Bi-xenons

[mr. shr]

Bi-xenons provide both dipped and main from one bulb/pair (a metal shutter alters the beam pattern for dipped) and halogens provide the additional (second) main (full) beam. The halogens are also used to "flash"

So for main (full) beam, is it correct to say that if (on car fitted with bi-xenon) you pull the stalk to flash someone, it will use the halogen bit of the light. And if you push the stalk it will use the xenon bit of the lamp?

 

[Meldrew2]

But is bi-xenon:

1) dipped and main beam
2) dipped and side beam

I thought it was 1)

Or....... multiple choice stylee........

a) Bi Xenon is what you need to do if you want Xenon and dont have any.

b) Bi Xenon means two Xenons, one on each side of the car

c) Bi Xenon means your headlight sleeps with both Xenon and Halogen lamps

 

[whitenemesis]

Bi-xenons provide both dipped and main from one bulb/pair (a metal shutter alters the beam pattern for dipped) and halogens provide the additional (second) main (full) beam. The halogens are also used to "flash"

So for main (full) beam, is it correct to say that if (on car fitted with bi-xenon) you pull the stalk to flash someone, it will use the halogen bit of the light. And if you push the stalk it will use the xenon bit of the lamp?

I don't think one can "flash" the lights with main beam on??

With dipped beam on a car fitted with xenons will use the halogen to "flash".
A car with bi-xenons fitted will use the already illuminated dipped beam xenon to flash, simply by flicking the metal shutter to one side (as it would be if on main beam)

CORRECTION - Just checked when "flashing" with bi-xenons on dipped beam BOTH xenon and halogen flash

 

[whitenemesis]

Or....... multiple choice stylee........

a) Bi Xenon is what you need to do if you want Xenon and dont have any.

b) Bi Xenon means two Xenons, one on each side of the car

c) Bi Xenon means your headlight sleeps with both Xenon and Halogen lamps

All the above are correct...OK #3 is just a life-style choice for the headlight

 

[Meldrew2]

Or..... for £18.95 a pair...... how about these H4 halogen bulbs

http://www.solware.co.uk/customise-car-part-accessories/xenon-h4-headlamp-bulbs.shtml

(scroll well down) 160 watt main beam, 100 watt dipped.

I may or may not have owned some of these and may or may not have fitted them into a motor vehicle which I may or may not have used on the public highway, officer.

They were amazing.

Round here, in the countryside, we called them "rabbit blinders"......

 

[mr. shr]

I don't think one can "flash" the lights with main beam on??

With dipped beam on a car fitted with xenons will use the halogen to "flash".
A car with bi-xenons fitted will use the already illuminated dipped beam xenon to flash, simply by flicking the metal shutter to one side (as it would be if on main beam)

Yep, thanks that makes sense.

So when/how does the second high beam (the halogen one) get used on a bi-xenon car?

 

[GH421]

Self levelling suspension for xenons? What??

 

[whitenemesis]

Self levelling suspension for xenons? What??

No! See post #12

 

[mr. shr]

c) Bi Xenon means your headlight sleeps with both Xenon and Halogen lamps

To be politically correct, we can not pass judgement on who or what one shines a light to!!

 

[whitenemesis]

Yep, thanks that makes sense.

So when/how does the second high beam (the halogen one) get used on a bi-xenon car?

Whenever you set high beam on. You get both illuminated, fantastic!

 

[GH421]

aahhh

How important is the self levelling unit? As in..can we pretend to miss it out? (A)

 

[mr. shr]

Whenever you set high beam on. You get both illuminated, fantastic!

Just had a look at the datacard on my mum's W211. Says it has bi xenons (didn't think it was bi as it's one of the first ones, 52 plate).
But will have a play next time she's up.

Thanks for enlightening me!!

(Time I signed off)

 

[whitenemesis]

aahhh

How important is the self levelling unit? As in..can we pretend to miss it out? (A)

The self-levelling unit is part of the xenon headlamp, you can't miss it out. But what can be done is not install the required loom and sensors to make it work.

If you do "miss it out" you run the very real chance of dazzling on-comming traffic.

When fitted the system is constantly adjusting the headlamp level. When starting up the unit will "dance" as they find the correct level for the vehicle loading. When moving the system will also adjust the lights. Travelling at a steady speed the interval between adjustments are quite long. When accelerating or breaking updates are rapid.

 

[GH421]

so a xenon kit for 75 will prob not have the self levelling?

 

[whitenemesis]

A"kit" for £75 will at best be a very poor aftermarket HID kit, consisting of xenon bulbs and seperate ballasts to be fitted into existing halogen light units - Illegal as already mentioned.

Genuine bi-xenon headlamps are approx £1800 / pr from MB

 

[Spinal]

Putting it in more immediate terms:
>an aftermarket kit has pros and cons:
- Illegal unless you get alot of "extras"
- Possibility to fail MOT/SVA test
- Insurace can use this as a "get out" clause (vehicle not road legal, hence policy is void)
- On most mercs, you need to drill holes into your humidity covers
- Bulb availability?
- With some kits, you still need to recode with STAR computer, dealer might not be too keen (and if you don't need to recode, then your kit isn't as efficient as it should be as it is still drawing 55W/65W)
+ Cheap

OEM kit:
- Need to sell the car to afford the kit (expensive)
- No colour choice
+ Legal
+ Looks "right"
+ No coding, etc

Personally, I just bought a set of osram nightbreaker bulbs... I did promise pics of different bulbs at night a while ago, will get those done as soon as I find my camera...

M.