preferred something closer to 4100 K (maximum light output), but hey, I'm not complaining.

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:53 am

Is this one similar:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 7913198057 ?I prefer the 8000k output, but what's the benefit of a lower temp?

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:44 am

How would the HID lights compare to the projector beam headlamps seen on VWs and BMWs? I like the look of the projector beam headlamps.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:09 pm

Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker Â»Is this one similar:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 7913198057 ?I prefer the 8000k output, but what's the benefit of a lower temp?That's similar, however that is a single filament applciation. You will lose high beams entirely with that particular kit.4100Ã‚Â°K is the optimum color temperature. This color temperature yields the most light output. When you start to get into higher color temperatures, you sacrifice light output for actual color. For example, a 10000Ã‚Â°K bulb will yield an almost red color...however, in total light output, you'd technically be getting less light to the road than a 4100Ã‚Â°K kit. Is the light output difference between the two significantly noticeable? I honestly don't know.Quote, originally posted by ebslopp Â»How would the HID lights compare to the projector beam headlamps seen on VWs and BMWs? I like the look of the projector beam headlamps. Depends. Some cars use projector beams with typical halogen bulbs. While they will focus the light better, you're still not getting a better total effect than you would without the projector.However, many newer cars combine projector lenses with HID bulbs. Now THOSE have amazing output. I considered retrofitting projector HID bulbs into my Vibe, but the time, cost, and labor factors involved with that project were well beyond that which I was able to put into it.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 4:42 am

Well, the first test drive is under my belt.Overall, these are pretty sweet.HOWEVER, through my discussions with Jahntassa, he put it best when he said "nothing can ever take the place of a good set of high beams." This kit lacks any sort of decent high beam. As a result, I'm feeling under-illuminated at night.Thus, I am currently researching to see if I can locate a true dual-HID beam kit.more to follow...

Celtic_Curse · Post by **Celtic_Curse** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:40 pm

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»You don't see the two above?Now I do thanks.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:03 pm

Quote, originally posted by Celtic_Curse Â»Now I do thanks.NP! Just makin sure...Anyway, I found a TRUE HID dual-beam kit, so I'm ordering that, and the guy promised me he'd get it to me in time for me to install and show this weekend in Ohio!Look for even cooler pictures to come!This current kit is officially FOR SALE if anyone is interested. BUT -- as I said, it has essentially no to minimal high-beams. If you live in a city and do little traveling in an area that requires high beams, you might benefit from it. If you need high beams, understand, this WON'T give them to you.If interested, drop me an IM! I will bring it to Ohio for on-the-spot sale if anyone is interested -- come with a personal check (or cash of course!) if you think you might be interested!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:47 pm

I've decided to take this project to the next level...I'm currently price-hunting for HID conversion for my fogs!That's right baby...we're goin ALL OUT!I must be CAAAARRRAAAAAAAAAAAZY!!!!!!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:20 am

You are, mostly.Now, what about HID for the reverse lights? Huh, Huh?!?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:31 am

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Now, what about HID for the reverse lights? Huh, Huh?!?*scratches chin as if plotting evil...*hmmmmmmmmmm......

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:34 am

The transformation is COMPLETE!I shall take better pictures tonight...here's the current view though...

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damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:41 am

And what did all that run you again for both HL's and fogs?? Just wondering as I have been contemplating this myself after the body kit and some other mods.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:42 am

Beam patterns man. Need to see the beam patterns.1) Against the garage, headlights only.2) Hi Beams3) Heads and fogs4) Road distance no fog5) Road distance fogI'm a picky guy, ain't I?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:43 am

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Beam patterns man. Need to see the beam patterns.1) Against the garage, headlights only.2) Hi Beams3) Heads and fogs4) Road distance no fog5) Road distance fogI'm a picky guy, ain't I?Patience my friend...Daylight is fading...Quote, originally posted by damronj Â»And what did all that run you again for both HL's and fogs?? Just wondering as I have been contemplating this myself after the body kit and some other mods.About $900 for the full conversion...No, it's not cheap for a DECENT kit.

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