Member Since: 14 Aug 2014
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 35
xenon HID lifespan - are your xenons dim ?
Disco 4 will be 9 years old this year, and my dipped beam has been noticeably dim lately. I have read that HIDs do lose effectiveness over the years, but thought this was more of a marketing ploy, however I decided to replace them to see what difference it made. Bit of a gamble at £55 a pop but bought some Osram Night Breaker Unlimited.
Upon comparing the old & new bulbs (both OSRAM), the centre of the old bulb seems to have swelled to fill the glass, possibly this is evidence of the deterioration, as the Night Breaker only has a small amount of 'stuff'.
Have done just one side at a time to see what difference it makes tonight. Also replaced cornering light - H8 - as it had blown, together with new H7 GE Megalight 130 for main beam as recommended by Autoexpress.
See pics of old & new Xenons;
#1 old, #2 new in foreground, #3 Osram box
29th Jan 2018 3:22 pm
Pigscovery
Member Since: 14 Aug 2014
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 35
Tested new bulbs tonight, very obvious benefit noticeable. How much of this was down to the higher spec bulb and how much down to the aged HID I dont know, but the Xenon beam was not only brighter but a tighter angle projected (evident as the HID projector beams move with steering).
Took some more detailed pic of the HIDs old & new to show the contents of the glass bulb. I suspect the deposits in the old one were affecting both brightness and beam pattern.
Hence I fully concur with HID 'ageing' over time. I've had the car 2009 D4 for four years and these could have been on since new.
OLD;
New;
you can see gap between electrodes on the new one, but unable to see electrodes on the Old .
Also, the GE H7 main beam looks whiter and brighter. Will fit the nearside tomorrow and be happy to see where I'm going again.
Replaced my first set of Xenon's last week with the Osram Night Breakers after one of them started to go pink. Apparently this is a sign that they are nearing the end of their lifespan. Can certainly see an improvement, much brighter.
However, I'm currently on my third set of cornering lights (H8's). I seem to get no more than 18 month's out of these before they pack in. Anyone got a recommendation on which brand/make to use here for maximum lifespan?
30th Jan 2018 7:40 am
Jubbly
Member Since: 20 Nov 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 401
I've put led's in my cornering lights.Jaguar I-Pace HSE imminent.
Gone HSE with Flappy Paddles. IID BT tool. RLD Spare Protector, Altox GPS.
30th Jan 2018 3:28 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
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