Home › Forums › Stay Dirty Lounge › The EricTheCarGuy Video Forum › How To Install an HID Headlight Kit
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May 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm #519153
I had a lot of fun making this video and I hope you enjoy it. Even though this video shows a Honda Element the procedure is similar with other vehicles. So what do you think of HID kits?
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May 8, 2013 at 4:43 am #520196
As I said in my reply, both Odyssey and Element have the same H4 bulb but I am not sure if the inside the reflector, the shield is the same or not.
May 8, 2013 at 5:10 am #520199Holy hell this thread became a shitshow fast.
Eric, you’re awesome. You’ve helped many understand and work on their cars. I was pretty surprised to see you throwing a janky HID kit in reflector housings, though. I disliked your video not because I didn’t think it was well-shot and awesomely detailed, as has become a hallmark of your videos, but because I know that through the wide audience you have that this will ultimately influence others to put godawful HID kits in their 1992 Honda Civics and lifted Dodge Dakotas. I guess what I’m saying is: Say no to blindness. From the cutoff I saw when you aimed your lights, it seems you may have lucked out in your situation, but I’ve seen a lot of vehicles where this was not the case, and instead people are driving around blinding people.
I’d like to also note that you’re not proving anything about fairness and respect to masster (or the rest of us) by allowing him to stay and shit up the place; Rather, you’re simply allowing a blatantly anti-semetic 9/11-truther a place to piss (your forum). Plainly: When there’s a turd in the bowl, you don’t grit your teeth and let it peel your wallpaper to prove your tolerance; you flush it.
P.S. On the legality tip, I’d like to note that even if the lights were illegal in your state, those laws tend to be very loosely-enforced.
May 8, 2013 at 5:28 am #520204As soon as I saw this video posted I thought a mini flame war would brew but I didn’t think so much hatred would be thrown around. I’m curious to see Friday’s Re: video addressing this backlash.
Am I a fan of HID retro fits in projector housings not designed with true cutoffs, no. Looking at the garage door in the video it honestly didn’t look to bad at a short throw distance but I guess I wouldn’t know unless I was driving in the opposite direction.
Eric, Thank You and please, keep up the fantastic videos and saving people countless $$$.
May 8, 2013 at 1:31 pm #520230@LargeHardonCollider
You’re an idiot. I am Jewish. Don’t even start me on 9/11 or US desire to ‘bring democracy’ conveniently in countries with huge oil reserves…
You’re using the same arguments as I did, you say he put a junk HID kit as I did, you foresee a heard of followers will put the same shitty kits on their cars blinded by their brainless trust in Eric as I did, yet you want me kicked out? You’re a moron. The 2nd nazi policy lover on this thread trying to restrict freedom of speech just because somebody tells inconvenient truths. With such stupid attitude you’re not only mocking the last freedom Americans have (and don’t use), but you create proper conditions for you to be censored next.You got a poisoned gift, Eric from that low life ‘sponsor’.
Bottom line: if you don’t take off that kit and apologize for lack of good judgment in your Re: video, then I’ll consider you a cold blooded killer driving with a loaded weapon on public roads. I saved all this topic as a proof you have been warned of your mistake yet refused to hear and replied in a cynical, aggressive way.Do you have left any honor and dignity, Eric? Apologize before you kill anyone. Any other lame excuse (not coming from your true conviction) for taking HIDs off can and will influence your destiny. Ask your wife how will she feel knowing you put other people’s life in danger or killed someone blinding them and have to do time?
May 8, 2013 at 7:08 pm #520272Eric,
You have always provided a wealth of information and provided great videos. But, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the information you have provided to your viewers in this particular video.
Was the video well shot? Yes. Is it great for showing the concepts of adding custom/aftermarket parts to a vehicle and what to look for? Absolutely. Is showing/encouraging people to install HID lamps into halogen housings a good idea? No way.
For issues regarding installing HID lamps into halogen reflectors, please see this excellent article written by Daniel Stern: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html
Also, regarding legality here in the United States specifically, due to optical difference between HID and halogen bulbs, any HID conversion kit installed in a reflector designed for a halogen bulb will be in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108.
Eric, you might find these three letters (by Jacqueline Glassman, [former] Chief Counsel, NHTSA) regarding HID conversions kits and FMVSS 108 of interest:
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/deetz.ztv.html
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/Shih.3.htmlThere is also this letter from SEMA regarding the government clamping down on HID conversion kits because they are in violation of FMVSS 108:
http://www.sema.org/?q=node/4182Respectfully,
RobMay 8, 2013 at 9:57 pm #520287[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58821]
Excellent point. In fact I shot a video today answering to that very topic. I’ve tried the high end Halogen bulbs in other cars and they seem to have a short life. In the above mentioned video I’ll offer a solution to the viewers that have issue with my lights. Lets touch base again after that video comes out. Thanks for your input.[/quote]Short life of the brighter halogens is indeed an issue, the tungsten can’t take the higher temperature for as long as a regular bulb lasts. But I, personally find this a minor drawback, smaller one, than annoying the oncoming traffic. Looking forward to the Re: video!
