HID Kits
HID light measured in Kelvin
HID Kit - Head Light Bulb Replacement Kit - High Intensity Discharge Lighting - HID Conversion Kit
HID light measured in Kelvin
"High Intensity Discharge" (HID) is a broad term used to describe any lighting system using a gaseous discharge arc lamp in which the gas-filled arc tube operates at several times the normal atmospheric pressure compared to the near vacuum conditions in fluorescent lamps. The various types of HID lamps are categorized and named by the type of gas contained within the arc tube.
The electrical arc produced between the two main electrodes of a HID lamp is much like a runaway short circuit, which can be sustained indefinitely. Once sufficient voltage is present, the gases within the arc tube are "ionized" to where they will conduct the arc current. Arc formation is not an immediate process. It can take several seconds for the arc to be established, and several minutes until full light output is reached.
HID lamps are a negative impedance device. This means that unless controlled, the current would continue to increase, causing the lamp to fail almost instantly after starting. For this reason, a ballast, which is a current-limiting device, must be used with every HID lamp. The ballast serves three functions. It provides the proper starting voltage to establish the arc. Second, it supplies the proper voltage to operate the lamp. Third, the ballast limits the lamp current to a level prescribed by the lamp manufacturer for the particular type of lamp being used. Ballasts must always be matched to the particular lamp type, wattage, and line voltage being used. Never use a ballast for any lamp, installation or purpose other than for which it has been specifically designed.
The ionization voltage of all HID lamps increases greatly when the lamp is hot. If power to the lamp is interrupted, the lamp must be allowed to cool for a time, usually several minutes, before the arc can be reestablished and normal operation resumed. For this reason, some ballasts are available with a tap to operate a standby, or auxiliary, incandescent lamp through an appropriate interface device. The 120-volt lead on a dual-, tri-, and multi-voltage ballast can be used as a tap for standby lighting when a higher line voltage supplies the ballast.
What is Kelvin? Kelvin (K) in relation to HID is the color temperature of light. That light color is on a spectrum that varies from 3,300k to 12,000k. Starting on the left, 3,300k is the color temperature of OEM halogen bulbs. 3,300k is kind of yellowish. The next step up would be 4,300k. 4,300k is the equivalent of sunlight. This will be the brightest and whitest color available with HID bulbs. If you are looking for strictly the brightest bulbs on the market, go with 4,300k. Next is 6,000k. 6,000k has a tint of blue and will be similar to many Infiniti/Nissan factory HID bulbs. 8,000k will be bluer than 6,000k and is similar to many factory BMW and Mercedes HID bulbs. 10,000k and 12,000k will shine a purple light. Although we have those colors available, we don't recommend it. Try and drive at night behind a purple light. These HID kits are more for show.
The color of HID light measured in Kelvin
The color of HID light measured in Kelvin
There is a misconception that color temperature is a rating of the brightness of the HID bulb. The truth is that the higher the color temperature, the less light output from the HID bulb. Again, if you're looking for the maximum amount of light from your HID kit, choose the 4,300k bulb.
What is Lumens? Lumens in relation to HID is the intensity of light. In comparison to OEM halogen bulbs, HID bulbs are on average three to five times brighter. The lumens of an HID bulb will be at least three times greater than the lumens of an OEM halogen bulb. You could compare the power and intensity of HID with a welder's arc. Same principle and same type of light. Instead of a halogen bulb using a filament to create the light source, HID uses an electric arc to create light. This arc of light is far more intense than a halogen filament bulb.
More light = more power requirements This is not true with HID bulbs. The HID kit will produce approximately 23,000 volts. Although a huge amount of power, the HID system will only draw 35 watts of current. The standard OEM halogen bulb will consume 55 watts of power. Therefore the HID system will draw far less current from your vehicle's electrical system. The power conversion is achieved with the use of a ballast. Like a florescent home lighting system, the florescent ballast generates more electricity for the bulb but consumes less electricity in comparison to a standard incandescent bulb.
