HID Dip & Main Beam

CIVHEAD · 29th November 2006, 19:18

I noticed the other day, if you flash someone during the daytime both dip & main beam come on. Cant do the hid bulbs anygood

JPDirect · 29th November 2006, 19:45

Hi Civhead,

I noticed that too! A quick flash (whilst looking at the front of the car through the reflection of the showroom window) with the full beam hardly gave the HIDS time to heat up, it looked a bit like lightning.

I wonder if this is BAD for the HIDS... Anyone?

czechplastik · 29th November 2006, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPDirect

Hi Civhead,

I noticed that too! A quick flash (whilst looking at the front of the car through the reflection of the showroom window) with the full beam hardly gave the HIDS time to heat up, it looked a bit like lightning.

I wonder if this is BAD for the HIDS... Anyone?

Well they are meant to be more robust and last for years but i think your correct there, don't know what damage it might cause. They're also costly to replace as other people have noted so i think i'll go easy on the flashing

thiswilldo · 29th November 2006, 22:29

If headlights could not take the quick flash...why would they allow it to be designed and built it into the car?

Ancient Nerd · 30th November 2006, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiswilldo

If headlights could not take the quick flash...why would they allow it to be designed and built it into the car?

The same way as some of the other features built into the car (or not - in the case of the missing spare wheel)

Bungle · 30th November 2006, 19:17

What has the spare wheel got to do with this thread?

From my very limited knowledge of HID lamps, I believe they require a large current to start, then run on lower power once on. Similar to flourescent tubes.
If there was any chance of damage from short bursts, the HID lights would not be connected to the 'flashing' circuit, so I would not worry.

On a personal note, I would not make a habbit of flashing, it is far more dangerous and misleading than people think.

Ancient Nerd · 30th November 2006, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

What has the spare wheel got to do with this thread?

The suggestion was made that if flashing HID's was harmful, why would they allow it to be designed and built it into the car? The point I am making is that this isn't necessarily so. The missing spare wheel is one such flaw, along with the non-working HFT.

FWIW, I suspect that regular flashing will shorten the expected life of the HID. As with a fluorescent tube, they are subject to the most stress at switch on. Connecting the HIDs to a flasher switch looks like a design flaw to me.

czechplastik · 1st December 2006, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancient Nerd

The suggestion was made that if flashing HID's was harmful, why would they allow it to be designed and built it into the car? The point I am making is that this isn't necessarily so. The missing spare wheel is one such flaw, along with the non-working HFT.

FWIW, I suspect that regular flashing will shorten the expected life of the HID. As with a fluorescent tube, they are subject to the most stress at switch on. Connecting the HIDs to a flasher switch looks like a design flaw to me.

Thank-you

The Doctor · 1st December 2006, 12:58

On other cars with Xenons, is the flash mainbeam only? Perhaps if you need to flash someone, you should just switch the side lights on and off?

29th November 2006, 19:18	#1 (permalink)
CIVHEAD Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 1st September 2006 Location: Thatcham Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dip & Main Beam I noticed the other day, if you flash someone during the daytime both dip & main beam come on. Cant do the hid bulbs anygood

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Dip & Main Beam
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bulbs Yellow main beam, white HID's	LoonyJohn	Lights	11	5th September 2007 12:40
HID HID Light Beam	kamshaft	Lights	2	25th August 2007 21:33
Main Page	Pottsy	Wiki Article Discussion	1	2nd May 2007 23:05
Servicing main dealer service	matt7710	Buying, Dealers and Servicing	6	21st March 2007 17:25
Bulbs Main Beam Bulbs	richierich	Lights	12	4th July 2006 08:15


This thread is about: Dip & Main Beam, it's in Lights at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I noticed the other day, if you flash someone during the daytime both dip & main beam come on. Cant do the hid bulbs anygood...

29th November 2006, 19:45	#2 (permalink)
JPDirect Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 1st October 2006 Location: London Posts: 172 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Civhead, I noticed that too! A quick flash (whilst looking at the front of the car through the reflection of the showroom window) with the full beam hardly gave the HIDS time to heat up, it looked a bit like lightning. I wonder if this is BAD for the HIDS... Anyone?

29th November 2006, 22:29	#4 (permalink)
thiswilldo Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Plymouth. UK. Posts: 113 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If headlights could not take the quick flash...why would they allow it to be designed and built it into the car?

30th November 2006, 19:17	#6 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What has the spare wheel got to do with this thread? From my very limited knowledge of HID lamps, I believe they require a large current to start, then run on lower power once on. Similar to flourescent tubes. If there was any chance of damage from short bursts, the HID lights would not be connected to the 'flashing' circuit, so I would not worry. On a personal note, I would not make a habbit of flashing, it is far more dangerous and misleading than people think.

1st December 2006, 12:58	#9 (permalink)
The Doctor Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 31st August 2006 Location: Southampton Posts: 102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	On other cars with Xenons, is the flash mainbeam only? Perhaps if you need to flash someone, you should just switch the side lights on and off?