On another note: Thread got seriously cleaned up :blink:
May 9, 2013 at 12:13 am #520294[quote=”Taffy R18″ post=58875]
…………………………..There is also this letter from SEMA regarding the government clamping down on HID conversion kits because they are in violation of FMVSS 108:
http://www.sema.org/?q=node/4182
[/quote]That article is 6 years old if you google “GOVERNMENT CLAMPS DOWN ON HID CONVERSION KITS”. May of 2007.
Obviously in that time the government has done nothing significant to hinder aftermarket HID kit sales or to citationize caught consumers.May 9, 2013 at 2:05 am #520298[quote=”Taffy R18″ post=58875]Eric,
You have always provided a wealth of information and provided great videos. But, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the information you have provided to your viewers in this particular video.
Was the video well shot? Yes. Is it great for showing the concepts of adding custom/aftermarket parts to a vehicle and what to look for? Absolutely. Is showing/encouraging people to install HID lamps into halogen housings a good idea? No way.
For issues regarding installing HID lamps into halogen reflectors, please see this excellent article written by Daniel Stern: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html
Also, regarding legality here in the United States specifically, due to optical difference between HID and halogen bulbs, any HID conversion kit installed in a reflector designed for a halogen bulb will be in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108.
Eric, you might find these three letters (by Jacqueline Glassman, [former] Chief Counsel, NHTSA) regarding HID conversions kits and FMVSS 108 of interest:
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/deetz.ztv.html
http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/Shih.3.htmlThere is also this letter from SEMA regarding the government clamping down on HID conversion kits because they are in violation of FMVSS 108:
http://www.sema.org/?q=node/4182Respectfully,
Rob[/quote]I was not aware of the federal law. I don’t believe that states can enforce it however since I believe that traffic laws are governed and enforced by the states themselves. You bring up a good point about blinding other drivers. Up to this point I have had no indication that that’s the case with my kit. I go into detail about this in Friday’s video. I also offer a solution to those that have brought up this same issue. Rest assured, I do take it seriously. I’m hoping the video on Friday will help clear up my position a bit.
Thank you for your valuable input on this topic. It is much appreciated.
May 9, 2013 at 2:07 am #520301[quote=”jimmyrustler” post=58881][quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58821
On another note: Thread got seriously cleaned up :blink:[/quote]
I don’t mind criticism so long as it’s on topic. Once he crossed the line into 9/11 and hate mongering, it was time to let him go. He was warned.
May 9, 2013 at 8:24 am #520429[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58885]….I was not aware of the federal law. I don’t believe that states can enforce it however since I believe that traffic laws are governed and enforced by the states themselves. You bring up a good point about blinding other drivers. Up to this point I have had no indication that that’s the case with my kit. I go into detail about this in Friday’s video. I also offer a solution to those that have brought up this same issue. Rest assured, I do take it seriously. I’m hoping the video on Friday will help clear up my position a bit.
Thank you for your valuable input on this topic. It is much appreciated.[/quote]
Eric, here in WA state, the State Patrol can and does enforce the federal laws.
RCW 46.37.320
Authority of state patrol regarding lighting devices or other safety equipment.
(1) The chief of the state patrol is hereby authorized to adopt and enforce rules establishing standards and specifications governing the performance of lighting devices and their installation, adjustment, and aiming, when in use on motor vehicles, and other safety equipment, components, or assemblies of a type for which regulation is required in this chapter or in rules adopted by the state patrol. Such rules shall correlate with and, so far as practicable, conform to federal motor vehicle safety standards adopted pursuant to the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381 et seq.) covering the same aspect of performance, or in the absence of such federal standards, to the then current standards and specifications of the society of automotive engineers applicable to such equipment: PROVIDED, That the sale, installation, and use of any headlamp meeting the standards of either the society of automotive engineers or the United Nations agreement concerning motor vehicle equipment and parts done at Geneva on March 20, 1958, or as amended and adopted by the Canadian standards association (CSA standard D106.2), as amended, shall be lawful in this state.So, if the FVMSS has rules, our law and regulation is supposed to comply with them. Now I’ll have more research to do!
The main problem I see with HID’s are when they’re misaimed. Properly aimed HID’s do seem brighter, but don’t seem to glare badly. (Or at least to me.)
Interesting thread. Liked the video, especially the install tips.
Moparfan
May 10, 2013 at 12:57 am #520495[quote=”moparfan7008″ post=58928]
…
The main problem I see with HID’s are when they’re misaimed. Properly aimed HID’s do seem brighter, but don’t seem to glare badly. (Or at least to me.)
