Just bought some Depo's after suffering with halogens for what seems like an age!

 

I'm aware that I need to purchase a D2S kit. After reading some old threads it seems that 4300k or 5000k will be the order of the day. However, I'm unsure of what is a good kit to buy...? Can anyone offer some advice please? Ideally I'm after a decent setup that's a reasonable price, but more importantly I would like to have enough cable to mount my ballasts on the inner wing to provide better access and make everything a little neater.

 

I believe I need adaptors if I don't buy a kit is this correct? I've read about problems with the D2S adaptor and the backing plate not fitting on. Are there any slimmer ones available so I won't have this problem? I've also read that some ballasts don't allow for adaptors?

 

On another note, can someone please show me a picture of this 'square' in the backing plate? I presume everyone's on about a hole, but I've had a look at them and can't see any holes in them??

 

Thanks guys :-)

Oh and can someone recommend some decent sidelights to go with the xenons that will last please!?!!

Try Autobulbs direct. Plenty of bulbs to choose from with reviews.

 

I have these. Very bright lots of light look very good. However one of mine has developed a fault but autobulbs have offered to refund or replace, no quibbles. Overall i'm happy.

 

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/501-Long-LED-Extreme-Power-2W-360-degree.html

Edited 28 January, 201412 yr by theezenutz

Use 43k fives will have to much glare but no brighter 43s give out the most light

I have 55w 4300k Ebay China special. Most people seem to stick to the stock 35w. My ballasts are mounted on the inner wing too.

5000k will be fairly blue and the light will less usable.

I've just fitted some Cree LED's as side lights also. I think they are very good!

You are more than welcome to have a nose at mine! I can pm you Ebay links if you're interested?

Hi Alex

 

I can only give my own experience on this, so here goes.

 

I purchase my first D2S kit from HID's Direct, (These: http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/d2-canbus-pro-hid-conversion-35w-kit-dipped-beam/ ) which came with the ballast and D2S adapter as a complete 'one piece' item. Also came with bulbs of which I chose 5000K as I wanted as white a light a possible without any tinge of blue. The issue I had with these though however was that, as you suggested, the D2S lead coming from the ballast was too short and I was only able to mount it on the back plate of the headlight, making it quite difficult open the headlight backplate once fitted.
Pic of how it used to be:

 

I contacted HID's Direct and they allowed me to exchange the ballasts I purchased for ones with connector leads on (These: http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/canbus-pro-mid-slim-hid-ballast-35w-for-hid-kits/ ) and I also purchased some D2S leads from Ebay to accompany these. This gave me the enough cable length to position the ballasts on the inner wings.

 

On the DEPO units, the backplate should have a big square hole in order to pass the D2S leads through? Here's a pic of mine but sealed up with foam rubber

 

 

 

Only issue I have to say I have now though with running these ballasts is with radio interference... Still would like to know if anyone else is experiencing these issues as it's driving me mad!


P.S. side lights I'm using are these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-1w-ULTRA-WHITE-Xenon-High-Power-LED-T10-501-W5W-Sidelight-Bulbs-/270996379859?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f18a498d3 Been going strong now for well over a year!

5000k for best combo of lighting performance/most aesthetically pleasing.

 

4300K best lighting performance.

5000k for best combo of lighting performance/most aesthetically pleasing.

4300K best lighting performance.

Agreed. Then above 5000k is just best chav lights

Love my 5000k hids in mine. Just hate it when people put them in reflector lenses. Just blinds everybody

Thanks for the replies fellas     !

 

Cheers for the detailed reply Ryan. I did a search and came across your previous thread. Cheers for the links to the ballasts! I tried the LED bulbs that you suggested, and I found that they've blown within a month. Saying this... the ones fitted in the interior light have lasted fine.

Strangely, the Depos I've got are supplied with black backing plates, but there's no holes in them at all. So I plan on drilling holes to pop the D2S adaptors through, and then seal them into the plate to see if I can avoid the dreaded condensation...

