Do-it-yourself xenon installation on a car

Types of lighting fixtures for cars

Cars use 3 types of optics: halogen lamps, LED lights and xenon. Halogen ones work for 500-1000 hours, get very hot and produce a weak luminous flux compared to alternative options. LEDs and xenon are bright and reliable options. LEDs are more expensive, but they provide an intense luminous flux, operate for 30,000-40,000 hours, heat up less, and do not lead to excessive fuel consumption. Xenon is not cheap, operates for 3000-4000 hours, also does not overheat and provides a uniform light fill.

Advantages of xenon

Xenon was the first halogen alternative to hit the market, followed by LEDs in the auto industry. At the initial stage, they did not compete with xenon in terms of glow intensity and other parameters, but thanks to scientific developments, LED optics received characteristics similar to xenon, at a relatively affordable price. LED headlights have taken the lead and become the leader in road use. Despite this, some motorists remain faithful to xenon and bi-xenon headlights.

• Xenon produces a bright light output of up to 6000 lumens;
• the level of illumination almost coincides with sunlight, the sun gives a white-blue glow, so visibility with xenon is close to daylight;
• Xenon headlights are used as a tuning element; such car lights are chosen because they cost and look expensive even on an inexpensive car.

Disadvantages of xenon

Despite the advantages, there are disadvantages due to which car owners often choose LED headlights.

1. Not all xenon is permitted by law. The traffic regulations do not directly prohibit such optics, and LED headlights may be illegal if they blind oncoming traffic. Only standard factory xenon is officially allowed. Legislation allows the use of white, yellow and orange, so the blue glow of xenon raises questions among inspectors.
2. Complicated installation. The car's standard system cannot withstand the voltage required to ignite and keep the lamp glowing. For this reason, additional ignition units are installed; they are bulky and do not fit into the headlight; the part has to be placed outside.
3. Increased fuel consumption. Let’s make a reservation right away that we are talking about an increase of 0.1 liters per 100 km, but this is worth taking into account.
4. High price of equipment. Even a homemade version will not be cheap, not to mention high-quality factory headlights . The color of xenon whitens over time, so if one lamp fails, you will have to change both, otherwise the light will differ.
5. Mandatory presence of automatic headlight range adjustment.

How to choose a good xenon kit?

The selection of a suitable xenon lighting source for a car should be based on two factors: the popularity and reliability of the manufacturer and the required brightness of the lamps.

What should a xenon kit consist of?

The complete set of gas-discharge bulbs for headlights or fog lights includes:

• lighting sources designed for a certain power and with specific markings;
• ignition device;
• a set of wires and elements for connecting and fixing lamps.

The ignition unit is a module designed to supply a certain amount of voltage required for activation to light sources. More expensive units have a more complex design, which allows them to control a larger number of processes. If the device is of high quality, it will be able to ensure long-term and uninterrupted operation of the light elements. This is due to the fact that when igniting the lamps, the basic technical parameters are observed within the required range.

Xenon marking

The marking of gas-discharge devices can be 5000K, 6000K, etc. This parameter determines the color temperature, that is, the brightness and shade of the light bulb. If the device marking is 4300K, then the light will be whiter and have a yellowish tint. The use of such sources is relevant in PTF and head optics. They are more effective when driving on wet roads.

Devices rated at 5000K have a white emission color. Their power is higher, and the light itself is more pleasant to perceive by the human eye. 6000K bulbs have a blue tint and, as a result of their low light output, are inferior in power to previous options. However, this type of device is more popular among our compatriots. As standard, when producing cars, companies install xenon lamps rated at 4200-5000K.

The AvtoGSM channel in the video unpacked and made a brief overview of the xenon equipment from the manufacturer Show-Mi.

Which xenon is better?

It is not a fact that an expensive set of gas-discharge light bulbs will function efficiently and effectively. When purchasing an ignition unit, it is also recommended to pay attention to the cost.

It is necessary to choose a device that matches the technical parameters of the machine. For example, if the car is not equipped with a module for monitoring the voltage of light bulbs, then it makes no sense to buy xenon with a “fake”. This will not affect the quality of his work in any way.

It is not advisable to purchase thin ignition units, called “slim”, if there is a lot of space in the engine compartment for installing a standard device. The cost of such “devices” is higher. And if the block is cheap, then, as a rule, it is made of low-quality materials, and the assembly also leaves much to be desired.

The most popular manufacturers of xenon lamps

Manufacturers of gas-discharge lighting sources that have positively proven themselves among consumers:

The Test Lab channel talked about the nuances that will allow you to distinguish the original Osram xenon from a fake.

