Mysticality's Light Thread!!

[wfdTamar]

Ok, here's an install of the Morimoto HID set from theretrofitsource.com currently US$150 plus shipping (US Post US$27.69 with option for insurance). That's currently A$242 total. So it is quite a lot more expensive than your average eBay HID kit. So here's hoping it's good and lasts ok.


LEGAL NOTE: - of course, it is illegal to retrofit HID in a vehicle used on Australian roads if you don't also put in headlight washers (squirters) and levelling apparatus (prohibitively expensive options). Needless to say, this is an academic exercise, and not actually used on the road.


H7: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc



You can choose 35 or 50 watt ballasts for the same price. The 50 watt gives 20% more light, but doesn't last as long ('rated' at 3 years vs. 5 years - whatever 'rated' means. I'm not sure if that's a warranty, or expected lifetime).



Interestingly these Morimoto kits have separate igniters (below), whereas any other kit I've seen it's part of the ballast. It doesn't make the ballasts particularly small either, so hopefully that means longevity and quality.



Good video going over the parts here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd8jJwahsZc

Pick from 4500K, 5500K or 6500K bulb options. Lower number is not so brilliant white coloured, but is brightest. Higher number is whiter, but not as much light (not a huge difference though). I got 4500K and found them to be like original equipment Xenon (HID) factory equipped cars.

For a Skoda (or any VW family car) you want the Canbus harness option (not HD Relay) and they reckon you don't need the US$15 anti-flicker capacitor link (in fact, shouldn't use it with the CanBus harness). The CanBUS harness has a length with connector (shown on the right) you won't use with our cars.



The parking globes look very yellow once this kit is in, so you might want to consider LED bulbs for them (which might need load resistors to work on our cars). Something like these (below) although I'd prefer some straight out aimed ones, rather than side shooters like those. The Octavia uses W5W parking bulbs.

T10 XB LED Headlight marker turn signal interior COB bulbs blinkers T10 194

Morimoto HD Load Resistors - Wire Harnesses - Components