HID Install Question...help!!!

[petevandyke]

OK, I got the HID lamp from the group buy for the low beam, followed the install thread (thank you, guys, for the pics and postings!) and the directions included with the kit, discovered that the "base" of the HID lamp was significantly smaller in circumference than the regular H7 or whatever the low-beam lamp is for the 2004 LT I have. Soooo, when I went to put it into the now-vacant opening for the bulb, it pushed right into the headlight casing.

So, I put the soft rubber "donut" that was on the base of the HID "bulb" back on it, which stabilizes the bulb (a good thing!), and although it took a LOT of cussin' and a needle-nose pliers, allowed me to put the clips back on, securing the bulb and donut combination. I fired it up, no problems, observed it for a while, no heat issues affecting the rubber (making me think "um, maybe that was SUPPOSED to stay on there, dummy") and after 4 combined riding hours, I checked again and all seems fine.

Grif, Dave, Jeff and all of you techno-geniuses, did I do good, or did I screw something up?


Pete

(PS, I didn't think it was making much of a difference until last night at 10PM when every car on the road in front of me changed lanes...I can only IMAGINE what low AND high-beam HIDs would be like with my PIAA aux lights blazing...)

[Hilton]

Pete, I used a different supplier from the UK and both the H7 & H9 globes were a straight swap, but it sounds as though the rubber donut was similar, it's just used to stabilize the bulb in the packing case, not for use when installed.

[zippy_gg]

Pete, got pics???:confused:
I am very visual and needs to see what you mean!:p But I don't think you are supposed to use the rubber thingie at all...

[cfell]

Pete,
I also wonder how the "focus" on your lamp may be affected.

The "depth/hotspot" of your standard bulb and the HID capsule should be as close to identical as possible.

So, did the donut just stabilize the bulb at the correct depth or is it "floating"?

Next, will the capsule "move" up and down?

pics?

[petevandyke]

Pete,
I also wonder how the "focus" on your lamp may be affected.

The "depth/hotspot" of your standard bulb and the HID capsule should be as close to identical as possible.

So, did the donut just stabilize the bulb at the correct depth or is it "floating"?

Next, will the capsule "move" up and down?

pics?


it's PERFECT, actually...

I'll take some shots tonight and post them, but basically, the original bulb's "base" was maybe 3/16th of an inch bigger in diameter than the HID bulb shipped to me, when I put the rubber thing on, it sits perfectly in the seating for the bulb base, the HID bulb is secure, and is exactly the same position as the "old" bulb...which, in combination with no burning or heat issues, makes me wonder if that was supposed to be like that...

anyone who got the group purchase care to chime in?

Pictures at 8


Pete

[dlbushey]

Pete,

I got my Hi and Low beam HID kits on the group buy. Had no problems with the install of either one on my '99. The H7 base was the same size as the halogen I took out. Maybe they sent you the wrong bulb?

[Josmas]

I just installed mine and the base seemed slightly smaller, but not enough for it to fall through. The lamp did float a little in the opening, but I secured it with the spring clips and it seems to be sturdy.
If the base is supposed to be exactly the same as the stock lamp, then I'd say we have the wrong lamps. :confused:

[bowlesj]

it's PERFECT, actually...

I'll take some shots tonight and post them, but basically, the original bulb's "base" was maybe 3/16th of an inch bigger in diameter than the HID bulb shipped to me, when I put the rubber thing on, it sits perfectly in the seating for the bulb base, the HID bulb is secure, and is exactly the same position as the "old" bulb...which, in combination with no burning or heat issues, makes me wonder if that was supposed to be like that...

anyone who got the group purchase care to chime in?

Pictures at 8


Pete

Pete,

Just installed mine today and my new bulb's base looked just like the H7 coming out, including the small indexing tab at the top of the base. The rubber washer was not and should not be used. The bulb fits nicely and the retaining clips snap into position with a little pressure. Sounds like your bulb may not be right. Pics will be interesting. Mine's an '04 also.

[zippy_gg]

Pete, I am wondering if you didn't inadvertently get an H3 instead of an H7...:think:

[Josmas]

The attachments show the lamp I was sent next to the stock lamp.
Is this different than what I should have received? :confused:

[johnrehder]

The attachments show the lamp I was sent next to the stock lamp.
Is this different than what I should have received? :confused:

I just installed my H7 kit and the base of the HID was indentical to the H7 bulb I removed. I'm not sure what bulb you got because I did not get the high beam H3. It looks to me like you got the wrong bulb.

[JPSpen]

Just what I was thinking.

It should have been pretty much an exact fit... Perhaps you did get the wrong lamp by mistake....(hopefully theirs )

Mine fit without issues..

Good Luck

John

[Josmas]

I should have been more clear... The pictures are of the low beam on an '05

[Josmas]

I checked my pay-pal record and I did order the H-7 5000K lamp. I sent an e-mail to CQ to see if I can send them the pics to confirm that it is the wrong lamp and to determine if it is wrong if I can send back just the lamp or if I need to send back the whole kit.

