skiahh

Anyone know what the color temp for the bi-xenon headlights are?

Dennis C

4,300 K

wrinkledpants

What Dennis said.

skiahh

Thanks, guys. That's what I'd gleaned from general reading, too.

I'm getting ready to order a set of bi-xenon lights for my pickup and like the Cayenne's brightness and color, so figured I'd ask.

wrinkledpants

FYI - the color you see coming out of the projector is a function of the light optics in the projector more than it is a function of the color temp. All US auto makers spec 4300k for their HID lights because it's the color temp that puts out the most lumens (measurable light). The blueness is a function of the headlight design.

CDMC

Also keep in mind that HID bulbs will colorshift and lose output over time. An HID lamp that starts at 4300k will slowly shift to 5000+k over its life. There are newer bulbs that do not do this, such as the Phillips 85122+. There are also 5,000k lamps that will hold the same color temperature for their life.

The short is that it is likely that your bulbs started at 4100-4300k but are now in the 5000k range. With the new bulbs that don't color shift, it appears that some manufactures are using those as their bulbs. Either will work well, with the 4300k being slightly brighter and the 5000k slightly whiter. Any higher on the color temp and you will start seeing them shift towards blue.

Before you order bi-xenon lights for your truck, I would recommend you spend some time over at HID Planet. I don't know what truck you have, or what conversion you are planning on using, but there are a lot of poor conversions. Do a bit of research there about how to a do a proper retrofit, using proper bi-xenon projectors. Also, check the retrofit source to see if they sell a kit for your truck. While it will not the cheapest, they use quality components so you have a proper HID setup that will provide the best lighting for you and not blind others.

Andy E.

+1. Replaced mine this summer with OEM units and they were much more yellow at first, as now they've become much whiter in color.

skiahh

I have a 2003 Ram (diesel). The OEM housings are hazed over... again. They've never put out much light, so I want to replace them with a quality HID set.

I'm planning on ordering a set from the Retro shop which prompted my question. When ordering a full set, you can specify the projectors, bulb and temperature. I'm sticking with the basic setup, but going with 50W. The color option was the one thing I couldn't get enough of an answer from Google.

bigbuzuki

Colour temp of 4300k will give you daylight spectrum light.

It is the most efficient colour for illuminating the road.

JAGMAN1

Can anyone suggest a good retailor for purchasing standard run of the mill, name brand, D1S bulbs in the 4300K range?

I'm finding either Chinese knockoffs or 5000K bulbs.

wrinkledpants

ECS sells 4300K bulbs. The Retrofit Source sells the 5000K genuine osram bulbs. It's what I currently have, but will be going back to 4300K bulbs. Just too blue for me.

CDMC

I purchased a set from this guy about two years ago for my E60 530i and confirmed they were authentic. His father (who promotes his site a bit) is also a respected member on Candlepower Forums, a bunch of flashlight nuts.

http://www.hidbulbsrus.com/products/...-9285-141-294/

CDMC

Be very careful doing 50 watt ballasts. Most projectors cannot handle the additional heat. My two cents, get quality projectors (like Hella Evox, RX350, or Acural TL), OEM ballasts, and a quality OEM bulbs like the Phillips 85122+. An efficient projector is the most important for getting the light out of the front and will give you far more output than a poor projector and a 50 watt ballast.

Doing the above will run you $450, plus the time and/or cost of retrofitting them into your current housings, but will give you a top, factory quality set of lights that turn on, don't flicker, let you see well, and don't blind others.

skiahh

My current housings are done. I've de-hazed them once and they're almost opaque again. Starting over.

https://shop.retroshop.us/ProductDet...de=02-05.RETRO

CDMC

Clearcoat them.