Installation options

The main condition is that the low and high beam headlights allow you to install xenon lamps or replace standard headlights with bi-xenon ones , for example. Installing xenon in daytime running lights is impossible, because they cannot be made brighter than low beam lights. There are administrative fines for installing gas-discharge lamps in fog lights; read about this in the article: “Is it possible to install xenon in fog lights?”

Module installation

If you want the installation of xenon on a VAZ 2110 to be carried out within the law, buy a new approved module.

The modules that are installed from the factory on German BMW E60 cars have proven themselves well. You understand what level of quality we are talking about.

Kirzhach in analysis

Just be sure to take into account the fact that the “Bavarian” Hella Lens G2 . This is a second generation module with wider lenses. The first generation is not suitable for us.

Of course, the cars are structurally different, so the installation will have to be slightly adjusted.

To get started, purchase the necessary materials. Just two pieces:

• Ignitor;
• Ignition unit;
• Hella lenses;
• Bi-xenon lights.

If you take used lenses rather than new ones, purchasing the entire set will cost you about 3.5 thousand rubles. Since you will install them yourself, there should be no additional financial costs.

The revision process looks like this.

1. Measure the size of the seat where the standard Kirzhach module is mounted. Now the Hella module will be located there. The place should be prepared in advance.
2. The standard wiring is connected to the wiring from the bi-xenon optics. There are no problems here, since everything matches perfectly.
3. Now the new bi-xenon module is put in place.
4. You can fix the ignition unit in any way convenient for you, since there is more than enough space for installation in the VAZ 2110.

New rules

From January 25, 2020, the traffic police post can check which lamps are installed in the headlights of a car. If a discrepancy is detected, the inspector draws up a protocol on the violation and sends data to identify the driver and determine the punishment. However, the current legislation does not provide for a fine; the violator faces deprivation of rights for 6-12 months. The driver will have to take the test again to get his driver's license back.

If a car owner decides to install xenon lamps in conventional headlights that do not provide the design features necessary for their operation, from the point of view of the law, this is considered an illegal modification to the design of the car, and such a violation may result in the car’s registration being revoked. Another type of sanctions is confiscation of xenon headlights. But to install legal xenon even in a car where it is not provided.

What kind of service is this?

The use of xenon lamps is not just a whim and following fashion, but also a very useful thing that greatly simplifies the life of the driver. Car owners spend a lot of time behind the wheel, including at night. Installing xenon headlights allows you to achieve brighter light, very similar to daylight, which makes it possible to reduce eye strain.
They also help to better see road signs and navigate in poor visibility, which provides additional safety for drivers and pedestrians. The advantages of xenon lamps over halogen lamps do not end there: the former last up to 5 times longer than the latter. In addition, due to the lower operating temperature, the load on the headlight glass is reduced, which reduces the likelihood of damage. This allows you to visit the service center less often, saving time and money.

If previously the installation of xenon lenses in headlights was available only to wealthy people, now almost every motorist can provide this useful thing. Replacing an interior lighting lamp is also a fairly common service that our technician can perform.

Features of installing xenon lamps

The main difference between an HID lamp and a regular lamp is that instead of a spiral, two electrodes are installed in it, between which an electric arc occurs. The glow is promoted by xenon pumped under high pressure, to which impurities of metal salts are added.

Before equipping your car with such lamps, you need to fulfill a number of conditions:

• Install the light beam guide in advance. It is necessary to ensure that the light is too bright for other road users.
• Install a lens or a special reflector.
• Equip your car with a headlight cleaner, because... Dirty glass may cause the lamp to not work properly.

There are several options for installing xenon headlights. The easiest way is to install xenon lenses in standard headlights with separate high and low beams. As a result, you need to mount four lamps and blocks. This option is advantageous in that in this case there is no need to replace optics, allowing you to save money on upgrades.

You can also install a special focusing lens on the optics, which collects the light from the lamp into one beam. For SUVs, a good option would be to install xenon headlights as additional ones (for example, on the roof).

Before starting the procedure, be sure to check the on-board electronics. The fact is that the computer can recognize the new HID lamp as a faulty halogen that has switched to a consumption of 35 W, although it should “eat” at least 55 W. This can lead to a number of problems that significantly reduce the usefulness of xenon headlights and shorten their service life. Many car enthusiasts ask the question: “is it possible to install LED lamps in headlights”? In some cases, the traffic police may classify modification of lights as an offense. Therefore, before installing LED headlights, you should consult with specialists.

Advantages and disadvantages of xenon lamps

Before purchasing HID lamps, we suggest you familiarize yourself with their advantages:

• Long service life, thanks to which such lamps last 7-10 times longer.
• Stronger light and its similarity to daylight, which reduces eye strain.
• No thread. This makes it possible for xenon lamps not to be afraid of potholes on the road.
• Low heat.