[bowlesj]

I should have been more clear... The pictures are of the low beam on an '05

Yea that is definitely the wrong bulb base. I think it's an H3. Probably same problem Pete has.

CQ did handle a lot of orders in a short period. I even received 2 kits when I ordered 1 and am sending the extra one back tomorrow.

BTW - Thanks Grif.

Nice work!

[petevandyke]

Yup, same problem...

Here's my pics, and the "rubber donut" I described...it's what they have on the "bulb" when they ship it, and believe it or not, when you put it back on, it fits perfectly...but now I have to reach out to them (does anyone have a phone number for Joe and I, by the way????) and get a different bulb...

Shit.

[petevandyke]

I checked my pay-pal record and I did order the H-7 5000K lamp. I sent an e-mail to CQ to see if I can send them the pics to confirm that it is the wrong lamp and to determine if it is wrong if I can send back just the lamp or if I need to send back the whole kit.


Joe,

Let me know what the response is, and if you come up with a phone number?

I spent a lot of time yesterday getting it wired nicely (well for me, others would laugh at my attempt...) and am hoping they just replace the bulb, because if I have to strip all of that stuff and send it all back, I am going "refund" not "replacement," I think...

petevandyke@gmail.com


(PS, anyone who wants a kickass price on a group buy for a Shoei Multitec, see the thread that was moved to: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18971

[zippy_gg]

Pete and Joe, the number is 510-688-3122.
At least you know what the problem is and you can easily fix it, although it is on your own time.

[petevandyke]

Pete and Joe, the number is 510-688-3122.
At least you know what the problem is and you can easily fix it, although it is on your own time.


maybe I'll just plug my sylvania silverstar into the socket for the HID and see what happens until I get the replacement...


lol


(and I laughed at the flaming goldwing guy...)

[kb0lxx]

Next question. How do I know if you got the 5000K bulb, since mine has no markings on it? The metal strip next to the bulb is blue. Does the blue mean anything?

Jim Campbell
Grand Forks, ND

[Josmas]

I'll wait to see if I get a response to the e-mail before I call.

Pete, I'll keep you posted on this. I'm glad you brought this up. I would have let it go the way it is.

[petevandyke]

me too...especially since the bottom part of the HID bulb is made of plastic and not metal, I figured "what the hell, plastic and rubber, what' sthe difference?" although i chewed the shit out of my fingers getting the clips back on...

[grahamw]

Unfortunately I did not see this until I had finished instaling mine last night. The 'new' base was similar to the old one and had a notch to locate it. Once it is seated properly it is easy to put the clips in place. The 'new' base does not look right and it may be worth looking at Joe's pics or other install threads for comparison.

Got mine fitted last night without too much hassle and thanks to Joes excellent pics and write ups. Looks very different and I am looking forward to the ride home tonight in the proper dark rather than the half light of this morning ;-)

Many thanks to Grif for organising and a special thanks to Deputy5211 for shipping the part to me.

[Josmas]

I did receive a reply from CQ today and they say they will replace the bulb if is wrong. They did ask me to send the picture that I posted here to confirm that the bulb is incorrect. I did, and am now waiting for a reply.

They did not specify if the ballast and starter is universal to all bulbs or if each ballast-starter is specific to each bulb. I'm still not sure if just the bulb needs to be replaced or the whole kit.

When I receive additional info I'll post it.

[zippy_gg]

They did not specify if the ballast and starter is universal to all bulbs or if each ballast-starter is specific to each bulb. I'm still not sure if just the bulb needs to be replaced or the whole kit.

When I receive additional info I'll post it.The ballast and igniter are common to other capsules as well, so most likely they will only require that you send back the capsule only. You can have them cross ship if you are in a hurry, and I bet you are. That is what they did when I had a shorted ballast. They will ask for a credit card number, ship the part to you, and credit you when they get your returned part. In my case they never even charged my card at all...

[Josmas]

You can have them cross ship if you are in a hurry, and I bet you are.

That's the fortunate (or unfortunate) thing. With temps in the teens :eek: here in New Hampshire I'm not doing a lot of riding, so I'm really not in a hurry. I'll probably get blasted for complaining about riding in the cold, but I guess I'm not quite a die-hard.

[zippy_gg]

That's the fortunate (or unfortunate) thing. With temps in the teens :eek: here in New Hampshire I'm not doing a lot of riding, so I'm really not in a hurry. I'll probably get blasted for complaining about riding in the cold, but I guess I'm not quite a die-hard.Don't listen to them blasters!!:p Riding should be fun. If you are NOT having fun, what is the point?;)

[Josmas]

I received an e-mail from Chu Ho at CQ today indicating that he is sending the correct bulb :sun: to me today. He also apologized for the mistake and the inconvenience. He did ask that I send the wrong bulb back to him, which I will do tomorrow.
I was very satisfied with the way they handled the problem and I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them again. :thumb:

Pete, and anyone else who may have a mixup in their order, I suggest you contact them ASAP at info@cqlight.ca.

Hey Pete, I'm sorry if I kind of hijacked your thread. I hope you get your light straightened out. I owe you one :beer: for pointing out the mistake.