Bi-Xenons are so frickin cool

[gizzywizzy]

I've been looking at my xenons and have realised that the lights nearest the bonnet  don't seem to come on at all, tried them at full beam, dipped and with the fogs - nothing. 

So guys those with xenons how do I get these to light up?

[mac7]

I am lead to understand that they are just indicators.

[gizzywizzy]

Not meaning to be dense but indicating what?

[mac7]

Not meaning to be dense but indicating what?

Turing left and right - you know, the orangy bits? 

[keelaw]

The one bulb provides dip and main beam. Dependent on bulb type you are looking at £50 - £100 for a replacement.

I had some xenons on my accord type r and as it was outside warranty i had to pay myself.  they were 90 quid... per bulb!  also needed the garage to fit them since they are very high voltage - this they did for free thankfully!

[keelaw]

Not meaning to be dense but indicating what?

Turing left and right - you know, the orangy bits? 

 

[countrytrucker]

Not meaning to be dense but indicating what?

Turing left and right - you know, the orangy bits? 

Possibly the best post ever!

[Rhyso]

I had some xenons on my accord type r and as it was outside warranty i had to pay myself.  they were 90 quid... per bulb!  also needed the garage to fit them since they are very high voltage - this they did for free thankfully!

have to ask what is high voltage about xenon bulbs?    car systems run a 12V electrical system - its not exactly 11kV 

[mac7]

have to ask what is high voltage about xenon bulbs?    car systems run a 12V electrical system - its not exactly 11kV 

To maintain the arc in HID headlamps you need a higher voltage than 12V, so essentially a step-up transformer is used to raise the potential difference across the bulb to 85V or thereabouts. But to strike the arc the ballasts do generate a peak of around 10-12kV.

[Rhyso]

have to ask what is high voltage about xenon bulbs?    car systems run a 12V electrical system - its not exactly 11kV 

To maintain the arc in HID headlamps you need a higher voltage than 12V, so essentially a step-up transformer is used to raise the potential difference across the bulb to 85V or thereabouts. But to strike the arc the ballasts do generate a peak of around 10-12kV.

10-12kV? in a car??  11kV is something I'd expect to see running water pumping stations etc, not some bulbs in a car 

Fair enough if they do - just seems a little extreme!

EDIT - just found an article all about it!! CRIKEY!! lol 

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Do-HID-Xenon-Bulbs-Work-and-Are-They-Road-Legal?&id=2233501