Ring explodes Xenon HID bulb myths

August 28, 2018
Ring explodes Xenon HID bulb myths
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Aftermarket lighting experts, Ring, have issued some practical information that sheds new light on some of the myths that surround Xenon HID bulb technology.


Despite their rising use, many technicians are still reluctant to offer Xenon HIDs, often seeing them as difficult to fit, expensive and potentially hazardous.

Carl Harrison, bulb expert and Product Manager for Automotive Lighting at Ring says that after carrying out extensive market research the company’s expert team decided to look at the top five common Xenon HID misconceptions.

Myth number one: Xenon HID bulbs are difficult to fit. - Once the headlamps and ignition are switched off and the fuse removed, the bulb can be replaced in much the same way as a standard halogen filament bulb.

Myth number two: Xenon HID bulbs must be replaced by the main dealer. - The process of fitting a Xenon HID bulb is simple.  There isn’t any reason why independent garages cannot fit them. To help Ring has developed printed fitting guides and an updated fitting video, which can be found at youtube.com/RingAuto

Myth number three: Xenon HID bulbs last forever. - Over the life of the bulb, the light from a Xenon HID bulb will change colour temperature and its light output will fall. With this in mind, Ring recommends replacing Xenon HID bulbs at least every five years, and both left and right bulbs at the same time to ensure light output is consistent.

Myth number four: - You can’t tell the quality of a Xenon HID bulb just by looking at it. All Ring Xenon HID bulbs are E marked to identify that they meet the strict requirements of ECE Regulation 99 – the UNECE standard for Gas Discharge Light Sources for Vehicles.

Myth number five: The market for Xenon HID bulbs is in decline. - The number of vehicles with HID headlamps entering the car parc is still growing. Demand for D3S bulbs in particular is growing significantly due to changes in legislation. Approximately 10% of vehicles in the car parc have HID headlamps.

Xenon HID bulbs are different from ordinary bulbs as they have no filament. Instead, they have a glass capsule in the centre of the bulb containing xenon gas. Two metal electrodes going into the glass capsule enable a high voltage to cross the xenon gas. This voltage ignites the gas to produce a bright white light output. For the bulbs to illuminate, the start-up voltage has to be very high and therefore a ballast is required for each headlamp. These ballasts convert the vehicle’s 12V DC voltage to ignite the bulb and then maintain a lower operating voltage.

Ring says, as Xenon HID bulbs become more common and are no longer restricted to just premium or luxury cars, many more motorists are now benefiting from the crisper, whiter colour temperatures, helping them see road signs and obstacles more clearly.

Ring offers a comprehensive range of Xenon HIDs, including the new D5 reference. These are available from stockists nationwide.
Ring Automotive
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