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[albitz]

The headlights on my car are now so dim that I am tempted to stick a couple of bicycle lights on the bonnet to supplement them.
I have been in discussion with another member for the last few days regarding buying a pair of projectors he is selling.He isnt completely sure if they are normal projectors or HID,s and i wouldnt know either.
So,what are the physical differences which distinguish one from the other ? tia.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

[Entwood]

In very simple terms ..

The HID units have a large silver box attached to them .. and warnings about the extra high voltages generated by that box .. which is called a ballast unit. The "bulbs" are basically a form of discharge light that requires a high voltage to "strike" ... thats why they are called High Intensity Discharge  (HID).


"Normal" profjectors have the same "lense" but a standard bulb and no ballst pack .. so don't need the voltage warnings.

Now the purists will have more in depth answers .. but thats my simple way ..

[amba]

Projecter headlights are far superior to the older style with ribbed lenses,but HID,s are the prefered choice.
HID,S have a ballast unit fitted to ignite the bulb where standard units are powered by a halogen bulb from the 12volt.In appearance they are similar from the front,but as said the HID,s have a ballast fitted to the back of the lamp body and require additional wiring at the back.

[stuart30]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

[Entwood]

I think the OP wants to be able to tell the difference between the light units OUT of the car ..

[Turk]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

My '94 Elite did too, as does my '00 CD  

[albitz]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

yea, mine has the wheel but a pair of candles rather than projectors,I am just trying to get advice for the bloke with the lights so that he can have a look and decide from what he can see if the lights he is selling are projectors or HID.I dont want to buy HID,s because I dont have washers or self levelling.

[stuart30]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

yea, mine has the wheel but a pair of candles rather than projectors,I am just trying to get advice for the bloke with the lights so that he can have a look and decide from what he can see if the kights he is selling are projectors or HID.I dont want to buy HID,s becuase I dont have washers or self levelling.

Dont take this the wrong way mate....maybe its best too buy from someone who knows the difference.

You dont want too end up buying a set of fog lights do ya...

[Darth Loo-knee]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

yea, mine has the wheel but a pair of candles rather than projectors,I am just trying to get advice for the bloke with the lights so that he can have a look and decide from what he can see if the kights he is selling are projectors or HID.I dont want to buy HID,s becuase I dont have washers or self levelling.

Dont take this the wrong way mate....maybe its best too buy from someone who knows the difference.

You dont want too end up buying a set of fog lights do ya...

PMSL  

[stuart30]

Albs if you have on the dash under the lights a wheel that alters the lights you will have projectors

Hope that makes sense mate

Actually im fairly sure even the bog standard early lights had the height adjuster wheel...im sure my old Elite did.

yea, mine has the wheel but a pair of candles rather than projectors,I am just trying to get advice for the bloke with the lights so that he can have a look and decide from what he can see if the kights he is selling are projectors or HID.I dont want to buy HID,s becuase I dont have washers or self levelling.

Dont take this the wrong way mate....maybe its best too buy from someone who knows the difference.

You dont want too end up buying a set of fog lights do ya...

PMSL  

Mind you im no better.....didnt even notice i had non matching wheels till some one pointed it out.....

[feeutfo]

The headlights on my car are now so dim that I am tempted to stick a couple of bicycle lights on the bonnet to supplement them.
I have been in discussion with another member for the last few days regarding buying a pair of projectors he is selling.He isnt completely sure if they are normal projectors or HID,s and i wouldnt know either.
So,what are the physical differences which distinguish one from the other ? tia.

So, if i understand it correctly? You want to upgrade from normal bog stock Halogen
to projectors, but are worried you may be buying Hid projectors?
 I take it all the hid gubins is not present or it would be fairly obvious with the all the yellow and black warning triangle stickers on the hid housing... So if you had just the two units(headlight) side by side whats the difference? Short answer is dont know... But had assumed the basic unit is the same, just add the relevent hid parts, with the exception of the level motor... Which possibly may not be the same as the 4 position level of the normal projector.
So probably more Qs than As...

[albitz]

So,are there any physical differences apart from the ballast pack on the rear of the lamps  :question :question

[feeutfo]

ffs i really must type faster, only 4 replys when i started. I dont think so but cant be certain, unless you get def confirmation from a big gun on here, i would suggest a call to the parts dept in the  a.m. Sorry cant give a def answer re the two units side by side.

[ste_bla]

Surely pull the bulb out and see which sort it is?