Headlight Improvements-Xenon ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
Headlight Improvements-Xenon ?
I researched better headlights last week - my stock sealed beam units are very poor.
The info I got pointed to Cibie Headlamps being the best so I've ordered a pair of 142mmx200mm.
What I'd really like to do is fit some of the new Xenon headlights. I've been raving about these new car headlights for a while, the lense is so crystal clear, the light so white.
I discovered that they need an 800 volt shock to start up then run at maybe half the amp draw of standard lights for almost twice the brightness, with less heat. So they have a ballast and electronics to run them.
Oh, I want some.
Then I discovered we were looking at about Aus$1500 - just for the bulbs and electronics
I wonder if the Xenon globes will eventually be engineered to work without the extra electronics, they seem so good - half the power consumption for twice the light.
I've read all the raves for and against globes like the Sylvania Silverstar although haven't located that brand here. Anything that doesn't need the electronics is a fake or a mix of Halogen and Xenon which is only halfway there.
I'd like to hear from anyone with ideas on this subject
S'nut
[Modified by Stingraynut, 8:03 AM 1/22/2004]
The info I got pointed to Cibie Headlamps being the best so I've ordered a pair of 142mmx200mm.
What I'd really like to do is fit some of the new Xenon headlights. I've been raving about these new car headlights for a while, the lense is so crystal clear, the light so white.
I discovered that they need an 800 volt shock to start up then run at maybe half the amp draw of standard lights for almost twice the brightness, with less heat. So they have a ballast and electronics to run them.
Oh, I want some.
Then I discovered we were looking at about Aus$1500 - just for the bulbs and electronics
I wonder if the Xenon globes will eventually be engineered to work without the extra electronics, they seem so good - half the power consumption for twice the light.
I've read all the raves for and against globes like the Sylvania Silverstar although haven't located that brand here. Anything that doesn't need the electronics is a fake or a mix of Halogen and Xenon which is only halfway there.
I'd like to hear from anyone with ideas on this subject
S'nut
[Modified by Stingraynut, 8:03 AM 1/22/2004]
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Re: Headlight Improvements-Xenon ? (Stingraynut)
If you get the wiring upgrade kit from Daniel Sterns and go with the 100/130 watt bulbs in the Ciebe lamps you will forget about Xenon because you will have MORE light than any add-on kit you can get.
Just get spare bulbs because the high watt bulbs will burn out in a year or so.
JS
Just get spare bulbs because the high watt bulbs will burn out in a year or so.
JS
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
Re: Headlight Improvements-Xenon ? (jsinga)
Yes, jsinga, that's what I'm hoping, as long as they're bright enough they'll do.
I agree that the Xenon will come down in price, I'm sure that eventually all lights will be xenon - meanwhile I read today they are a high 'theft' item, wouldn't be too east to setal from a vette though.
I went to the Sterne site - but I am in Australia with Right hand drive car so have to get headlights for RHD drive car. I found the Cibie headlights after a few days search-they're also used on Ford Econovans apparently !!!!!!!! but I'm not going to tell anyone.
S'nut
I agree that the Xenon will come down in price, I'm sure that eventually all lights will be xenon - meanwhile I read today they are a high 'theft' item, wouldn't be too east to setal from a vette though.
I went to the Sterne site - but I am in Australia with Right hand drive car so have to get headlights for RHD drive car. I found the Cibie headlights after a few days search-they're also used on Ford Econovans apparently !!!!!!!! but I'm not going to tell anyone.
S'nut
