03-17-2018, 03:05 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
Human Environmentalist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,779
Thanks: 4,322
Thanked 4,474 Times in 3,439 Posts
|
Cheapo HID Headlight Efficiency
I've only ever bought cheapo HID ballast/igniter combos. My last pair were only $30 shipped. I expected them to be fairly poor quality at that price. I'll usually lose a ballast after about 6 years of use. The HIDs were rated at 35 watts, 4500k color, and purchased from DDM Tuning.
I measured the current consumption last night and was shocked to find that 1 light pulled 47 watts! It didn't matter much what voltage I ran it. I measured current and voltage 3 different ways, and on 2 different power sources, and they all showed about 47 watts consumption after 5 minutes runtime. This is the same wattage as a halogen while barely outputting more light.
I'm willing to pay a bit more for lights that last longer and are more efficient. If they last a long time, I think it justifies the extra expense since I could even put them in a different vehicle if I sold the car.
My Prius came with H11 projector halogens, so I'm looking to replace the lights with something compatible with H11 and projectors. Is now the time to go LED rather than HID? Any recommendations for either LED or HIDs that are reasonably priced, long lasting, efficient, and put out more light than standard halogens?
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to redpoint5 For This Useful Post:
|
|
Today
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 03:51 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,745
Thanks: 206
Thanked 420 Times in 302 Posts
|
I don't think I would ever use aftermarket headlights, that said, i do greatly prefer HID over halogen.
__________________
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 04:09 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
Human Environmentalist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,779
Thanks: 4,322
Thanked 4,474 Times in 3,439 Posts
|
The cheapo $30 HIDs I'm running are an improvement over the nearly worthless halogen that came stock. They work well in the projector housing with excellent beam pattern and cuttoff. I'm currently running 1 halogen and 1 HID since a ballast just died, and the beam patterns are identical, with more light output coming from the HID.
That said, I went to the "expert" candlepowerforums, but the mods censor discussion so much that there is no useful info. They only allow discussions that support their belief that HIDs are an inferior intermediate technology between halogen and LED. While HID likely is an intermediate technology, it would be good to learn what makes a good vs bad ballast, and who makes good kits.
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 04:37 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 46
Thanks: 1
Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts
|
Have you considered HIR lamps (Halogen Infrared)? They're a relatively new type of halogen that produce about 50% more light per watt than regular halogens, and they have a good hour rating. I used some 9006 HIR replacements in an Acura Integra for about 6 years before I sold the car. I think they were the same wattage as stock (55W?), but quite a bit brighter. I don't know if you'll be able to find some that are lower wattage than stock.
__________________
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to twj347 For This Useful Post:
|
|
03-17-2018, 05:55 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
Human Environmentalist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,779
Thanks: 4,322
Thanked 4,474 Times in 3,439 Posts
|
I hadn't heard of HIR until you mentioned it. Seems they aren't made in the H7 size, otherwise I'd look into that.
I'll probably just throw a spare ballast back into the Prius and keep running these cheapo HIDs till I run out of spares. Hopefully in 6 years good LED replacements will be available.
I'm wondering if the 35 watt rating of the HIDs means to the bulb, with 12 watts lost to the ballast? Now I'm curious if even expensive HID units draw less power. Perhaps I can measure the stock HIDs in the Acura to answer this.
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 06:16 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
Master EcoWalker
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
Posts: 3,999
Thanks: 1,714
Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts
|
My H11 cheapo HIDs in my 2nd gen Insight hold up fairly well for over 5 year now.
One lamp failed quickly, but I had a replacement. The ballasts are original.
They are easily 4 or 5 times as bright as the halogens they replaced. If I have to replace them I'll most likely go for HID again.
Then user Natalya has just installed LEDs in her G2 Insight and they look the deal:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/2010-insight-hyper-black-34574-5.html#post563527
Some more on that on InsightCentral (but the photo's won't show if you're not a member):
What did you do to your G2 Insight today? - Insight Central: Honda Insight Forum
Not as cheap, but affordable nonetheless. The heatsinks on them are wide but not deep.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ink/4445/9995/
__________________
2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gmeter or 0.13 Mmile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to RedDevil For This Useful Post:
|
|
03-17-2018, 07:08 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,745
Thanks: 206
Thanked 420 Times in 302 Posts
|
I've got a question. Are you supposed to use a capacitor in series with the LED light so they don't generate so much heat?
OEM LED's flash on and off quickly, you sometimes see it on video.
Edit: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...HbtmO41mrwRCW6
__________________
Last edited by ksa8907; 03-17-2018 at 07:16 PM..
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 08:53 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
Human Environmentalist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,779
Thanks: 4,322
Thanked 4,474 Times in 3,439 Posts
|
I tested the assumed bad ballast today with a known good bulb, and it works just fine. Looks like either the bulb died, which I haven't experienced yet, or there was a loose connection. My test bulb is the wrong size, so I'll have to order a new H11 set.
Are there major differences in quality or efficiency in bulb brands? I'll stick to the 4,500k range. Any recommendations on a replacement bulb?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksa8907
|
I thought the capacitor was to reduce interfering noise that can mess with the computers.
Last edited by redpoint5; 03-17-2018 at 10:49 PM..
|
|
|
03-17-2018, 11:46 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 1,939
Thanks: 199
Thanked 1,805 Times in 941 Posts
|
If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, these are the best you can get right now. $100, and they'll last the life of the car and then some, with known OEM quality.
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Vman455 For This Useful Post:
|
|
03-21-2018, 05:26 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 1,171
Thanks: 352
Thanked 268 Times in 215 Posts
|
I use these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J6YGGZ8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bought these in 2016 and they still work. They literally just plug in. Only weird part is the do have fan noise at park after running around (bc they are hot).
__________________
"I feel like the bad decisions come into play when you trade too much of your time for money paying for things you can't really afford."
|
|
|
|