…[/quote]Hi Moparfan,
Unfortunately, there is a bigger program than just aim when it comes to HID lamps in a halogen housing. Aiming the beam downward would change where the majority/focus of the beam is, but there would still be escaped, scattered light (glare). The reason for this is that with a halogen bulb, the reflector’s focal point is specific to the bulb’s specs (i.e. where the hottest part of it’s filament is located). From there, the reflector is design to block (cut off) surrounding light (again, working from the bulb’s specs). With an HID lamp, the source (positioning) of the light is different (halogen vs HID have fundamentally difference lighting characteristics) and the reflector is unable to properly focus the beam and restrict stray light.
Hopefully that all makes sense. 🙂
If part of it wasn’t clear, please ask any questions.Rob
May 10, 2013 at 5:42 am #520557[quote=”Taffy R18″ post=58950][quote=”moparfan7008″ post=58928]
…
The main problem I see with HID’s are when they’re misaimed. Properly aimed HID’s do seem brighter, but don’t seem to glare badly. (Or at least to me.)
…[/quote]Hi Moparfan,
Unfortunately, there is a bigger program than just aim when it comes to HID lamps in a halogen housing. Aiming the beam downward would change where the majority/focus of the beam is, but there would still be escaped, scattered light (glare). …. Rob[/quote]
Yes, that’s what I’m finding in my research. Also it seems that a kit has to be approved by DOT and-or SAE to meet fmvss 108. As you said the main sticking point is the reflectors. Retrofits don’t appear to be approved, but if the vehicle had HID’s as an option from the OEM, the OEM equipment can be installed (must have the correct reflectors and equipment.)
So this is just too much trouble to me for now. I’ll stick to 4000K to 5000K lights for now!
Thanks,
MoparfanMay 10, 2013 at 7:42 am #520575Eric, I love you buddy but I cannot believe you installed a hid kit without projectors. I just watched the RE video, and either 95% of people with hid kids do not have that particular light scattering/blocking shroud that you used, or it does not work as well as you think it does (no offence!!). Personally I have a lot of trouble aiming headlights, so it could be that most people have trouble as well and screw it up, which leads to my bias. Perhaps a professional install as you did is the way to go with these kits.
I have a major pet peeve with people who slap hid kits into normal reflectors. I generally flash my high beams at them as they are generally blinding me, and they deserve nothing less than the same. It may be strictly legal, but so was talking on the phone while driving till people wised up and realized how dangerous that is.
I too would love to have hid projectors. They use less amps, are brighter, and make your car look rich. For the chevy beretta/corsica, you can do a modification where by you take the projectors from an e36 BMW and they are pretty much a drop in replacement for the standard corsica/beretta lights. That is my plan for doing it to my car, however the e36 projectors cost several hundred dollars (plus bulbs and ballasts) and I have not been able to justify the mostly cosmetic expense yet. My reason for mentioning this is that perhaps there is a more creative after market solution that you could use in a similar vein.
In conclusion, I badly want HID. But I would never do it without projectors. I am sorry, its nothing on you, I think you just hit a nerve with a bunch of people and I cant help saying something on it. sorry
May 10, 2013 at 3:10 pm #520615[quote=”asetoftools” post=58996]Eric, I love you buddy but I cannot believe you installed a hid kit without projectors. I just watched the RE video, and either 95% of people with hid kids do not have that particular light scattering/blocking shroud that you used, or it does not work as well as you think it does (no offence!!). Personally I have a lot of trouble aiming headlights, so it could be that most people have trouble as well and screw it up, which leads to my bias. Perhaps a professional install as you did is the way to go with these kits.
I have a major pet peeve with people who slap hid kits into normal reflectors. I generally flash my high beams at them as they are generally blinding me, and they deserve nothing less than the same. It may be strictly legal, but so was talking on the phone while driving till people wised up and realized how dangerous that is.
I too would love to have hid projectors. They use less amps, are brighter, and make your car look rich. For the chevy beretta/corsica, you can do a modification where by you take the projectors from an e36 BMW and they are pretty much a drop in replacement for the standard corsica/beretta lights. That is my plan for doing it to my car, however the e36 projectors cost several hundred dollars (plus bulbs and ballasts) and I have not been able to justify the mostly cosmetic expense yet. My reason for mentioning this is that perhaps there is a more creative after market solution that you could use in a similar vein.
In conclusion, I badly want HID. But I would never do it without projectors. I am sorry, its nothing on you, I think you just hit a nerve with a bunch of people and I cant help saying something on it. sorry[/quote]
No need for apology. As I said in the video everyone is entitled to their opinion. As long as we’re having a discussion and not a character assassination I’m OK. I appreciate you taking the time to express your feelings on the matter as they mirror many of those that watched the original video felt.
May 10, 2013 at 3:22 pm #520620I hope this answers some questions and puts some fears to rest.
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