2015 Headlight Assembly Options

[gixer2000]

I am not the least bit worried.

Here is part of my research:

"Heat Comparison: Halogens vs. HIDs
There have been great debates in regard to which runs hotter. The truth is that the core of an HID bulb runs hotter than a halogen bulb. However, that core's heat is a result of light output and energy, whereas halogen bulbs produce light as a result of heat.

Halogen bulbs use halogen gas, a tungsten filament, and a quartz encasing. The reason why the encasing is quartz is because if it were glass, it would melt as a result of the heat. The current passes through the filament, heating it to the point to where it creates light. Halogen bulb gives off white light using thinner filament. The advantage of thinner filament is that it gives off brighter light. With thinner filament however, it tend to burns out easily and to overcome this problem, manufacturers have been able to increase its lifespan by incorporating halogen gas inside the filament there to prevent oxidization of the hot filament, thus the name halogen bulb. To make a comparison, this is like a space heater.

HID's use a completely different method. The bulb consists of two electrodes placed in very close proximity to each other. The gas used here is Xenon. Unlike with Halogen-filament bulbs, the light is created by the gas, not by a filament. HID's use a ballast which consists of a series of high current capacitors, transistors, and resistors. To light a Xenon bulb in an HID kit, the ballast takes in a small amount of power and sends a very intense charge of electricity across the electrodes. This is why they're called High Intensity Discharge. The electrical charge excites the gas molecules inside the bulb and causes them to discharge photon particles, producing light. because all of the gas in the capsule is used to create the light instead of just one filament, you end up with much brighter overall light output. The ballast regulates a constant flow of power only to keep the gas molecules excited, while a standard filament based light requires a constant intense electrical current to keep the filament hot.

I have confirmed with a simple test that 55W HIDs run significantly cooler than 55W halogens do as a result of this by placing my hand on the surface of the lense after a 30 minute drive.

Lifespan Comparison : Halogens vs. HIDs
HID is said to burn 3 times brighter and 10 times the lifespan of a Halogen bulb. It is obvious that the filament of HIR bulb tend to burns out easily even though halogen gas be incorporated. But the light of HID bulb is created by the Xenon gas, not by a filament. It can light up as long as the ballast regulates a constant flow of power only to keep the Xenon gas molecules excited. That is the reason why some sellers would like to promise a lifetime warranty of HID."

Source: http://www.ebay.com/gds/HID-High-In...IR-Halogen-Infrared-/10000000019666133/g.html

Here is a link to a test, I can't post the article; click the link if you are interested: http://www.stylingwebben.com/page/view/18

Its not the heat that burns the bowls it the UV the hid bulbs give off. I've seen it first hand many of times but not on a newer expedition... Yet..

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I ran 35W HIDs on my 05 without projectors for 3-1/2 years and had no problems. Perhaps if I drove 4 or 5 hours each night it might be a problem but the two or three times a year that we get up before dawn and drive from Indiana to Pennsylvania, and few times I drive at night, I don't see it being a problem for me.

 

[gixer2000]

I ran 35W HIDs on my 05 without projectors for 3-1/2 years and had no problems. Perhaps if I drove 4 or 5 hours each night it might be a problem but the two or three times a year that we get up before dawn and drive from Indiana to Pennsylvania, and few times I drive at night, I don't see it being a problem for me.

With a reflector were talking a much larger area so the exposure to uv is more spread out vs a projector bowl thats maybe 2-3" and much closer to the bulb. I'm not saying they don't work but ill guarantee it burns the bowls eventually.

 

[buffy]

55W is even better. That's what I have in mine. The stock halogens are 55 watts.

There are reasons factory HID setups are all 35W.

 

[buffy]

I ran 35W HIDs on my 05 without projectors for 3-1/2 years and had no problems. Perhaps if I drove 4 or 5 hours each night it might be a problem but the two or three times a year that we get up before dawn and drive from Indiana to Pennsylvania, and few times I drive at night, I don't see it being a problem for me.

Andy: That was irresponsible. It's not a problem for you. It's a problem for every driver you blinded coming toward you. This is wrong. If you can't afford to upgrade to a projector that at least gives a cutoff, don't upgrade to HIDs. Why do you think all those cars and trucks flashed you all the time? Sorry to lecture, it's one of the only light abuses that frustrates me because it imperals others, not you.

 

[buffy]

I am not the least bit worried.

Here is part of my research: The gas used here is Xenon. Unlike with Halogen-filament bulbs, the light is created by the gas, not by a filament. HID's use a ballast which consists of a series of high current capacitors, transistors, and resistors. To light a Xenon bulb in an HID kit, the ballast takes in a small amount of power and sends a very intense charge of electricity across the electrodes. This is why they're called High Intensity Discharge. The electrical charge excites the gas molecules inside the bulb and causes them to discharge photon particles, producing light. because all of the gas in the capsule is used to create the light instead of just one filament, you end up with much brighter overall light output. The ballast regulates a constant flow of power only to keep the gas molecules excited, while a standard filament based light requires a constant intense electrical current...I have confirmed with a simple test that 55W HIDs run significantly cooler than 55W halogens

Where are you getting this idiocy. HIDs use a stabilized electric arc to produce light (very similar to a welding machine). The ballast is used to take the 12 volt current and increase the voltage high enough to overcome the resistance of xenon gas to initiate the arc.

