dfkd

I recently converted to 5000K HID on my 94 LS and for the 2 months I've had the kit, I've been tweaking the shield on the bulb to try to achieve a respectable cutoff line. The light has always been great but I'd always been concerned about blinding other drivers (not to mention the terrible hotspots).

Using the aluminum tealight cups from Ikea (how's that for innovation) I've been testing different shapes, sizes and heights of the shielding that controls the light to create a low beam pattern in 9003(H4) headlights. The shield that came built on the bulb was pretty much useless because it was so small; it didn't even get as high as the chamber inside the bulb.

I think I've been able to get a pretty good cutoff line and a really even pattern out of these headlights now, so I wanted to get some comparison pics of the cutoff lines you guys have been getting after doing HID conversion on 1st gen LS400's.

So we're looking for pics taken at least 10 ft away from an untextured wall (as white as possible) just to see what kind off cutoff (or chaos) lines we're getting from these conversions.

dfkd

And beam pattern (not the best image as the road is a little wet).

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

cool little mod u did. any DIY soon?

dfkd

From this you can see the angle I had to create with the shield to control the light. In a standard bulb the shield allows the light to move outward parallel to the road.

***camera exposure adjusted*** (thus the really dim parking lights)

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

interesting, but my concern would be that A-where is all the light that is being "deflected" going and B-that tea light thing wont overheat will it?

Och

iTrader: (3)

How exactly did you install these tealight cups? I'm getting my HID kit next week, and I'd like to know how to get that cut off line.

dfkd

The augmented shield is quite reflective (shiny aluminum) so i'd figure most of it is being reflected into the top of the headlight anyway and should be headed to the road in the end.

The augmented shield has been in there for about 2 weeks now with constant use and hasnt had any melting or even discolouration. I took the bulb out a few times specifically to check for that.

dfkd

Pretty much, the strip of aluminum shielding is sitting between and held in place by the original, read "useless" shield, and the coated insulated wire that sends current to the top of the bulb. I set its thickness to fit snugly between the two. I guess this kinda does depend on the bulb that comes with your kit. From what I've seen, the shields they come with are not all the same.

As soon as I get a day that's not so bloody cold I'll pop the bulb out and get a shot of it.

dfkd

So I finally got a day where it's above freezing (albeit only 1 degree above) so I was able to take a few pics of my mini mod.

This one shows the bulb from above.
I laid a strip of the aluminum along the bottom to cover the tip of the bulb (which is painted in normal H4 bulbs).

I used a couple strips (for thickness) to cup the bulb chamber from the sides. What I noticed is that the shield has to go above the level of the chamber to really control the light.

dfkd

This one shows the shielding from below.
You can see the useless shield the bulb came with.

LS4forME

i just installed HIDs for my fogs. I used h3 bulbs which happen to fit my stock 90 ls h3c bulbs. Im still waiting for it to get dark so i can see what it looks like at night..

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

looks good, i do hope that the shield isnt touching the actual bulb, otherwise it will cause a point of heat in the glass leading to an eventual bulb failure.

dfkd

No contact with the bulb anywhere. On the underside my shield is between the original shield and the covered wire that supplies power to the top of the bulb.

tbilisi79

Dude, mad respect for trying to make it work right and not blind people all over the place.

nosechunks

so is this a low beam only thing now? or do you still have high beams?