Advice on HID's, Please

[FlexdXJ]

FlexdXJ is actually who got me started thinking about the DDM kit. I have a few more questions...

1. what is the optimal size bulb? 5000k, 6000k? I saw you're not susposed to run anything higher than the 6000k, is this right?Not exactly sure but 5000k is pretty much white. I'd go with a 4300 or 5000K(which i got)
2. the HD harness that FlexdXJ runs, is that just "heavy duty", or is HD a brand? I looked into the Big Offroad, and others, and would rather make my own with about 12awg wire, would this be ideal?I ordered it off of ebay it was 24.95 plus shipping
3. which kit did you get from DDM? They have the Raptor and the Slim kit. I figure I have plenty of room to not have to use the Slim kit, but I'm not sure.
4. what size wattage did you get? 35w or 55w?I got the raptor v2 kit in 55w
5. is 55w overkill?Probably
6. where is the best place to buy the Autopals, everyone raves about? I see things on fleabay, but I'm not sure which one is right. here is a link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/200m...rQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2842wt_958 rimiinc is the store that sells them.
7. so is the general consensus that the E-codes are the best, rather than DOT? also, stay away from the diamond cuts I hear, is this true too? I assume the crystal clear lenses are the best?Thats debatable. I run the e-codes and can't complain. I just don't want to pay around $100 for cibies or IPF's. Projector retrofits are of course the best option but are expensive

thanks guys, this has been extremely helpful, now I think I have enough confidence to pull this off.

Overall I am happy with my setup. It can and will be improved upon when I feel it is necessary.

 

[Darky]

I like this comparison of HID in a stock housing Vs. a proper retrofit.

Nice comparison...8000k vs 4300k. 8000k would be dimmer and that hideous blue no matter what. 4300k will of course look better, it's very closely replicates natural sunlight. Find a comparison of 4300k in H4 housings vs 4300k in projectors, that might actually be relevant.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Darky is correct. the higher you go in the temperature scale, the less visible light is produced as you head towards the UV wavelengths. 4300°k is the peak lumen output for HID setups, and is closest to natural light. 5000°k is pure white light.

 

[hubs97xj]

2. the HD harness that FlexdXJ runs, is that just "heavy duty", or is HD a brand? I looked into the Big Offroad, and others, and would rather make my own with about 12awg wire, would this be ideal?

6. where is the best place to buy the Autopals, everyone raves about? I see things on fleabay, but I'm not sure which one is right.
7. so is the general consensus that the E-codes are the best, rather than DOT? also, stay away from the diamond cuts I hear, is this true too? I assume the crystal clear lenses are the best?

Here is the "BOR/HD/eAutoworks" harness. It's just a basic 14AWG harness. This one has the higher amperage relays. For HID, you might not see much improvement by going to 12 AWG.

Headlight harness

With regards to the autopals and which ones, that's been covered quite a few times. I suggest reading the threads, and comparing the various setups. Remember, it's not just about the cheapest possible HID setup- it's also about not blinding those you share the road with. I am one of the cheap bastards using Autopal E codes, along with the harness, but I'm using stock (60/55W) H4s, and am careful to aim them properly.

 

[DanMan2k06]

Good HID output

Bad HID output

 

[FlexdXJ]

Good HID output

Bad HID output

But what do the first and second pictures look like up against a wall? Mine aren't perfect I know that but you are comparing a huge area to a brick wall 10ft. in front of the car. Also, Like i have said before I have had 1 car flash me but I have mine properly aimed. I may bring them down just a hair more but When I am behind a car at a light my lights are well below eye level.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Find a comparison of 4300k in H4 housings vs 4300k in projectors, that might actually be relevant.

This. Every one raves about how much better it is but I can't say I have seen pictures of each side by side. :dunno: Not saying its not better but I want to see pics.

 

[xcm]

im glad i make the kleenex wet with my HID's.

 

[FlexdXJ]

im glad i make the kleenex wet with my HID's.

Your HID's make a kleenex wet? What brand are those?

