paulo57509

I have a general question regarding HID capsules (bulbs). These are replacement Hella D2R capsules. One of the boxes was definitely a return-to-stock; tape and finger nail evidence.




My question is in regards to what a new capsule looks like; I have no other frame of reference. Specifically, the area where the arc takes place. I'm thinking this is from in-process (manufacturing) QC for intensity/alignment, etc.


Capsule from the return-to-stock box.


Capsule from the unopened box.

CELSI0R

I'm not an HID expert by any means, but doing some reading online - those appear to be salts inside the bulb, which are part of how HIDs operate.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/thread...23/post-406965

See this post and the reply 2 posts below it:
"I believe it is normal to have *some* residual coating on the inside as those are the salts that vaporize (high voltage causes a dielectric breakdown)."

Also:
https://www.bulbs.com/learning/hid.aspx

At this point, I would just make sure the glass of the bulbs are clean and plug them in to give them a shot

paulo57509

From what little evidence there is regarding the stuff in the arc chamber, it does appear to be metallic salts as you describe. It appears that the salts or a mixture of different salts is used to "adjust" the color temperature of the plasma produced by the arc.

I did purchase another pair of Hella 4300k bulbs (from a different source) and the salts appear in these as well. I would say their presence is normal at this point.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

for some reason i'm a stickler when it comes to bulbs so when i see packaging like that i wince and ask for another unit, especially at the prices they are charging for them now!

paulo57509

I normally get lighting from Susquehenna Motorsports but was told Hella 5000K D2R's have been on factory back order for quite a while and they could not provide an estimated delivery date.

The bulb in the obviously opened box doesn't show any signs of being installed. However, this is one reason why I normally avoid Rock Auto for lighting - bulb returns are a common place. I ordered from them because they had the 5000K bulks.

At $28/each from either RA or Susquehenna, the price isn't outrageous.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

oh $28 isn't too bad. back in the day they were $50 or more!

paulo57509

Beside us die hards, I don't think there's not much of a demand for D2R's anymore. Looks like their use died out around the mid-2000's.