Which bulb do I need for my vehicle? Click here to view the Sylvania OEM head lamp guide
The electrical arc produced between the two main electrodes of a HID lamp is much like a runaway short circuit, which can be sustained indefinitely. Once sufficient voltage is present, the gases within the arc tube are "ionized" to where they will conduct the arc current. Arc formation is not an immediate process. It can take several seconds for the arc to be established, and several minutes until full light output is reached.
HID lamps are a negative impedance device. This means that unless controlled, the current would continue to increase, causing the lamp to fail almost instantly after starting. For this reason, a ballast, which is a current-limiting device, must be used with every HID lamp. The ballast serves three functions. It provides the proper starting voltage to establish the arc. Second, it supplies the proper voltage to operate the lamp. Third, the ballast limits the lamp current to a level prescribed by the lamp manufacturer for the particular type of lamp being used. Ballasts must always be matched to the particular lamp type, wattage, and line voltage being used. Never use a ballast for any lamp, installation or purpose other than for which it has been specifically designed.
The ionization voltage of all HID lamps increases greatly when the lamp is hot. If power to the lamp is interrupted, the lamp must be allowed to cool for a time, usually several minutes, before the arc can be reestablished and normal operation resumed. For this reason, some ballasts are available with a tap to operate a standby, or auxiliary, incandescent lamp through an appropriate interface device. The 120-volt lead on a dual-, tri-, and multi-voltage ballast can be used as a tap for standby lighting when a higher line voltage supplies the ballast.
What is Kelvin? Kelvin (K) in relation to HID is the color temperature of light. That light color is on a spectrum that varies from 3,300k to 12,000k. Starting on the left, 3,300k is the color temperature of OEM halogen bulbs. 3,300k is kind of yellowish. The next step up would be 4,300k. 4,300k is the equivalent of sunlight. This will be the brightest and whitest color available with HID bulbs. If you are looking for strictly the brightest bulbs on the market, go with 4,300k. Next is 6,000k. 6,000k has a tint of blue and will be similar to many Infiniti/Nissan factory HID bulbs. 8,000k will be bluer than 6,000k and is similar to many factory BMW and Mercedes HID bulbs. 10,000k and 12,000k will shine a purple light. Although we have those colors available, we don't recommend it. Try and drive at night behind a purple light. These HID kits are more for show.
The color of HID light measured in Kelvin
The color of HID light measured in Kelvin
There is a misconception that color temperature is a rating of the brightness of the HID bulb. The truth is that the higher the color temperature, the less light output from the HID bulb. Again, if you're looking for the maximum amount of light from your HID kit, choose the 4,300k bulb.
What is Lumens? Lumens in relation to HID is the intensity of light. In comparison to OEM halogen bulbs, HID bulbs are on average three to five times brighter. The lumens of an HID bulb will be at least three times greater than the lumens of an OEM halogen bulb. You could compare the power and intensity of HID with a welder's arc. Same principle and same type of light. Instead of a halogen bulb using a filament to create the light source, HID uses an electric arc to create light. This arc of light is far more intense than a halogen filament bulb.
More light = more power requirements This is not true with HID bulbs. The HID kit will produce approximately 23,000 volts. Although a huge amount of power, the HID system will only draw 35 watts of current. The standard OEM halogen bulb will consume 55 watts of power. Therefore the HID system will draw far less current from your vehicle's electrical system. The power conversion is achieved with the use of a ballast. Like a florescent home lighting system, the florescent ballast generates more electricity for the bulb but consumes less electricity in comparison to a standard incandescent bulb.
|
Bulb Temperature
|
HID Lumens
|
Color
|
OEM Halogen Bulb Lumens |
|
3000K
|
2950
|
Yellow
|
800 |
|
4300K
|
3200
|
White with slight yellow
|
800 |
|
6000K
|
3140
|
White starting to look blue
|
800 |
|
8000K
|
3100
|
Blue with a hint of purple
|
800 |
|
10,000K
|
2950
|
Blue to Purple
|
800 |
|
12,000K
|
2920
|
Purple
|
800 |
Which bulb do I need for my vehicle? Click here to view the Sylvania OEM head lamp guide
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