 

[slappomatt]

I have the DDM 55W HI low in 4500K with hella housings and I'm pretty happy. I have them aimed conservatively so I don't think they are that blinding to others. I do have to say the projectors pictured here look rather impressive but that's going to be ALOT of work and probably some $ as well.

 

[DanMan2k06]

Dual 4300k wall shots? Ok.

vs

Not trying to start an argument. I just like HID porn

Edit: the first ones look to be more of 6000k than 4300

 

[Darky]

Dual 4300k wall shots? Ok.

vs

The first one is actually decent too amongst some that I've seen. Of course the two exposures are different, but you get it.

And now post a comparison of price/ease of install. No one here is claiming that projectors are bad or even that H4 housings are just as good. However, they aren't the worst thing in the world.

Nice cutoff on those projectors though.

 

[iwannadie]

Nice comparison...8000k vs 4300k. 8000k would be dimmer and that hideous blue no matter what. 4300k will of course look better, it's very closely replicates natural sunlight. Find a comparison of 4300k in H4 housings vs 4300k in projectors, that might actually be relevant.

It's all about the cutoff, the light can be any color to compare just the cutoff. Having the same temp light would make no difference in the cutoff patterns.

Just to beat the dead horse a bit longer, read more here. It's funny how using HIDs in halogen housings is illegal is so many countries around the world(including the US). Then there's the water proofing hazard when using them in halogen housing.

The most dangerous part of the attempt to "retrofit" Xenon headlamps is that sometimes you get a deceptive and illusory "improvement" in the performance of the headlamp. The performance of the headlamp is perceived to be "better" because of the much higher level of foreground lighting (on the road immediately in front of the car). However, the beam patterns produced by this kind of "conversion" virtually always give less distance light, and often an alarming lack of light where there's meant to be a relative maximum in light intensity. The result is the illusion that you can see better than you actually can, and that's not safe.

 

[hubs97xj]

And as a counterpoint, from that very same article you linked....

Don't be fooled; it's an error to judge a beam pattern solely by its cutoff.

The horse is evil, and must be destroyed. hasta

 

[FlexdXJ]

Hmmm.... I wonder if my cousin will notice the projectors on his CTS are missing! The cutoff is awesome on those but the hassle/expense of doing a retrofit just doesn't seem necessary to me. I would rather spend money on stuff that keeps the Jeep together on the street and trail!

 

[FoMoCo]

there's no doubt that projectors are much better than conversions, but for ~$40 in housings + $43 for a ddm 55w kit my jeep has 1000% better light than stock even with conservative aiming, and I've never had anyone flash me. I also just got done converting 3 hella 500ff's on the front bumper and holy crap its daylight on the trail now :sunshine:

 

[FlexdXJ]

and I've never had anyone flash me. I also just got done converting 3 hella 500ff's on the front bumper and holy crap its daylight on the trail now :sunshine:

Been thinking about doing that to my Lightforces but thats gonna cost a pretty penny!

 

[derrickdrew17]

Been thinking about doing that to my Lightforces but thats gonna cost a pretty penny!

Should have got the HID lightforces lol Well worth the money!!!

 

[VestaviaPirate]

2 more questions, ya'll have been a wealth of knowledge so far! I built my own harness, 12awg all around. I haven't installed it yet, I'm waiting for a camera to do before and after, but even if it sounds vain, my harness looks damn good. anyways, here are my two questions...

Q1. I decided to do voltage readings, and since I'm not an expert in the electrical portion of Jeeps, I wanted to know if ya'll could look at my numbers and tell me what you think...

Voltage|(Engine Off)(Engine On)
----------------------------------
Battery|(12.39)(13.68)
Hi Beams|(10.81)(12.38)
Lo Beams|(.60)(.66)

Q2. someone on here suggested this guy (( http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep...ZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessorieson )) ebay for an HID kit. looks sketchy, anyone has any thoughts? I still like the DDM Tuning, but might not get it because they only deliver to the billing address of the CC, and since I can't really do that, so I'm looking into other alternatives.

 

[hubs97xj]

.60 and .66 VDC for the low beams? I think that's a little low.