FAQ

How much brighter are HID headlights?
An HID Light can be as much as 3x – 6x times brighter than a standard halogen bulb.

How long will my HIDs last?
HID bulbs are rated to last on average 6000-8000 hours.  A quality HID bulb and ballast will last for about 4-6 years before needing replacement.  In contrast, a halogen bulb is rated for 1600-3000 hours and need to be replaced after about 2-3 years of usage.

Why AC Ballasts (Alternating Current)?
AC Ballasts are used on all OEM Factory equipped HID systems (i.e. Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Lexus etc)  Alternating Current extends the life of an HID bulb by almost two times that of a DC (Direct Current) kit.  When an HID system ignites the bulb, an electric sparc ignites across two metal electrodes.  With AC(alternating current) ballasts, electricity is sent to those electrodes every other cycle at a very high frequency which reduces overall usage and reduces the overall temperature of the system.  A Direct Current Ballast would send a constant flow of electricity to the electrodes which has an higher running temperature and causes the metal contact points to age faster over time.  AC ballasts are more expensive to manufacture than DC ballasts and is reflected in our pricing.  Be assured that you are paying for a quality product with the durability and longevity of the HID kit in mind.

Why 35W HID Systems?  
OEM factory equipped HID systems i.e. Mercedes Benz, Audi, Lexus, BMW etc all use 35W HID systems because of their reliability and long life span.  Higher wattage aftermarket HID systems i.e. 55W, 100W systems are not recommended as they increase the operating temperature of the HID system, affect bulb color temperature, and in general have a shorter lifespan.  Higher wattage kits are not that much brighter than 35W systems.  a 4300K 35W HID system, is the same brightness of a 6000K 55W HID system.  This is because the increased wattage of the 55W systemoperates the 6000K bulb at a higher temperature, changing the color of the bulb and essentially, creating a whiter color more similar to that of a 4300K bulb.

What is the difference between Standard and Premium products?
XenonSupply sells two types of HID kits, Standard and Premium.  Our Standard product line features Intellight Brand HID Ballasts and Bulbs.  Intellight is a US based distributor of HID Conversion Kits and LED products sold by XenonSupply.  Intellight brand ballasts use the latest 7th generation ballast technology that is compatible with virtually all vehicles on the market today.  Intellight brand bulbs are a high quality, ceramic based HID conversion bulb with exceptional heat tolerance as well as color accuracy.

XenonSupply Premium HID Kits use CANBus equipped HID ballasts and Premium Philips HID bulbs.  The ballasts use both CANBus decoders as well as Anti-Flicker Capacitors built into the unit itself to manage more complex electrical signals, as well as prevent flickering from more sensitive, computer controlled electrical systems.  Most Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Dodge, etc perform better with a Premium HID Kit as well as all vehicle year models after 2003.  Newer year model vehicles are designed with more sensitive computer systems to keep an eye on various components of the vehicle and complex eletrical systems due to all of the add-on "standard" features that were not standard a decade ago such as GPS, XM Radio, backup cameras, powered/heated seats, etc.  It is highly recommended to upgrade to Premium Ballasts for all newer year models if purchasing the standard kit.  Our Philips bulb are Genuine Philips Brand HID conversion bulbs with excellent color accuracy, light cut-off, and reliability.  Paired together, the Premium Kit is our best kit and guranteed to work on virtually all vehicles without issue.

I have a Low Beam DRL equipped vehicle, will there be problems?
If your vehicle uses a Daytime Running Light (DRL) system on the low beam of your vehicle, installing a normal HID kit will cause the HID kit to flicker during the day when the DRL system is activated.  This is a common problem with Canadian Spec vehicles due to Canadian DRL laws, as well as some US manufactured vehicles (i.e. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, older generation Toyota Corollas, etc).  To overcome this issue, XenonSupply offers special packages or you can purchase separately the accessory wiring harnesses and anti-flicker capacitor to bypass the DRL module and prevent flickering.  These additional accessories and steps allow the HID system to operate as the DRL and comply with state/country motor vehicle regulations.

What's the difference between D2S, D2R, and D2C?
D2 and D1 refers to the bulb base type. S stands for Shielded which is used on projector headlights.  R stands for Reflector and requires a ceramic strip or metal shield to control light output.  C refers to Color and generally means anything above 5000K temperature.  The D2C bulb is aftermarket and will fit any D2S and D2R housing.  D3S and D4S are Non-Mercury filled bulbs and are currently limited to a few specialty vehicles and some Toyota/Lexus models.

What is Cycling?
Cycling is the effect of an old, or inefficient ballast and or bulb.  A typical HID bulb requires 35 watts to operate effectively.  Low quality manufacturing/aging of HID ballasts/bulbs can create inefficiencies that require more than 35 watts to operate.  As the ballast struggles to generate more output, it overheats and turns the lights off.  After a few minutes, the ballast cools to a point where it can generate the additional power needed to operate and turn the lights back on.  This on/off affect is referred to as Cycling.  Poor quality ballasts can also lend to this effect as inconsistent power output degrades the gases and materials inside the bulb; this results in additional inefficiencies, a vicious cycle.  We independently test kits before shipping and only sell those that meet our quality standards.  Cycling is different than the flickering issues caused by daytime running light (DRL) systems.

I have a Luxury Automobile, does that matter?
Some European/Luxury vehicle manufacturing standards for automotive lighting are different than Economy Vehicles.  Sensors in your vehicle's computer require that a certain current flow from the battery before the lights turn on.  When you switch to a Xenon HID Kit, your lights may draw less current and the sensors then think the lights are broken and turn off, or flicker.  With the addition of a "Decoder" or CAN-Bus Ballast, these types of issues are resolved.  Don't buy the wrong kit from another supplier!  We make sure to double check your orders so that you are purchasing the right kit for the right car.  If you are unsure of what type kit you need, send us an email or call us at help@xenonsupply.com or (800) 840-3240.

Why does the Philips bulb and Premium Kit only offer 2 color choices?
We can only offer 4300K and 6000K color options on the Philips bulb and Premium Kit because Philips does not manufacturer unapproved colors for liability reasons.  Once Philips releases other approved bulb colors,  we will stock and offer them as soon as they are available.

What bulb colors do you recommend?
In terms of brightness, 4300K to 6000K are the brightest bulbs and will produce the most visible light.  8000K has a bluer tint and slightly reduced brightness, but still significantly brighter than Halogen bulbs.  Beyond 8000K we do not recommend using the Blue (30,000K) or Purple (35,000K bulbs) for daily road driving.  We stock and sell these products only because there are customers that use these on show cars and for off-road purposes only.  Please remember, a higher color temperature color(K) DOES NOT MEAN brighter bulbs.  This is a very common misconception.  The brightest bulbs are the 4300K-6000K bulbs.

If you are unsure of which bulb color to go with, choose the 6000K bulb!  While 4300K is the most recommended color temperature by auto experts, 6000K is the most preferred color temperature by auto enthusiasts. Please reference the bulb color temperature guide on the product page to assist you in your purchase.

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