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Can I just buy HID Projectors?

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Old 07-01-2011, 10:15 AM
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Default Can I just buy HID Projectors?

I have been reading for the past 2 days, and I'm still completely lost.

So far I have:
-HIDs need to be used with projectors (Or else you're an ***)
-Just because lights are projector, doesn't mean they can be used with HIDs?

Is a H1 Bulb always a Xenon? I'm asking because of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-08...d=245092460238
They're Projector, yeah? Page says; "Comes With 9006 Light Bulb For Low Beam, H1 For Hight Beam"

So... they're Xenon and Halogen and projectors? Do I have no idea what I'm talking about?

I dono.

I want HIDs, but I don't want to do a retrofit myself.
My only option is to have someone else retro fit them?
I just can't believe that. No one sells some HID headlights that I can just pop into my truck?
I don't mind doing some wiring, a bit of light DIY doesn't scare me. I just don't feel like doing a complete retrofit... just seems like it will be too much trial and error.

Is my only option really to send a pair of heads out to be retrofitted?

Thanks for any input!
Old 07-01-2011, 10:20 AM
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TheRetrofitSource.com

HIDPlanet.com

GO, READ, CONQUER!!!

Honestly, don't ask about HID here...it's like asking about women in an XBOX 360 forum. 90% of the people don't know what they're talking about but like to talk like they do...
Old 07-01-2011, 10:24 AM
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^ I love that response.

OP- no. H1's are typically used in fog lights and are small bulbs. They are halogen units. Theres HID kits for H1 bulbs (wich is what I have in my Mazda6) but the halogen output of the H1 bulb in a lowbeam projector sucks ballz. You don't have to worry about that though as you have them in the highs.
Old 07-01-2011, 10:29 AM
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Ugh... I don't wanna read anymore!!!

Alright, I'll go back to HIDPlanet...

Real quick though... I can't just buy HID projector lights to pop in my truck? (And mount the ballasts(or something) attach the bla bla bla)
Old 07-01-2011, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Longarms
Ugh... I don't wanna read anymore!!!

Alright, I'll go back to HIDPlanet...

Real quick though... I can't just buy HID projector lights to pop in my truck? (And mount the ballasts(or something) attach the bla bla bla)
There are projector headlight assemblies for sale...however, you never know if they're good projectors or not.

I would send a set of stock headlight assemblies to someone like lightwerkz or another HID retrofiting business and have them do the retrofit for you. That way you know you have good hardware and it will last for a very long time.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...pport-amp-More!
Old 07-01-2011, 11:38 AM
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Yeah, that's what I'll probably end up doing.
Old 07-05-2011, 09:50 AM
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The projectors you can buy complete are almost ALWAYS designed for halogen bulbs. The cutoff won't be "as perfect" but it's a lot better than reflectors when coupled with HID bulbs. And, yes an H1 bulb will likely be an HID bulb because NO OEM application has ever used an H1 halogen bulb.
Old 07-05-2011, 10:01 AM
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^ I have to disagree there, bossman.

My Mazda6 uses an H1 HALOGEN bulb in the low beam. Most H1 applications are fog lights but I guess Mazda decided to use that bulb in the lowbeam. Bastards.

EDIT- a little research on headlight bulbs...
The first halogen bulb for vehicle use, the H1, was introduced in 1962 by a consortium of European bulb and headlamp makers. This bulb has a single axial filament that consumes 55 watts at 12.0 volts, and produces 1550 lumens ±15% when operated at 13.2 V. H2 (55 W @ 12.0 V, 1820 lm @ 13.2 V) followed in 1964, and the transverse-filament H3 (55 W @ 12.0 V, 1450 lm ±15%) in 1966. H1 still sees wide use in low beams, high beams and auxiliary fog and driving lamps, as does H3. The H2 does not see wide use any more because it requires an intricate bulb holder interface to the lamp, has a short life and is difficult to handle. For those reasons, H2 was withdrawn from ECE Regulation 37 for use in new lamp designs (though H2 bulbs are still manufactured for replacement purposes in existing lamps). The use of H1 and H3 bulbs was legalised in the United States in 1997. More recent single-filament bulb designs include the H7 (55 W @ 12.0 V, 1500 lm ±10% @ 13.2 V), H8 (35 W @ 12.0 V, 800 lm ±15% @ 13.2 V), H9 (65 W @ 12.0 V, 2100 lm ±10% @ 13.2 V), and H11 (55 W @ 12.0 V, 1350 lm ±10% @ 13.2 V). 24-volt versions of many bulb types are available for use in trucks, buses, and other commercial and military vehicles.

Last edited by Lenn; 07-05-2011 at 10:05 AM.
Old 07-05-2011, 01:06 PM
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Picked up a spare set of headlights on craigslist for $40. Score.

Once I get my insurance check from my last truck, I can get started on this project.
Old 07-11-2011, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Lenn
^ I have to disagree there, bossman.

My Mazda6 uses an H1 HALOGEN bulb in the low beam. Most H1 applications are fog lights but I guess Mazda decided to use that bulb in the lowbeam. Bastards.

EDIT- a little research on headlight bulbs...

Thank you for the correction, Lenn.


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