What is the difference between Xenon and HID's??
12-01-2003, 02:55 AM
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The halogen bulbs typically found in most cars produce lights as current flows across two points across typically a tungsten filament. This filament glows producing light. When this filament breaks the bulbs is no good anymore.
HID bulbs or capsules do not have this filament. When the bulb starts a high voltage is sent to the bulb which creates and arc between the two points which excites the gas inside the bulb creating the light. A typical HID bulb requires a very high voltage to create this initial arc, and then once the arc has been created they are quite efficient, and probably use less electricity than a standard halogen.
The Xenon bulbs on the market are just regular halogen bulbs that imitate HID light. They usually contain Xenon gas under high pressure which causes them to be brighter (which also cause a shorten life). Then usually also will have a blue tint on the bulb to imitate HID lights.
These wanna-be HID lights usually give off a bluish light, where HID is closer to white (full spectrum light). People tend to mistake them for bluish because the light may appear blue at certain angles (probably due to projector). A blue light is actually the worst color when it comes to driving in rain or fog. The blue spectrum is actually absorbed more easily by the rain droplets leaving you with less light. The rest of the spectrum was already absorbed by the bluish filter/tint on the bulb.
The bottom line is there is no cheap replacement for real HID lights. Xenon bulbs at the auto store don't even come close to the same level of light as a true HID system.
HID bulbs or capsules do not have this filament. When the bulb starts a high voltage is sent to the bulb which creates and arc between the two points which excites the gas inside the bulb creating the light. A typical HID bulb requires a very high voltage to create this initial arc, and then once the arc has been created they are quite efficient, and probably use less electricity than a standard halogen.
The Xenon bulbs on the market are just regular halogen bulbs that imitate HID light. They usually contain Xenon gas under high pressure which causes them to be brighter (which also cause a shorten life). Then usually also will have a blue tint on the bulb to imitate HID lights.
These wanna-be HID lights usually give off a bluish light, where HID is closer to white (full spectrum light). People tend to mistake them for bluish because the light may appear blue at certain angles (probably due to projector). A blue light is actually the worst color when it comes to driving in rain or fog. The blue spectrum is actually absorbed more easily by the rain droplets leaving you with less light. The rest of the spectrum was already absorbed by the bluish filter/tint on the bulb.
The bottom line is there is no cheap replacement for real HID lights. Xenon bulbs at the auto store don't even come close to the same level of light as a true HID system.
12-01-2003, 03:12 AM
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about 500 bucks ;)
Xenon is an inert gas. If you remember your 'noble gases' from chemestry: Xenon, Radon, Krypton, Argon. Why these gases are used is that they are essentially non-reactive (having their valance shells filled). Its just a filler to keep the bulb from going "BOOM" if exposed to reactive air.
There are Xenon bulbs that are not HID also.
Its the combination of filiment, the buffering gas and the voltage that determines if they are HID or not. Hid lights are around 10k volts if I remember right, but you can get 12v xenon bulbs..
There are Xenon bulbs that are not HID also.
Its the combination of filiment, the buffering gas and the voltage that determines if they are HID or not. Hid lights are around 10k volts if I remember right, but you can get 12v xenon bulbs..
12-01-2003, 04:59 AM
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Most manufacturers call HID lights "Xenon"
I think it causes a lot of confusion. Most people think that $30 Xenon gas filled bulbs are the same thing as an HID lighting system.
If your car came with "Xenon" lights, then you have HID lighting.
If your car came with "Xenon" lights, then you have HID lighting.
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12-01-2003, 05:16 AM
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Re: Most manufacturers call HID lights "Xenon"
Outside the automotive world, such as industrial lighting, many gasses are used as the light emitting media through which the electrical arc passes. Those yellow street lights are sodium vapor lights - they are one type of HID lamps. Xenon is another gas, and the discharge (ie using an arc) lamps employing Xenon are indeed HID lamps. But arcs need high voltages and ballasts to control the arc current - so it stands to reason that the cheap 12V replacement "Xenon" bulbs are NOT HID lamps. It is impossible to start the arc at 12V. These are actually filament lamps, encased in Xenon. Sure, they give some of the brilliance of Xenon arc lamps, but nothing like as good. The 12 V Xenon lamps are close relatives of the good old halogen bulbs, which also have a filament, "burning" in a sealed atmosphere usually of gaseous Iodine.
