Are HID Kits legal in NZ?

[furryfren]

I see lots of HID kits selling on trademe but this I got from LTSA:

"HID conversion kits (an HID bulb with a high voltage power unit or ‘ballast’ which fits into the original headlamp unit in place of the original bulb with no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing) are illegal on any vehicle being used on New Zealand roads."

Help me understand if the kits from trademe are legal?

I was going to go with this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =254178262

[Alex B]

No not legal unless you replace the lends with an HID unit, like how some cars have HID's as an option, you could swap them over, but can't run them in a housing not designed for HID's.

[matt dunn]

It is illegal to fit HID bulbs to a car that was not HID from factory.

Yes the trademe kits are Illegal for on roda use,


probably find that they have "for off road use only" somewhere on the box.

[furryfren]

Thanks guys.

[NILPSI]

If i remember correctly all HID equipped vehicles also have to have self height adjusting, and self cleaning headlamps (water sprayers)

May be wrong about the sprayers, but all the new cars that come through work with HID have them

[Akane]

HID lens housing is specially designed so the beams don't scatter etc, you'll have to google on that, it's a LONG read.

But if you ever decide to do it anyway, please readjust your housing to point down a bit more (I always do it), it doesn't blind people as much.

You can see on my avatar, you'll get blinded at that angle.

[Alex B]

If i remember correctly all HID equipped vehicles also have to have self height adjusting, and self cleaning headlamps (water sprayers)

May be wrong about the sprayers, but all the new cars that come through work with HID have them

Don't know about that, my integra has them factory and has no water sprayers and I'm 90% sure they are just manual ajustment.

[sergei]

What is the craze about HID?
Most HID kits I've seen come with direct bulb replacement. Due to design of the lens (for halogen), completely different focusing needed for HID.
If you drive with HID light bulb fitted into halogen lens, you are simply an inconsiderate asshole. Especially if you put those deeply blue hinted light bulbs.
As for superiority in spectrum and coverage - good halogen setup will outperform HID. HID have very poor spectrum, even expensive ones have huge drops and glow with a few very defined peaks.
If you think you can see better with blue light bulbs, you are mistaken. Blue lighting creates a lot of haze, and it takes longer for eye to adjust from blue lighting when blinded.
People with dyed blue halogens are simply inconsiderate assholes as well.
In case of lighting the safety definitely should come first, unless you don't plan to drive at night, ever.

[Akane]

I wanna drive in opposing traffic with sergei.

[Elmo]

I have over 400 watts of halogen head lamp power and I have no issues seeing at night

[pidge]

I have over 400 watts of halogen head lamp power and I have no issues seeing at night

I have that on my Dolomite - 2 x 120W High beam + 2 x 120W pencil beams. I think. Can see a loooooooong way down the road at night. Attract moths like $^&& though...

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

[sergei]

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

You will find that having such large wattage light bulbs in Levin (I assume you have stock wiring) would make them dimmer/redder than 55W (or whatever comes from factory).

[Mr Revhead]

I have over 400 watts of halogen head lamp power and I have no issues seeing at night

I have that on my Dolomite - 2 x 120W High beam + 2 x 120W pencil beams. I think. Can see a loooooooong way down the road at night. Attract moths like $^&& though...

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

You have a Dolomite? I demand pics!!

[Elmo]

I have over 400 watts of halogen head lamp power and I have no issues seeing at night

I have that on my Dolomite - 2 x 120W High beam + 2 x 120W pencil beams. I think. Can see a loooooooong way down the road at night. Attract moths like $^&& though...

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

I put 140/100's in my levin, bought the aftermarket wiring loom with the relays for it. It was beautiful.

I havent up graded the main beems on my truck as I have a tendancy to smash them, so keep them cheap! lol (although its just the lenses I smash, havent done a bulb yet)

[sergei]

I have over 400 watts of halogen head lamp power and I have no issues seeing at night

I have that on my Dolomite - 2 x 120W High beam + 2 x 120W pencil beams. I think. Can see a loooooooong way down the road at night. Attract moths like $^&& though...

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

You have a Dolomite? I demand pics!!

Here, nice example of Dolomite

[BlakJak]

For the record, our FAQ contains an article on vehicle lighting

viewtopic.php?t=45506

Which contains a link to

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicl ... right.html

Which clearly states:

High intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits

HID conversion kits (an HID bulb with a high voltage power unit or ‘ballast’ which fits into the original headlamp unit in place of the original bulb with no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing) are illegal on any vehicle being used on New Zealand roads.

However, a complete halogen headlamp unit can be replaced with a complete HID headlamp unit provided that the replacement headlamp unit complies with approved standards. If in doubt, get advice from a vehicle lighting retailer you trust.

...

[pidge]

Unlike the puny 2 x 80W on my Levin

You will find that having such large wattage light bulbs in Levin (I assume you have stock wiring) would make them dimmer/redder than 55W (or whatever comes from factory).

I stand corrected. I was guessing the high beam wattage...

[pidge]

You have a Dolomite? I demand pics!!

I'll admit "have" is debatable - I own it, but it's at the other end of the North Island from me



Trivia regarding the car:
- Was owned by Graham McDonald (Croydens Supra) a few owners back.
- Now hosting a TR7 engine, single rail OD gear box, Dolomite Sprint Rear Axle.
- and could have imported a recondition Dolomite Sprint from the UK for what I p*ssed away on it

[RunningRich]

Best place for any Triumph is the opposite end of the country (or planet)...

[Mr Revhead]

Hey Dolomites are cool!
Heralds on the other had....