LAWYER2

I finally bought and installed some projectors with a 6K HID kit. It really looks great compared to the old setup.
My concern is that the lights just aren't as blue as I'd expected. I know its only a cosmetic concern, but should I have gotten the 8k ballast instead?
Is there anything I can do to make it more of a blue tint like what my factory lights look like in my W211?

-Also, it appears that the light beam itself is at a lower level. Is there a way to adjust the beam level

mint

I like the OEM 4.3K the most as it balances color and output very well (optimal output next to 3K). 6K is about the highest temp I would go...kinda hate 8K to be honest. Only way to make it more blue is by going 8K. Oh, and you only have to change the bulb to change the color, not the ballast (provided wattage matches).

I only know the adjustment screws on the OEM headlights. I don't know if this adjustment screw is replaced by the aftermarket housings. If not, google "W208 headlight adjustment" and you'll find it. If the adjustment is aftermarket, you'll have to ask around or try looking it up -- can't be too difficult to figure out.

LAWYER2

OIC, I thought the color was associated with ballast wattage (for lack of a better term). Can anyone make a recommendation on what bulb to buy and where, in order to acheive the desired outcome

Williams707

If you want to know the color of (K)elvin here is a chart.
I have HID 6K on both my Headlights and Fogs, I think it's the best for visibility but of course Blue is always Cool.

LAWYER2

so is the ballast that came with the projectors capable of running say the 1000k in the picture you posted?

Williams707

Not sure, I would have to say that as long as the Watts are the same which is used to power the HIDs then I would say yes.

LAWYER2

wait, I have a 6k ballast so theoretically what you're saying is I would NOT be able to use the 10, 12, 20, and 30k bulbs with the existing ballast?

mint

There's two main types of watts for HID bulbs and ballasts: 35W and 55W. You can run any temp bulb (3K, 4.3K, 6K, 8K, 10K, 12K 15K) as long as the bulbs' watts match the ballast. It's usually recommended you stick with 35W as it's factory rated; 55W overdrives the circuit and can fry the harness and sometimes other things.

The ballasts only start and drive the power to the bulbs; they have no color temp associated with them. The only distinction of ballasts is 35W or 55W.

Williams707

Think of it this way...

6000k
8000k

K being Kelvin is just the Color or Color Temperature so only concern yourself with the wattage output of the ballast + what twinsin said


Example: My headlights are MB OE ballasts that originally came with 4300K but I'm running 6000K bulbs.

LAWYER2

Oh wow, Great info guys!
So technically I can just buy these and I should get the desired results I'm looking for?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2X-HI...#ht_6084wt_939

Would I be able to find something like this locally?

Josh K

Your local ricer shop might have 10k bulbs. They're pretty easy to find online. Good luck actually seeing at night with anything over 6k though.

Freshly

I got 6,000K and could not be happier. They make the headlights standout without looking like a street racer. Mine are a pure diamond blue. I think you will be really happy w them. If you want to see what they would look like check out my profile. I got some pics of them.

LAWYER2

I had 6,000k w/ projectors installed on my W220 and they looked just like OEM Xenons, so naturally I thought that's what they'd look like on my w208 but they don't, they look off white.
Are there specific sizes that I need, or are they pretty much universal

Williams707

Unfortunately there is no true consistency in the color between manufactures. I ran two different 6000Ks on my car from 2 separate companies and they were noticeably off. Because I'm big on balance I ended up having to replace both my headlights and my fog lights. I'm in Japan so I'm not sure where you can buy, guess you will just have to call around to your local shops and ask.

big_mike1979

i had a diff ballast on my 10000k ( very blue)which my lights were flickering then they recommended me to upgrade my ballast and the flickering went away but it flicker once in a while and its not prob for me anymore. but when i plug my light back in, the blue one turned into white and became soo strong... so i wanted the blue color again and found another company that had 20000k royal blue and its almost dark navy now and loving it.

big_mike1979

and yes the K's do varies from diff companies.

a 10000k from big mike is not the same as 10000k from Williams707... hug diff

Freshly

I installed 6,000K Xenon bulbs replacing the stock 4,300. My lights have a flickering issue too. Is that caused from a ballast issue? They flicker really lightly, but sometimes I notice it on bumpy roads at night. How can I fix this? I did buy fairly inexpensive bulbs online, i love the color though.

big_mike1979

its your ballast Freshly...... they sent me 4 kits on my previous ballast and they kept on flickering..htey sent me bulbs as well and new wires and kept on doing it. final resort was to upgrade the ballast so i did and kept the bulb and the wires and its stopped flickering... now my left side, flicker once in a blue moon and im very happy. but i guess when u upgrade the ballast, it produces more Watts or whatever it is, it will kill the color that u have and turns into bright white.... so i had to get diff bulb with higher K and it stayed blue.

im waiting on a bulb from them and once i get it, i will post some pics.

btw, nice car and nice light..looks very nice

this is a pic of my hid fog and 20000k royal blue..it makes my led h6 city light like **** even though they are blue/white

Freshly

Thanks! Did you have xenons stock? My car came with them and it doesnt make since why these bulbs would flicker and the stock bulbs were fine. Do higher Kelvin bulbs draw more power? I havnt heard that. Are you saying i need to get an aftermarket ballast system to replace the OEM mercedes one?
I found this website interesting:
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/21...bs-kelvin.html

big_mike1979

oh yours was stock HID?? mine was regular bulb and i did the conversion.

no i was talking about the ballast, if the number goes higher and if u uses a 6000k it will appear more like 4000k or so....

i dont know why yours would flicker then...
when i install my regular bulbs, it does not flicker and if i used the hid and before i upgraded my ballast, it flickered a lot and once i upgraded my ballast, it did not stopped flickering but it killed my blue color on my 10000k

big_mike1979

ok that site is diff then mine.
his 10000k is purple where my 10000k is brillant blue
when i upgraded my ballast and if i wanted the blue, i had to go with the 20000k for royal blue and 30000k is purple since my 10000k turned into brillant white

Freshly

Oh I see what ur talkin about. Ya my car came with factory Xenon HID's. All I did was replace the OEM 4300K xenon bulbs with aftermarket 6000K bulbs i got online. They are probably just inexpensive bulbs. When they burnout I will get the Phillips Xenon bulbs, i heard they are the best quality.

big_mike1979

No prob.... might as well get the phillips xenon and replace em.. it would drive me nuts at night and my lights flickers.. anyhow it looks good.

Williams707

Yes cause the value market of my 10000K is way more than yours...



What's up bro? see you back on the forums.

big_mike1979

JAPANESE MADE LOL..
same old thing, back at the gym after my injury and taking it easy.... yup im back .
good to hear from u