At the same time, xenon headlights also have their disadvantages:

• Complexity of additional equipment.
• High price.
• Need for constant adjustment.

Step-by-step instructions: how to make xenon legal

1. Buy original certified equipment for installing xenon: a set of lenses , headlights, auto corrector and washer. Please note that it must pass technical inspection; prepare copies of certificates and other documentary evidence of the authenticity of automotive optics.
2. Obtain a positive opinion from an expert in a testing laboratory for the planned changes, indicating that installation is possible and the headlights are working properly. With this conclusion, contact the traffic police, where the changes will be re-checked and another conclusion will be issued.
3. Contact a certified service station that is ready to confirm its competence to carry out the work. You can also contact a private workshop or ask for help from a familiar automotive electrician, but then you will have to additionally fill out a paper called: “Application-declaration on the volume and quality of work performed.” This paper will determine whether such work will be accepted or not; for acceptance, you will need to indicate the details and nuances of the work.
4. Pass inspection. As part of this procedure, specialists will check how the equipment works and, if necessary, adjust the auto-corrector. After the technical inspection, you will receive a diagnostic card, which will indicate the presence of xenon automotive optics.
5. With the package of documents, you need to visit the testing laboratory again, where they will check the changes made and issue another conclusion.
6. Go through an inspection at the traffic police and receive a vehicle registration certificate and a title with a note about the installation of xenon.

The procedure is not easy; few car owners decide to go through it and complete the process. It can be easier to change a car to a model with standard xenon headlights than to try to install legal xenon on a VAZ. But in any case, this is a more adequate approach than installing home-made xenon, risking safety and creating emergency situations on the road.

Installing xenon car lights on cars where they are not provided creates a lot of problems for the owner. If the time and financial costs of legalization are commensurate and adequate, it is worth taking care of the paperwork and getting a mark on the PTS and registration certificate. If you are not ready to deal with this process, take a look at alternative options, for example, LED headlights: bright, impact-resistant, last a long time, do not heat up, and do not lead to excessive fuel consumption. Regardless of the chosen option, the main thing is high-quality factory optics. We at Wesem-Light work with large factories and know that the performance characteristics of car lights depend on the manufacturer, packaging and proper transportation. Our catalog includes LED, gas-discharge lamps and bi-xenon headlights. The product is certified and provided with a double guarantee: from the manufacturer and the store, please contact us.

Installing xenon on a car

Installing xenon lighting on a car requires preliminary preparation, both legal and theoretical in the field of technology.

After all, it will not be possible to simply install xenon light on a car; to do this, it is necessary to coordinate all actions with employees of expert organizations and the traffic police, and this in itself will become a rather complicated procedure.

It should be noted that during the conversion process it is necessary to use only certified headlights with supporting documents, because a considerable number of xenon manufacturers operate clandestinely or cannot confirm the quality of their products.

Car installation rules

To ensure that the installation of xenon on a car does not end with the drawing up of a protocol by a traffic police officer, it is necessary to take into account some rules.

So, you should choose xenon only if it comes with all the quality certificates from the manufacturer; they will help to legalize the equipment.

You should not start work before official permission is received, because in the event of a ban, you will need to return everything back, which will require a lot of effort, and in this case you should ask in advance whether it is possible to convert a particular car.

If a person is not sure that he can make xenon with his own hands, it is better for him to turn to specialists, but they should also be asked if they have done such conversions before and ask them to fill out a declaration application, which will provide a list of the work being done.

If xenon lamps just need to be changed, for example, if one of them is burned out, then you will need to purchase two identical lamps and replace both, since their synchronous operation may not be complete if you leave one old one and purchase a new lamp.

Features in choosing a kit

When selecting a xenon kit, it is important to determine which country it came from, but the same applies to the price.

The most expensive, but high-quality optics will be Japanese; products from companies from this country are in great demand, last a long time, and there are usually no problems with certificates.

Slightly less high quality is observed from European and other manufacturers, who are sold with quite affordable price tags.

But the cheapest, and therefore favorite optics among Russians, are Korean and Chinese.

It is not of low quality, since the technological process itself does not allow this to happen, but its service life is shorter than that of high-quality products.

How much will it cost (price)

Before turning to specialists for xenon installation, it would not hurt to first familiarize yourself with at least the cost of installing xenon and replacing headlights, if required.

Are you deprived of rights for xenon, see the article: deprivation of rights for xenon. What is the difference between xenon and bi-xenon, read here.

The design of the headlight plays a big role, because in different models you need to remove the bumper for this, or you can do without it, you can also apply for replacement parts, and the cost of the final work depends on their complexity, as well as the procedure.