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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

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Tcochrane92
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Tcochrane92 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:20 am

The light output from the standard halogen bulbs is poor. The light output from the standard xenon bulbs is better, but still poor.

What's the best solution for improving the xenon headlights for usable light output?

From a bit of research I think these bulbs will be best:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Xenarc ... SwdnZaCfSo

Does anyone have any experience with these or other aftermarket bulbs?

Is it possible to do some of other upgrade? e.g. change the ballast too?

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by cj10jeeper » Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:07 am

Changing bulbs won’t help much at all. The Zed issue is the low level they are set at
You are right sticking to 4-5k as they give the most usable light for human Vision, albeit not as white as some like, however with the ones you link to but I doubt it makes any real difference to light output
You could
Adjust the lights up slightly but not to dazzle
go to 50w xenon but from memory they are illegal
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by philbo909 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:42 am

I struggle to see how the xenon output is poor, full beam isn't really needed with the lights my zed. Go any brighter and you start dazzling other drivers imo
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by mjennings23 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 2:05 pm

I'd imagine stripping and cleaning the projector housing and glass would exhibit the biggest improvement, considering they'll be at least 9 years old by this point, possibly up to 14. I'm running those Osram bulbs and they're better, but still feel quite lacking compared to other OEM xenons in different cars, BMW and others.

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by bradz » Sun Dec 17, 2017 2:12 pm

Your best bet is...

Leaving the headlight on the car, take the lamp out and you can undo a few nuts and remove the projector, you will find it is covered in a dirty film.. This will improve the light output.
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Tcochrane92 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:34 pm

Thanks guys, I think my best bet is to clean the projector lens as mjennings23 & bradz says, then install the osrams. That's my Christmas project sorted :P
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by mmm-five » Sun Dec 17, 2017 4:21 pm

I hadn’t noticed how ‘dim’ my xenons had become as they’d gradually changed over 10 years and 145,000 miles.

One had started giving errors, so I decided to replace the pair, and whilst I (DLV) was in there we removed the projector lenses and cleaned the crud off them.

The combination of both has made night driving less of a chore as I can see the edges of the carriageway more easily, and can pick out signs, rocks, potholes & and critters from further away.

The only thing left to do on my lights is to get the plastic lenses polished as they’re a bit ‘frosty’ from all the accumulated stone chips.
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Johnr32 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:37 pm

The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Ducklakeview » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm

Johnr32 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:37 pm The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by mjennings23 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 am

Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm
Johnr32 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:37 pm The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

Mike
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by dhobbs » Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:35 am

mjennings23 wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 am
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm
Johnr32 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:37 pm The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

I'll be interested in this too.
I've polished the outer lense and replaced the xenon bulbs but still think it could be improved.
Mike
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Ducklakeview » Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:03 pm

mjennings23 wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 am
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm
Johnr32 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:37 pm The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

Mike
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!
4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.

Mike

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Tcochrane92 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:14 pm

Ducklakeview wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:03 pm
mjennings23 wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 am
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm

As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

Mike
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!
4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.

Mike
Wheel off job I'd imagine, Mike?
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by mjennings23 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:43 pm

Well that's simple. Think I'll make a day of it anyway and take the full light out, that way I can give it a sand back and polish the outer lens too. They're not bad but I have the free time after this week, thanks to the office shutting down for 2 weeks...

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Best way to improve xenon headlights?

Post by Chris_D » Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:27 pm

Ducklakeview wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:03 pm
mjennings23 wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 am
Ducklakeview wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm

As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!

Mike
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!
4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.

Mike
Is it bumper off to replace xenon ballast mike? me right one's gone pop. it's def the ballast and not the bulb sadly.
Was going to clean up the lenses on both while i'm at it....
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