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MG MGA - Xenon hid headlights

Has anyone had any experience with Xenon hid conversions?
John McMaster

Only experience I have had is having them coming at me on rainy nights. Not a pleasant experience.
Ed Bell

You should check how hot they get. I heard that they can melt plugs, etc. (According to HONDA, who explained why the sockets in the side lights on my wife's Prelude had self destructed after the PO fitted Xenon bulbs)
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Thanks Peter I will ask around about that. I am actually thinking about my work truck that is used in all sorts of conditions rather than the MG.
John.
John McMaster

Don't know about Xeon, but I can say that Sylvania Silverstars are really bright. I love them. I checked the current draw and it's about the same as an ordinary headlamp, less that 1.5 amps.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

I'd be interested in knowing what prompts the question.
David Breneman

Thanks GTF I'll check them out.
David, According to some reports these lights give far greater definition of objects in the periphery areas. These are not for my MG which, like myself, seldom ventures out at night anymore but rather my work truck which is not always driven by me and might provide more safety for my boys.
John.
John McMaster

GTF You must have good eyes if you think your headlights are bright. I make 1.5amps at 12volts 18watts! You must have been looking at the wrong scale on your meter unless Sylvania silverstars are some kind of energy savers. My standard H4 halogens take 5amps each.
Lindsay Sampford

Lindsay,
I understand the math, but, that's what I measured. I'm pretty sure my meter is in calibration. This was measured off the car, using a 12V power source. May have to do the test again, just to prove I wasn't "hammered" at the time!
GTF
G T Foster

Gerry, I would suggest that maybe your off-car power source is not capable of delivering 5amps. If you check the voltage whilst the bulb is connected, I think you will find that it drops below 12volts. I'm sure that your bulbs are bright, but probably when they are powered by the car's power source!
Lindsay Sampford

This thread was discussed between 28/11/2010 and 02/12/2010

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.