 

 

Joe, what's the difference between 55W and 35W? I presume they make the light brighter?? Are they legal?!

I did check out the recent update to your project thread, and I've seen the sidelight bulbs you've suggested. Are they worth the extra pennies in your opinion?

 

 

So just to check, basically if I just buy standard ballasts, then D2S adaptors & bulbs, I should have what I need?

 

Definitely going for 4300k, as I'm after the best improvement in light - not so much to just look pretty!

No problem!
Probably a good thing they've supplied you with solid back plates. At least you can use a rubber grommet or something similar to make a proper seal!

 

55W will kick out more light. The only reason I didn't go for them is because the headlights have '35W D2S' stamped on the side of them; but I guess if Joe has had no problems then I assume it'll be fine.

 

Yep you got it! Ballasts, D2S adapter leads, bulbs, and your away!

Cheers Ryan!

 

I'm applying a light smoke lamin-x type film to my lights like I have my current ones, so I think the 55W will nicely combat any tiny loss in light from this. So 55W it is!

 

Happy days, I will have a mooch now and see what I can find :-)

I've never had any problems running the 55w ballasts and bulbs. Are they illegal? Maybe...
They are very bright, but angled correctly so they don't upset people.

The Cree LED's were under a tenner and worth it IMO.

I'll send you a couple of links now...

 

Cree LED's

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321290590487?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

D2S 55W 4300K HID kit

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xenon-HID-KIT-H1-H3-H4LO-H7-H11-HB4-HB3-9006-9005-H8-H9-H3C-H7R-H7C-55W-12-24V-/280750668036?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item415e0b3904

 

You need to state the bulb type (D2S) and colour temp (4300k) at the end of the auction. The Ebay listing is poor and the price is 'too good to be true' but I can confirm that it is the kit  have.

These side lights have been doing me good service for some time...

Cheers Joe. Sorry, another question.... do you have to run 55W bulbs with the 55W ballasts? Can you run 35W bulb if you wish? I've had a quick look and it's not easy to find 4300k & 5000k in 55W D2S format for sale in this country.

 

Cheers both for the link to sidelights 

I just run the bulbs they supply in the kit.

I have heard of people running 35w bulbs with 55w ballasts. It shortens the lifespan of the bulbs.

The hid companies quote a 100% increase in light from the 35w to 55w.

Illegal? No more illegal than a 35w set.

Aslong as you dont put then in reflector housing you shouldnt have any problems.

I (until a fortnight ago) ran 35w dipped and 35w high beam hids in my fabia 2. It was like daylight when the high beams warmed up. However due to the brief on/off times of high beam, i soon blew a bulb. So im sending then back under warranty.

Im glad i didnt use 55w now, as i probably wouldnt be able to see my high beam halogens that iv currently got in, as my eyes would get used to the extra light haha.

I think 35w is plenty though.

I've never had any problems running the 55w ballasts and bulbs. Are they illegal? Maybe...

They are very bright, but angled correctly so they don't upset people.

The Cree LED's were under a tenner and worth it IMO.

I'll send you a couple of links now...

 

Cree LED's

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321290590487?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

D2S 55W 4300K HID kit

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xenon-HID-KIT-H1-H3-H4LO-H7-H11-HB4-HB3-9006-9005-H8-H9-H3C-H7R-H7C-55W-12-24V-/280750668036?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item415e0b3904

 

You need to state the bulb type (D2S) and colour temp (4300k) at the end of the auction. The Ebay listing is poor and the price is 'too good to be true' but I can confirm that it is the kit  have.

 

Notice the kit your using Joe is not Canbus then? Do you not get any bulb warning lights pop up on the dash at all?

 

I know that some lights don't run off a Canbus system on the mk1 Fabia, but I thought considering the main headlights give warnings when a bulb is blown they perhaps were? Or am I totally confusing myself between the whole canbus / blown bulb notifications thing? haha!

Never had a problem with it. I disconnected the dipped beam bulbs at the weekend and I can confirm the blown bulb warning works.

The sidelights are Canbus I believe.