I recently bought an HID kit from another Briskoda member and have mailed him to ask a question, but he's not been back on since I got it. Anyway I'm a little confused as there are no instructions to follow.

I believe the metal units are called ballasts and that I connect this to the exisiting power supply to the original lights, then plug the zenon bulb lead into the ballast? That seems simple enough to me (if I'm right!). What confuses me is that there are 3 metal ballasts, surely there should only be 2?

I wonder why he sold them?

Don't forget that the new MOT rules now require you to have working headlight washers and self-levelling with HID's.

He sold his car and returned it to standard before hand. Yes I'm aware of the mot rule. They didnt cost me very much so will weigh up the full cost of doing whats necessary to make them legal, but in the meantime I want to test them out and make sure they are working ok.

I recently bought an HID kit from another Briskoda member and have mailed him to ask a question, but he's not been back on since I got it. Anyway I'm a little confused as there are no instructions to follow.

I believe the metal units are called ballasts and that I connect this to the exisiting power supply to the original lights, then plug the zenon bulb lead into the ballast? That seems simple enough to me (if I'm right!). What confuses me is that there are 3 metal ballasts, surely there should only be 2?

Hi

Yes you only need two, one for each side, but poss one is a spare, best thing to do is check them before you fit them, connect the lamps to

the output, and then connect a bit of wire from the input to a battery, and the lamps should light, and do for both lamps, and then check out

the third ballast, just to check it, if both lamps light, and all ballasts work then fit to car.

But just be careful with the output of the ballast, its about 11,000 volts !

Radiotwo

Lol I'll try and be careful then!

I notice that next to the bulbs there are 2 red wires with "ring" attachments (cant think how best to describe them).

Any idea what they will connect to? Will take a photo 2mrw and post it to explain.

Hid lamps , self leveling ect are currently NOT testable items on mot's

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

This is the most up to date testers guide from VOSA ^^^^^

Save the Mot urban myths for the pub!

Edited 24 July, 201114 yr by VAG123

Hid lamps , self leveling ect are currently NOT testable items on mot's

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

This is the most up to date testers guide from VOSA ^^^^^

Save the Mot urban myths for the pub!

No, but they are next year!!

It doesnt seem straight forward to make them legal, think I'll see what theyre like and if there isnt a lot of glare (when on low dipped setting) then I will just take them out for mot. The most important thing for me is not to **** off other drivers.

No, but they are next year!!

Only proposed at the moment......might never come into force

It may be only proposed at the moment, but the proposal is quite advanced. From the draft of the 2012 testers manual:

Information.

High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED dipped beam headlamps (whether original fitment or after-market) must be fitted with a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling. This may be achieved by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems. However, some high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have limited luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system.

Where headlamp levelling or cleaning devices are missing or defective, but there is doubt as to whether they are required, the benefit of the doubt should be given and an advisory notice issued.

Method of inspection.

2. Check mandatory headlamp levelling and cleaning devices for presence and operation.

Reason for rejection.

2. A mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

Testers were told at seminars earlier this year that this will be part of next years test, so hardly an urban myth.

Is there any guidance on how to check for the self-levelling? Headlight washers tend to be pretty obvious, but the self-levelling can be effected using a couple of strain guages, and checking if they are present on the suspension doesn't prove that they're connected. If the adjustment is "correct" for the vehicle as presented (should be un or lightly loaded AIUI) then the adjuster motors shouldn't do anything anyway.

Claims about speed of operation shouldn't apply because hydraulic self-levelling suspension can take several seconds to restore normal ride height when a load is added or removed.

I notice that next to the bulbs there are 2 red wires with "ring" attachments (cant think how best to describe them).

Any idea what they will connect to?

^^^

Anyone know what theyre for?

^^^

Anyone know what theyre for?

Maybe for hooking them up to the DRL's so they're less glaring when you have dipped/mains on.

"Where headlamp levelling or cleaning devices are missing or defective, but there is doubt as to whether they are required, the benefit of the doubt should be given and an advisory notice issued."

Well that makes it easy to answer

Car fitted with aftermarket hid kits

Pass and advise it is then!!!

Edited 26 July, 201114 yr by VAG123