How to install Xenon lamps by yourself
Xenon lamp was developed in the 40s of the last century. This light source with a uniform spectrum close to natural light was originally used for stage lighting. Since the early 90's xenon lights began to be widely used in automotive lighting as lamps for headlights and driving lights. Xe-based lamps are not used for turn signals and parking lights - they do not like to turn on and off frequently.
What you need to install xenon lamps
You can install and connect xenon yourself. To do this, you will need:
- Xenon lamps proper;
- Ignition units - one for each headlamp;
- High voltage wires from the ignition unit to the lamps;
- ordinary wires from the on-board network and control circuit to the ignition units.
In many cases, all of this can be purchased as a kit, but it can also be purchased individually. You will also need materials to attach the ignition units inside the car. Depending on the method you choose, these can be:
- plastic ties (clamps);
- double-sided adhesive tape;
- self-tapping screws for metal.
Do not do without small carpentry tools (screwdrivers, wrenches) - to be selected in the course of work.
Xenon connection diagram
Connection scheme is not complicated, but it is different for the two versions of the lamps - xenon and bixenon. What they have in common is the presence of the ignition unit (it is often called incorrect in this case the term - ballast). This is fundamentally necessary unit. To initiate arc ignition it is necessary to ionize the interelectrode gap with a voltage of 25-30 kV for a short time. After that the voltage can be reduced to a few tens of volts - this is enough to maintain the physical processes that cause glow. The ignition unit is responsible for generating these voltages. It is connected between the 12 volt lighting control circuit and the Xe-based lamp.
If the standard headlight uses separate lamps for low and high beam, a separate xenon lamp with its own ignition unit is installed instead of each lighting element.
If the regular headlight used a single filament lamp for the low and high beam, you will need to put a bi-xenon lamp. Its brightness and intensity of luminescence are regulated by external signal:
- built-in shutter (bi-xenon lens, outdated version, almost never produced);
- changing the position of the bulb.
You will need an additional signal switching dipped beam to high beam. Its formation depends on the original scheme of electrical equipment of the car, so connect the control wire in many cases will have to be on the spot.
There are two basic schemes for the inclusion of a bi-xenon lamp. The first is with the use of a diode. It decouples the ignition and control circuits.
A little more complicated is the circuit separation of circuits using electromagnetic relay. The connection of the connector to the control circuit of the far-distant lighting is selected on the basis of the actual circuit of the electrical equipment of the machine.
Xenon bulb selection rules
First of all, you must choose lamps by a proven manufacturer. In the Russian market have a good reputation firms:
- Osram;
- Sho-Me;
- Philips;
- Silverstar;
- ClearLight;
- other domestic and foreign manufacturers.
But even in the line of lamps from one manufacturer there are products with different technical characteristics. Before you yourself install bi-xenon or xenon, you must make an informed choice on these parameters.
According to the compatibility of the socket
Xenon bulbs are available in three socket series – H, D, HB. The application and purpose of the lamps within the series are summarized in the table.
| Series | Plinth | Application |
|---|---|---|
| H | H1 | High beam, dipped beam, fog lights |
| H3 | H3 High beam, seldom high beam | |
| H4 | Bi-Xenon headlamps for low and high beam modes | |
| H7 | High beam | |
| H8 | PTF, rare | |
| H9 | High beam, rare, mostly in German cars | |
| H10 | Rarely encountered | |
| H11 | Sidelights in Japanese cars | |
| H27 | Your headlamps for Korean-made cars | |
| D | D1S | Middle beam. Integrated ignition unit. |
| D1R | Near beam. Has an anti-parasite coating. | |
| D2C | Middle-beam light. For fitting in headlight lenses. | |
| D2R | Near beam. | |
| D4S | Near beam. Fitted in Toyota and Lexus cars with lens headlights. | |
| HB | HB2 (9004) | Seldom used |
| HB3(9005) | High beam, less frequent - PTF. | |
| HB4 (9006) | PTF | |
| HB5(9007) | Seldom encountered |
H4 socket is the most popular and the most common. The H1 socket is the most universal. Selection of the light-emitting element by this design is simple - if you do not want to bother with remodeling, you have to buy a lamp with the socket that stood before. H4 size, by the way, is very common in halogens, so the installation of discharge lamps to replace OEM in most cases is not difficult.
