Autolamps-Online

What is Xenon Technology

How does it work?

HID also known as Xenon light is based on the gas discharge principle , where an arc of light is created between two electrodes in a glass tube filled with metal salts and inert gases.(This is not to be confused with many manufacturers who call their halogen lamps Xenon see gas filling in a halogen lamp ).

HID  light offers..........

Two to three times more light for half of the energy consumption.
Doubling or trebling of the headlight luminance enabling smaller or more variable headlight designs.
Low levels of infra-red and ultra-violet radiation enabling new materials in headlight construction.

HID System

Can I swap it for halogen?

The xenon headlight burner, unlike  halogen bulbs,  needs electronic control gear  to gain the maximum possible benefits. The electronics control both the initial strike of the lamp and also its burning behavior. Both have a significant impact on the life of the lamps. Also because the arc is totally different both in its position and construction compared to a filament you also need specially designed optics.

HID/Xenon System

Which HID Headlight bulb and why?

The D2S is designed for optimum performance in a projection or ellipsoidal optical unit. It is the ideal solution for auxiliary lights, rally lights and working lights etc.

The D2R is produced with added optical shielding as is clearly seen by the pin striping on the outer envelope. This lamp has been especially designed for reflection optics or complex shape reflectors.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST YOU ATTEMPT TO ADAPT, FIT OR UTILIZE EITHER THE DISCHARGE BURNER OR ELECTRONICS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERTISE AND TRAINING. TO DO SO COULD BE POTENTIALLY FATAL DUE TO THE HIGH VOLTAGES INVOLVED!

What is HID Light?

The HID bulb is a micro discharge bulb filled with a mixture of noble gases including Xenon. The bulb has no filament as is the case with a halogen lamp. The light is created by striking and arc between 2 electrodes. The xenon lamp needs a starter for quick ignition and an electronic ballast to function properly.

What are the advantages of HID/Xenon Headlights?

The HID/xenon headlight bulb, produces 2 to 3 times as much light as a halogen bulb,  whilst only consuming half of the power. Therefore the driver can see more clearly and the car is more economical to run. The light produced by the HID/Xenon bulb is the same as daylight. Research has shown that this enhances driver concentration and thus safety. The life expectancy of the HID/xenon bulb is that of the life of the car and only needs replacing in exceptional cases.

Why was HID/Xenon Light developed?

Over the last decade the car has been made safer and more comfortable  with the introduction of such technologies as ABS, Airbags and Air-conditioning. However 60% of all accidents take place in the dark. Therefore vehicle headlighting plays a very big role in road safety. It is a fact that a 60 year old requires 10-11 times the amount of light to perform the same functions as a 20 years old.  With the increase in the average age of the population more light is required to drive safely.

What is meant by active safety measures?

Better lighting leads to earlier and improved recognition of objects, cyclists, pedestrians and potential hazards ahead. it is also vital that you get as much notice as possible of traffic signs and road markings to be able to react in good time. Therefore better lighting delivers an active contribution to road safety and driver comfort and can save lives.

Can't we improve halogen headlight bulbs?

Yes indeed the latest X-treme Vision,  100% brighter,  Halogen bulb from Philips uses technology improvements in both the construction and components to acheive higher luminence, with this, however, there is always a compromise in life but it does mean that this technology has probably now reached it’s limit.?   HID lighting is brighter and more white and offered the answer to increasing light more efficiently. In future there will be a place for LED in Headlights and they are beginning to be introduced in new cars.