For those of you that know me, know that I’m not happy with the light output from the OEM HID’s. Some may say that I’m obsessed with the HID’s output.

Well I bought a set of lenses off Ebay to retrofit the RX8 projectors, thinking that this would increase the light output. These lenses are off an S2K and are slightly bigger. I was hoping to bake the headlights , so that I could open them and swap out the lenses.

After pulling off the headlights from the 8, I took off all the metal parts. (metal will melt any part of your plastic housing that it is comes into contact with) I was unable to remove the HID bulb or the ballast. For some reason the ballast runs directly under then through the headlights. I think that the only to remove the bulb is to cut the wire to the harness, which I was unwilling to do. That or take my chances baking the with the bulb and harness intact.

I was hoping to be writing a DIY how to bake your headlights. Complete with before and after pics. Instead it’s back to the drawing board. Until I think of something else, I think I will get a HID kit for the fog lights. Anyone have any ideas, comments, or suggestions?

 

A larger lens won't increase the light output.

 

um the HID lights come out no problem, ballast/bulb/and all

cut the wires? I don't think so...lots of people on the forum have swapped their HID bulbs...I think u need the service manual

 

Sure it would.

 

Ok. I will look at the service manual. I did a search, has anyone successfully either switched out the projectors or baked the headlights?

 

I suppose this is a dumb question, but why would you want to bake your headlights? Do you mean "bake" as in put in an oven?

 

Yes, you put them in an oven to heat them up enough to undo the glue that holds the clear plastic housing togther.

This a common practice with BMW owners who want angeleyes.

 

The laws of physics say no.

You can focus it however you like, a pinpoint, a wide beam, or a kitty kat, but the average intensity will be the same reguardless. The only way to increase output of a bulb is to buy a greater intensity blub.

You must be thinking of how you get better lowlight ability with a lower f-stop value (aperature to length ratio), with light GATHERING lenses(cameras, telescopes, binoculars). Which is definetly not the same thing in this case.

 

I once told that there are no stupid questions. The reason I want to bake the headlights is, so that I can put in some different projectors.

 

Have you tried this personally? I have seen, on a other forum, where someone with projectors off a RX8 swapped lenes and got better light output. He posted before and after pics, there was diffinitely a noticeable difference.

 

Lol, that is just like saying: Have you tried to fly? I heard someone in new england flapped their arms and just took off.

Like I said, you can change the focus of the bulbs, If you already have a high output bulb you can widen it a bit or re-direct the light to an area of the road you look at more often. But the intensity will not change. If anything, the way he took the picture changed, often people who take pictures don't really know what they are doing, they just press the button and hope for the best.

I don't have to try it personally, because I have actually had college physics, and I can tell you that you can't amplify light with only a lens, you can only re-direct the light's rays to go in different directions using a lens.

Tell you what, once I see this guy's output light change, using a calibrated LUX meter, and if it actually did go up in the same area as the previous lens, then I will buy both you and me a set of these lenses, and the guy who supposedly "did it" will get the nobel prize for science, how does that sound?

 

It is not that serious. I wasn't trying to turn this into a pissing contest. I was simply passing along some info that some us of might find usefull. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

I don't know if this will help but have you ever burn ants with a magnifying glass. You see the sun put's out the same amount of light(or energy) but the magnifying glass just redirects it in a smaller area giving you more heat(or energy) in a smaller space.

 

The output is designed to adhere to DOT regulations regarding the cutoff pattern. The projector and lens are designed to work together to meet these specs. A different lens might produce a cutoff pattern than someone finds more satisfying, probably by directing a portion of the available light above the normal cutoff line. This doesn't mean the headlight is putting out more light. Likely what it means is that the light is now shining in places where it wasn't before -- places where it should not be shining at all. The cutoff for HID lamps is strictly defined, to keep from dazzling and blinding other people on the road with glare. That's important.

 

holy thread revival.... But I've basked my headlights, painted the inside black, and reinstalled...

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

 

I have done this with success. The reason it works is the rx8 has a lens that is not clear. I forget the Anne of the style lens. But u can't see through it. And I swapped to a rsx lens if I remember correctly. It's been like 4 years now.Anyway. Go to theretrofit source.com. and check them out. they sell different lenses. You have to modify (wedge) the new lenses with something but it works.... Once you get it apart you will understand what I'm talking about .