HID conversions - Help!!

[pmelec]

Hi all,

Been looking to upgrade to HID's for a long time, talked to a few friends about it recently and one said that is completely ILLEGAL!!

This threw me into a spin of scouring the internet for answers, and all I can find is some people say yes and some dont.

Does anyone really know if they are legal??! or if some are legal or not ?!?!

any help would be good!

Cheers in advance

Mark

[OxtonyxO]

you can fit them ,BUT

they have to be self leveling and with head lamp washers

[Mike]

you can fit them ,BUT

they have to be self leveling and with head lamp washers

Only on new vehicles.

[Guy88]

you can fit them ,BUT

they have to be self leveling and with head lamp washers

Only on new vehicles.

not according to the boxes they come in

[Mike]

Really? So something that isn't technically legal to use has a warning on the box about washers and levelling

[MrMPuk]

We've already had this and someone posted a link, it is illegal as Tony says.

[pmelec]

Well after a bit of umming and ahhing about it, I bought a conversion kit from a local auto accessory shop - you know the type!!

fitted them, and it was an absolute doddle the worst bit was it was starting to rain.

They look the dogs danglies.

MOT cam round last week and sailed through no trouble at all.

any ways some pics:

The kit in its box


main beam at night before


Main beam at night After


What they look like in the day


Needles to say im chuffed with them!!

I will be fitting them to my car soon aswell.

Mark

[madmark]

they are the nuts i am so pleased with mine!

[spudmab]

they look cool,

how much did the kit cost,

and where did you get them from,

i wouldn't mind a set for mine

[madmark]

there is all sorts of kits out there on ebay ,thats were i got mine from! they cost me £95 includeing post i went for 6000k type

[pmelec]

Thanks for comments!

I paid a bit more than I wanted too, but I wanted somewhere local to take them back too if needed. I paid £140 all in, then claim the lovely vat back, tee hee hee.

They are really easy to fit and anyone pondering to get them should, they make so much difference when driving in the night!!

Anyways the modding continues.... Remap on july 1st!!

[Mike]

I found that while dip beam was very good, there is a dark area just infront of the vaqn when on main beam. HIDS4U have a new bulb now which claims to solve this issue. What annoys me is that they (HIDS4U) have always claimed that their HIDs have perfect beams, I guess the latest ones are more perfect than previous ones

[DazC]

It is illegal to convert a normal halogen headlamp for use with HID bulbs.

The get out clause is the words "convert for use with.."

If you do not "convert" your headlamp to use HID bulbs and merely fit a pair of bulbs, they are not illegal...

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

Technically the headlamp is not being "converted" in any way shape or form for use with HID bulbs. The headlamp unit remains untouched.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

Technically that relates to a complete headlamp unit being supplied, (ie all three parts as listed), and people are only retro fitting bulbs in most cases.

[mikke]

I feel a conversion coming on.
i have exactly the same kit in my garage.

[mikke]

The only problem is the bulbs. if your on a trip at night and one blows
you can hardly pick one up in a texaco ?