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[kevinp58]

And as stated, they degrade based on the number of strikes so the hour figure is a very poor method for determining life.

When the HID's fire they strike an internal arc to vapourise the metallic salts in them, its this that has by far the largest impact on life. If you strike them whilst they are still hot (e.g. off and then on again), the wear is even higher (as the metallic salts have not returned to the crystaline state).

Once fired there is close to zero 'wear'

So these hour figures are horse shit and clearly have a major unstated assumption in them concerning the number of on/off cycles per hour.

And the above also explains why you dont get them as seperate units on high beam applications (those with them tend to use a shutter system to alter the light output of the single bulb)

I thought that was the case. However what happens when you flash the lights, ie to let a driver out etc. Its the HIDs that flash repetitively. By the standard of the morons around here that flash a million times to let you out, these HIDs should have a very short life span?

I thought it was the main beam that flashed  if so then it will be the Halogen bulbs. 

I think D is talking about Bi Xenons, not whats fitted to Omegas.

Oh ok 

[Marks DTM Calib]

And as stated, they degrade based on the number of strikes so the hour figure is a very poor method for determining life.

When the HID's fire they strike an internal arc to vapourise the metallic salts in them, its this that has by far the largest impact on life. If you strike them whilst they are still hot (e.g. off and then on again), the wear is even higher (as the metallic salts have not returned to the crystaline state).

Once fired there is close to zero 'wear'

So these hour figures are horse shit and clearly have a major unstated assumption in them concerning the number of on/off cycles per hour.

And the above also explains why you dont get them as seperate units on high beam applications (those with them tend to use a shutter system to alter the light output of the single bulb)

I thought that was the case. However what happens when you flash the lights, ie to let a driver out etc. Its the HIDs that flash repetitively. By the standard of the morons around here that flash a million times to let you out, these HIDs should have a very short life span?

Simple, you shorten the life of the lamps, repeated flashing in short succession is even worse.

Consider the Omega ones where its common to see the lamps last 12+ years (there are probably some with 15 years life on them) with no issues as they are turned on once, left on and used for longer periods. If you ahve a Bi-xenon setup and flash people, you may get say 4-5 years of life due to the much increased number of starts.

[AndyStobbs]

I thought the bi-xenon systems move the lamp physically. I've fitted a few of the conversion kits on H4 vehicles. The lamp doesn't actually go out for flashing, or high beam. There is a physical adjustment of the lamp within the reflector unit, which changes the beam pattern.

[Marks DTM Calib]

They do move as you say but, obviously during the day there not lit, but if you were to flash somebody then that would strike the lamp and cause the route cause 'wear'.....flashing repeatedly would be even worse

[AndyStobbs]

They do move as you say but, obviously during the day there not lit, but if you were to flash somebody then that would strike the lamp and cause the route cause 'wear'.....flashing repeatedly would be even worse

Good point, well made. Hadn't thought of that.