HID/Xenon Technology
HID xenon bulbs are quite a recent development in automotive lighting technology. The HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, which refers to the unique way in which the bulbs produce their light. Unlike ordinary halogen headlight bulbs, HID xenon bulbs do not contain a conventional metal filament, so in order to ignite the xenon gas and metal halide within the glass bulb a very high voltage spark is needed which is delivered by two electrodes.
The high voltage that is used to generate the spark is around 20,000 volts, which is considerably higher than a car’s normal 12 volt supply and so a metal box, called a ballast unit, is fitted to help boost the voltage. Once the spark has been generated and the bulb is illuminated the voltage drops down to a steady 85 volts.
The xenon gas belongs to the group of elements known as the noble gases, and is held within a single sealed glass tube above the base of the bulb. When ignited the xenon helps to produce a light that is 300% brighter than halogen, and because the light is also much whiter it more closely resembles natural daylight.
Are HID Kits Right For Your Car?
HID stands for High Intensity Discharger and HID kits are used for upgrading a vehicle’s headlights. Some of the benefits of this modification include low power consumption and a better intensity of light. Many companies have recognized the worth of HID lights and therefore these lights are part of almost all new car and truck models. However, if you have an old car and would like to improve its performance then installing an HID conversion kit can prove to be a great modification. Buying these kits from a reputable car parts manufacturer is a good option to avoid legal issues and other reliability problems.
It has been found that HID lights produce up to 3 times more light than simple halogen bulbs which are factory installed. Furthermore, they require only 35 Watt power as compared to 55 Watt required by halogen bulbs. The technology used in these types of headlights is somewhat different and the functionality is optimized to bring about a positive change to your car’s performance. Reliable manufacturers provide waterproof and shockproof HID kits to their customers that can last for many years to come. Many people want to install these kits as they are not only cost effective but are also very easy to install.
Colour Temprature (‘K’) vs Brightness
It is a common misconception that higher colour temperatures (K’s) produce brighter lights. This is not true. The colour temperature only determines the colour but not the brightness of the HID light. The Colour Temperature is simply a scale represented by the Kelvin Temperature Chart (hence the abbreviation “K” or “K’s”) as decpited above that measures the colour of the light output. Typically, the higher the colour temperature, the closer you get to achieving bluish to purplish light colours.