By glow temperature and power consumption
We should say right away that the term "color temperature" (CT) does not refer to the actual temperature that can be measured with a thermometer. In fact, the melting point of steel, for example, is about 1500 K, tungsten about 3500 K. It is hard to imagine what material should be used to make a luminaire that can withstand heat up to 5000...7000 K. In fact, if you do not go deep into the physical phenomena, the color temperature only describes the emission spectrum of the source of white light, or its hue.
The emission spectrum of pure xenon has a color temperature of about 6200 K, which means a shift to the blue part. This parameter is not very comfortable for the human eye. The retina has the greatest sensitivity to light whose spectrum corresponds to about 4600 K. Therefore, the best efficiency lamps are considered to be with this color temperature. The emission spectrum is shifted toward the yellow part by adding various impurities (including mercury vapor) to xenon. Also the color of the bulb has some effect on the DT.
Lamps with a large shift to the yellow area, around 3500 K color temperature, also give good results. Shifting the spectrum of radiation in the blue area (DT 5500 K and above) gives a good decorative effect, but as a lighting device such a lamp works worse. It reduces the perception of the outlines of objects and worsens color perception.
When it comes to power, motorists have little choice. Lamps are available for 35 or 55 watts. The first option is enough for all occasions. Increasing the power makes no practical sense - enhanced light radiation fatigues the driver's eyes, creating too sharp shadows. And the probability of blinding oncoming drivers increases.
How to connect correctly
Proper connection of xenon emitters is associated not only with technical issues, but also with problems with the law. Before you go to the store for a set of lighting equipment, it will be correct to study the regulatory documentation.
In conventional headlights.
Technically, you can put xenon light emitters in regular headlights. It is especially easy to do if the standard headlamp has H4 headlight base. Conversion in this case consists in drilling a hole in the back of the bulb for an additional wire and installing ignition units under the hood. They should be installed so as to minimize dust and moisture penetration. The high-voltage wires should not be in a taut condition.
Whatever type of headlight you install a xenon or bi-xenon lamp, the ignition unit must be located so that you do not have to cut the high-voltage wires (to shorten or lengthen the insert). Artisanal methods to restore the insulation of the cut wire at the right level of quality will not work.
After connecting according to the chosen scheme, you can enjoy the bright light without leaving the garage. To use the converted headlights on public roads, you need at least:
- adjust the beam of light in accordance with GOST;
- Equip headlights with washers (otherwise, dirt particles will scatter bright light and redirect it in different directions, blinding oncoming drivers);
- If the car is equipped with hydraulic correctors, you need to make sure that they work;
- If there are no hydro correctors, you have to solve this issue somehow.
After that, you will have to visit the department of the traffic police to legalize the changes. It will be extremely difficult to legalize the installation of xenon in the lighting fixtures, not designed for this purpose. You will have to drive from one traffic police post to another, collecting finesBut that's not the worst thing. The worst thing is that all oncoming drivers will be blinded, and it can lead to an accident.
In the fog lights.
Before installing gas-discharge light emitters in PTFs, you should read the marking on the headlight. The letter H means that the device is designed for use only with a halogen bulb, and all problems are reduced to the previous section. If, on the other hand, the lamp is marked with the letter D, the installation xenon elements is legal.
Technically, the connection of xenon emitters in this case is not more complicated than for conventional headlights. But PTF in most cases are located below the main lighting devices. It means that the choice of mounting location for the ignition units is limited. The length of wires narrows the options for mounting units in protected places.
In the lensed headlights.
The most correct way to legally install xenon in the main lights of the car. Such headlights give the most directional beam of light and reduce the risk of dazzling oncoming drivers.
There are two options for installing xenon in the lensed headlights:
- If the manufacturer installed the lensed optics and it is marked D, there is no problem. It is necessary to buy a kit for installation and perform the installation yourself or turn to professionals.
- If the manufacturer does not to install the lens headlamps.If the manufacturer does not provide for the installation of lens headlights, you must apply to the traffic police and get a preliminary permission. It is also necessary to pass the examination on the possibility of installing xenon and lens equipment. Then you can buy a set of lighting, with the obligatory receipt from the seller's copy of the certificate. Then you need to pass the expertise again, install the optics, and go for the technical inspection. All changes must be entered in the car's documents.
This procedure is long, but it is possible to pass it. But all the problems will be eliminated.
It will also be useful: How to check the xenon ignition unit.
For clarity we recommend a series of thematic videos.
Obviously, the installation of xenon light emitters involves a number of problems, despite the many advantages,. When deciding to equip your car with these modern elements of lighting equipment, you need to think not only about your comfort and how to protect your pocket from fines. The most important thing is to keep traffic safety in mind.