VW R32: Icy HIDs
The R32 is great nevertheless there were some things that I found disappointing about the 2004 North American iteration sold in the United States. One of which is that for some inexplicable reason (probably $$$) prior to shipping R32s to the United States they stripped them of the HIDs European R32s possessed stock.
I consider HIDs to be first a safety issue and second a performance issue. Having said that, the HIDs on European R32s were in short supply, and expensive, so I delayed a little in purchasing them. Anywhoo, I installed HIDs years ago.
This post is to make the observation that HIDs emit less heat than conventional headlights. As a consequence on a snowy night somewhere in New York or Pennsylvannia I discovered that my Lexan covers had iced over the HIDs. It was pitch dark and snowing so I hadn't realized I wasn't getting optimum light output.
See below the fold for a picture.
Not sure what's up with my pictures on this blog, but if you click on it you should get an unobstructed view.
I consider HIDs to be first a safety issue and second a performance issue. Having said that, the HIDs on European R32s were in short supply, and expensive, so I delayed a little in purchasing them. Anywhoo, I installed HIDs years ago.
This post is to make the observation that HIDs emit less heat than conventional headlights. As a consequence on a snowy night somewhere in New York or Pennsylvannia I discovered that my Lexan covers had iced over the HIDs. It was pitch dark and snowing so I hadn't realized I wasn't getting optimum light output.
See below the fold for a picture.
Not sure what's up with my pictures on this blog, but if you click on it you should get an unobstructed view.
I am looking for information on related on this and I find your post very interesting and informative.HID is no good on a winter weather.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. I haven't tried using HIDs with my cars your post made me think it over.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on where you live, and how much night driving someone does, I suppose. For my situation the positives of HIDs far out-weigh the negatives.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if headlight washers (stock on European 2004 R32s) would alleviate the problem of HIDs sometimes icing over.