Most 55w systems are BS. And if they're a true 55w system all it's doing is driving a 35w bulb too hard. You get excessive heat and much shorter lifespans. You'll get more light, but there are consequences. How did you measure the bulb temperatures? What time increments did you measure after startup? Do you have a flux meter to measure your hotspots and general light profile? You're throwing out a lot of advice without a lot of data to back it up.

 

[LokiWolf]

I am not the least bit worried.

Here is part of my research:

"Heat Comparison: Halogens vs. HIDs
There have been great debates in regard to which runs hotter. The truth is that the core of an HID bulb runs hotter than a halogen bulb. However, that core's heat is a result of light output and energy, whereas halogen bulbs produce light as a result of heat.

Halogen bulbs use halogen gas, a tungsten filament, and a quartz encasing. The reason why the encasing is quartz is because if it were glass, it would melt as a result of the heat. The current passes through the filament, heating it to the point to where it creates light. Halogen bulb gives off white light using thinner filament. The advantage of thinner filament is that it gives off brighter light. With thinner filament however, it tend to burns out easily and to overcome this problem, manufacturers have been able to increase its lifespan by incorporating halogen gas inside the filament there to prevent oxidization of the hot filament, thus the name halogen bulb. To make a comparison, this is like a space heater.

HID's use a completely different method. The bulb consists of two electrodes placed in very close proximity to each other. The gas used here is Xenon. Unlike with Halogen-filament bulbs, the light is created by the gas, not by a filament. HID's use a ballast which consists of a series of high current capacitors, transistors, and resistors. To light a Xenon bulb in an HID kit, the ballast takes in a small amount of power and sends a very intense charge of electricity across the electrodes. This is why they're called High Intensity Discharge. The electrical charge excites the gas molecules inside the bulb and causes them to discharge photon particles, producing light. because all of the gas in the capsule is used to create the light instead of just one filament, you end up with much brighter overall light output. The ballast regulates a constant flow of power only to keep the gas molecules excited, while a standard filament based light requires a constant intense electrical current to keep the filament hot.

I have confirmed with a simple test that 55W HIDs run significantly cooler than 55W halogens do as a result of this by placing my hand on the surface of the lense after a 30 minute drive.

Lifespan Comparison : Halogens vs. HIDs
HID is said to burn 3 times brighter and 10 times the lifespan of a Halogen bulb. It is obvious that the filament of HIR bulb tend to burns out easily even though halogen gas be incorporated. But the light of HID bulb is created by the Xenon gas, not by a filament. It can light up as long as the ballast regulates a constant flow of power only to keep the Xenon gas molecules excited. That is the reason why some sellers would like to promise a lifetime warranty of HID."

Source: http://www.ebay.com/gds/HID-High-In...IR-Halogen-Infrared-/10000000019666133/g.html

Here is a link to a test, I can't post the article; click the link if you are interested: http://www.stylingwebben.com/page/view/18

Where are you getting this idiocy. HIDs use a stabilized electric arc to produce light (very similar to a welding machine). The ballast is used to take the 12 volt current and increase the voltage high enough to overcome the resistance of xenon gas to initiate the arc.

Most 55w systems are BS. And if they're a true 55w system all it's doing is driving a 35w bulb too hard. You get excessive heat and much shorter lifespans. You'll get more light, but there are consequences. How did you measure the bulb temperatures? What time increments did you measure after startup? Do you have a flux meter to measure your hotspots and general light profile? You're throwing out a lot of advice without a lot of data to back it up.

So partially you are both right. I do not want to get into a Chemistry/Physics discussion. FYI - My degree is Chemistry. The Xenon, ionizes, with the initial burst of VERY high voltage to start the arc. Once the arc is started and the bulb temp increases the voltage output is decreased and stabilized. Additional light output is gained in Modern HID by adding Metal salts in to the equation, the heat created by the initial arc vaporizes them and they are a gas mixed with the inert gas, that is most cases is Xenon. HID's can work in regular air, but their output would be SIGNIFICANTLY less. Multiple things are in play to affect the light color and intensity, including what the metal is coated in on the electrodes, the gas mixture, and the Metal Salts used.

I do agree with Buffy though on one key point, a 55w HID bulb, is in most cases the same as the 35w by the same manufacturer, just with a higher discharge Ballast. Some are not, they are a higher quality of components, to increase luminous efficacy.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Andy: That was irresponsible. It's not a problem for you. It's a problem for every driver you blinded coming toward you. This is wrong. If you can't afford to upgrade to a projector that at least gives a cutoff, don't upgrade to HIDs. Why do you think all those cars and trucks flashed you all the time? Sorry to lecture, it's one of the only light abuses that frustrates me because it imperals others, not you.

