Fog Lights?

[05boni]

I just noticed no one else has went with the 55w fog lights, but that is what ddm suggested. Looks like I will be the test dummy. I hope it wasn't just a sales pitch because it cost 25$ more.

[repinS]

Read this before you proceed with your low beam HID kit, specifically the Plug and Play HID kit section: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 22004.html

I went with 35W fogs. They're still brighter than the 55W H3 halogens, and I suspect that running a 55W HID setup in the H3 projector will exceed the capabilities of the stock projector, creating glare.

[05boni]

DDM checked the specs on the car and said it will not exceed and recommended the 55w. What will I have glare on? Fog lights are aimed pretty low so I don't think glare off of road signs will b a problem. I'm an electrician and I install a lot of outdoor HID lights but this is a first for auto HIDs. I did read ur articles so what are u running for fogs and low beams?

[CMNTMXR57]

That's why you go with 100w H3's. :p

[repinS]

DDM checked the specs on the car and said it will not exceed and recommended the 55w. What will I have glare on? Fog lights are aimed pretty low so I don't think glare off of road signs will b a problem. I'm an electrician and I install a lot of outdoor HID lights but this is a first for auto HIDs. I did read ur articles so what are u running for fogs and low beams?

It's not the aim, but rather the limitations of what the projector lens can handle, which will cause glare. I can't say for sure, it's definitely conjecture at this point, as I run a 35W (3000K) system on my fogs. Even then, they are considerably brighter than the stock H3 55W halogen bulb.

For low beams, I have done a full projector swap with the Morimoto Mini retrofit kit from The Retrofit Source. It was a lot of work, but I am 100% glare free and I have actually improved headlight performance. Simple plug and play HID kits in your low beam slot will be "brighter", but this is misleading as the extra light is scattered. This blinds oncoming traffic and reduces visibility, especially in inclement weather. I hadn't seen a 2000+ in the wild that had plug and play HID's until recently, when I was blinded by a 2000+ SE. Lots of people suggest to aim your lights down - but then you're defeating the purpose of a lighting upgrade. You're light the road only with nasty glare, you're messing up your eyes in terms of long distance night vision with a big blob of light at right in front of your bumper, and you're still going to blind oncoming traffic to an extent. Lose lose lose situation.

[05boni]

DDM checked the specs on the car and said it will not exceed and recommended the 55w. What will I have glare on? Fog lights are aimed pretty low so I don't think glare off of road signs will b a problem. I'm an electrician and I install a lot of outdoor HID lights but this is a first for auto HIDs. I did read ur articles so what are u running for fogs and low beams?

It's not the aim, but rather the limitations of what the projector lens can handle, which will cause glare. I can't say for sure, it's definitely conjecture at this point, as I run a 35W (3000K) system on my fogs. Even then, they are considerably brighter than the stock H3 55W halogen bulb.

For low beams, I have done a full projector swap with the Morimoto Mini retrofit kit from The Retrofit Source. It was a lot of work, but I am 100% glare free and I have actually improved headlight performance. Simple plug and play HID kits in your low beam slot will be "brighter", but this is misleading as the extra light is scattered. This blinds oncoming traffic and reduces visibility, especially in inclement weather. I hadn't seen a 2000+ in the wild that had plug and play HID's until recently, when I was blinded by a 2000+ SE. Lots of people suggest to aim your lights down - but then you're defeating the purpose of a lighting upgrade. You're light the road only with nasty glare, you're messing up your eyes in terms of long distance night vision with a big blob of light at right in front of your bumper, and you're still going to blind oncoming traffic to an extent. Lose lose lose situation.

Will u post some pics?

[repinS]

Look here: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 26032.html
and here: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 25703.html

[05boni]

Thanks for the pics . I will just have to see how bad mine turn out and then decide if I want to spend the extra dough to get the rest of the kit.

[05boni]

Has anyone tried Led fog and or low beams? If so what are the pros and cons

[00Beast]

I don't think LED's would function well in the projector, and I'm not well-informed on the light output versus halogens.

[05boni]

In my line of work LEDs are the next big thing. They put out a ton if light with very small amount of power use. I just haven't heard much about LED head lights.

[2003 SSEi]

Most of the European Manufactures are using LED's for Headlights. Audi and Mercedes to name a few. The problem is that they are specifically designed housings made for the LED.

There is no LED plug and play that will provide sufficient lighting

[repinS]

The 2013 Honda Accord is doing this as well in the upper trim levels. I wouldn't be surprised is somebody somewhere has ordered a set and is hacking it up to adapt to other cars. That's the only approach I can think of!

[CMNTMXR57]

The problem with LED's is that they are a very focused light. Tighter then say a pencil beam regular light. SO in order to add the sufficient level of outword visibility, you either need a massive LED, or a ton of them (as evidenced on so many cars now that have them as running lighting). And I don't know how that would work in the projector style housing of the fog lights on this car, as previously mentioned.

I predicted LED lighting back when I was a kid in the 80's. I don't know why it's taken so long for adaptation. I even remember dreaming of my own car, designed with LED lighting all around... Look how that has come to fruitition...

[nos4blood70]

I predicted LED lighting back when I was a kid in the 80's. I don't know why it's taken so long for adaptation. I even remember dreaming of my own car, designed with LED lighting all around... Look how that has come to fruitition...

Argue them to give you your cut!

[05boni]

Do I need to aim my headlights down a little after HID install?

[05boni]

Looks like my fog and head light issue is taken care of, thanks guys now on to my next problem. Which will be low coolant sensor and irratic gas gauge.

[repinS]

as I said previously with regards to the low beams:

Lots of people suggest to aim your lights down - but then you're defeating the purpose of a lighting upgrade. You're light the road only with nasty glare, you're messing up your eyes in terms of long distance night vision with a big blob of light at right in front of your bumper, and you're still going to blind oncoming traffic to an extent. Lose lose lose situation.

It's your call if you want to aim them down. You will have issues regardless.

[2000Silverbullet]

I'm really impressed with the projector fog light on the Torrent.
Much better than the Bonneville's with Silverstars.

[CMNTMXR57]

So Saturday, I'm leaving the small engine place here in Elgin that I ordered some parts at. Pull out on Larkin Ave. happen to pull out in front of a... Bonneville GXP in Greystone Metallic. For some reason, at 11:30am, on a bright sunny day, the driver had the fog lights on. And you'll never guess what... One of them was out. LOL.

Some little old lady too, as she went past me in the right turn lane.