I've been call a lot of things in 59 years but never irresponsible. If you knew anything about projector headlights, you would know that there is a metal cutoff plate that keeps the light from forming a 360 degree pattern so they don't blind people. You clearly don't understand how projector headlights work.

I have never been flashed with HIDs in my projectors and while I don't drive at night a lot, I drive on roads with a lot of traffic and on dark back roads. In fact in the 3-1/2 years that I had them in my reflector headlights on the old expedition I maybe had 5 or 6 people flash their beams at me and the were the same people that were blinding me with their low beams that weren't properly aimed. Properly aimed headlights do not blind oncoming drivers regardless of their brightness.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Where are you getting this idiocy. HIDs use a stabilized electric arc to produce light (very similar to a welding machine). The ballast is used to take the 12 volt current and increase the voltage high enough to overcome the resistance of xenon gas to initiate the arc.

Most 55w systems are BS. And if they're a true 55w system all it's doing is driving a 35w bulb too hard. You get excessive heat and much shorter lifespans. You'll get more light, but there are consequences. How did you measure the bulb temperatures? What time increments did you measure after startup? Do you have a flux meter to measure your hotspots and general light profile? You're throwing out a lot of advice without a lot of data to back it up.

I posted two of the sources that I checked prior to making my decision. I didn't do the testing, the testing is in the articles that I referenced. I did pay for high end HIDs and ballasts.

Where is your data? You appear to know so much, back up what you are saying with facts. Where is your credible proof? What sources are you using? Have you checked them for bias? What is your degree in? What is your expertise? Why should I believe you? That's the problem with forums, you have a bunch of guys posting their opinions. They are like ******** everybody has one. Anyone who reads these forums has to have the wherewithal to do their own research and form their own opinions.

 

[buffy]

Where is your data? You appear to know so much, back up what you are saying with facts. Where is your credible proof? What sources are you using? Have you checked them for bias? What is your degree in? What is your expertise? Why should I believe you? That's the problem with forums, you have a bunch of guys posting their opinions. They are like ******** everybody has one. Anyone who reads these forums has to have the wherewithal to do their own research and form their own opinions.

I agree with most of this. I'm a mechanical engineer. I graduated magna *** laude from Vanderbilt University. A $30 Lux meter (which I use) can answer a lot of questions about the light. Some of my thoughts are certainly opinion. I'll own that. But my comments stands. The HID bulb produces a ton of light. The location of the light source of the HID bulb will not be reflected properly in a reflector housing designed for a halogen point source. The cutoff of a projector housing helps, even though it won't technically produce a legal pattern unless it was designed for HID. The reflector housing will pollute too much light above where it needs to be. Period. I'm sorry my comments were antagonistic. In hindsight, it reads harsh. But dude, what I'm telling you isn't opinion. You're fine in your new ride with the projectors, but what you were doing before with the reflector housings was irresponsible.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I agree with most of this. I'm a mechanical engineer. I graduated magna *** laude from Vanderbilt University. A $30 Lux meter (which I use) can answer a lot of questions about the light. Some of my thoughts are certainly opinion. I'll own that. But my comments stands. The HID bulb produces a ton of light. The location of the light source of the HID bulb will not be reflected properly in a reflector housing designed for a halogen point source. The cutoff of a projector housing helps, even though it won't technically produce a legal pattern unless it was designed for HID. The reflector housing will pollute too much light above where it needs to be. Period. I'm sorry my comments were antagonistic. In hindsight, it reads harsh. But dude, what I'm telling you isn't opinion. You're fine in your new ride with the projectors, but what you were doing before with the reflector housings was irresponsible.

Buffy, Thanks for your comments and clarification. I honestly never had any problem with people flashing lights at me with the reflectors but then I did aim them down to make sure they didn't shine in the back windows of cars that I was following. I have an MBA and I have gotten pretty good a doing research and making analytical decisions. I spent over 35 years in the HVAC industry working with design, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers and service technicians so I do understand what you are saying.

I do like the light from the projectors better with the HIDs as opposed to the halogens, and LEDs that I tried didn't work. They didn't project the light as well as the halogens. I measured the location of the filament in halogens and then measured the area between the electrodes they were nearly identical which is probably why they work so well as compared the LEDs that weren't in the same spot, which probably speaks to the focal length of the reflector.

 

[buffy]

Yep, the LEDs suck. Nobody seems to want to do their homework developing a LED that can work as a halogen replacement.

 

[gixer2000]

Yep, the LEDs suck. Nobody seems to want to do their homework developing a LED that can work as a halogen replacement.

That's because they sell like crazy so why do legitimate research and develop a product that performs correctly. Unfortunately the lighting market is flooded with hundreds of different led drop in headlights and because they look brighter or have better color than your halogen people think they are better. The retrofit source has been working on legit led options that will work as a drop in and still have the output that a reflector was intended to have. People need to stop buying them as a drop in so these companies are forced to develop something that performs correctly if they want to make money.

This is why I did the retrofit and morimoto led projector fogs.

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