Motavar
New member
NOTE:
This thread is for the Spyder RS/GS.
The Spyder RT may have different bulb sizes so use caution.
HIDS:
For those that do not know HIDs are "High-intensity discharge lamps". Those white/blue looking lights you see on most luxury vehicles on the road. The new generation of HIDs are 35w and powered by digital ballasts or slim-line digital ballasts. The RS was basically made for HIDs due to the lens and the high-beam shutter mechanism.
Most cars use HID colors that are 4100-4300K (k=kelvin color range). If you want to match the colors seen on an Acura/BMW/Mercedes etc you can go with 5K bulbs which are a crisp white color. 6k's get into a more blueish tint which starts to reduce visibility.
HID color chart:
3000k is yellow (use these for fogs)
4100-4300 looks like a normal car light bulb (best visibility)
5k = is white (what you see on most luxury cars)
6k = is blueish (visibility starts to drop. May be illegal in some states)
8k+ anything above this starts to go purple/pink/ etc..
Cost / Where to Purchase:
You can pick up HIDs for about $35-43 on ebay from different vendors.
You can also pick up HID kits from various vendors on this forum.
For example I went with this guy (not affiliated with him) on ebay who sold xentec kits.
http://myworld.ebay.com/orangemika/
I went with the slim digital ballasts. The ballasts are a few $ more but smaller in size which makes for mounting on the RS easier.
Here is the actual auction I used.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270448157771&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:US:1123
How To Order:
When you order HIDs on ebay you can ask for for any size bulb and color.
When I did my order I told the vendor I have an 09 BRP can-am spyder.
My main headlights are H7's
Fog lights are H8's
Here is what I put into my notes when ordering:
Can you please change order and update price for the following items:
(1) Slim HID kit for Bulb: H7 Color: 5000k : 12 volt
+
(1) Slim HID kit for Bulb H8 color: 5000k , 12 volt
UPDATE: 1/29/11
You can read through this thread or here is a quick summary:
* Warning: Replacing your headlights with HIDs will take some time.
You will need to study the spyder to figure out how to remove the top to access the headlights.
THIS IS NOT A RUSH JOB. Make sure you allocate a few hours to do this right.
You will need to be creative on how to mount the HID ballasts to the frame.
* When installing HIDs in your headlights be careful of the metal bracket and study it a bit to figure out how to attach the light to it.
* The bar that is on the actual light should be facing down. The light will still work correctly no matter what direction the bar is facing but it may cast a shadow if the bar is facing up.
* Never touch your HID light bulbs. If you do make sure you clean them with alcohol to remove oils.
* Besides 35w kits.. 55w HIDs are also available from vendors and will produce as much light as your high beams. So far there have been no reports of heat or wiring issues with the 55w versions.
* If you run HID fog lights you may encounter VSS issues when you start the Spyder.
You may encounter a VSS fault and engine shutoff if you power up the HIDs while driving.
The cause could be the inital draw on the power system when the HID fires (20amp?) and poor relays/weak power source.
I would suggest the following if you run HID fog lights:
- HID relay harness so the fog HIDs pull power directly from the battery.
- Replace your stock relays.
- Put a 470uf or 4700uf 35v capacitor on the power lead to the battery from the HID relay harness. This will buffer the initial power draw for the light when starting.
-Motavar
This thread is for the Spyder RS/GS.
The Spyder RT may have different bulb sizes so use caution.
HIDS:
For those that do not know HIDs are "High-intensity discharge lamps". Those white/blue looking lights you see on most luxury vehicles on the road. The new generation of HIDs are 35w and powered by digital ballasts or slim-line digital ballasts. The RS was basically made for HIDs due to the lens and the high-beam shutter mechanism.
Most cars use HID colors that are 4100-4300K (k=kelvin color range). If you want to match the colors seen on an Acura/BMW/Mercedes etc you can go with 5K bulbs which are a crisp white color. 6k's get into a more blueish tint which starts to reduce visibility.
HID color chart:
3000k is yellow (use these for fogs)
4100-4300 looks like a normal car light bulb (best visibility)
5k = is white (what you see on most luxury cars)
6k = is blueish (visibility starts to drop. May be illegal in some states)
8k+ anything above this starts to go purple/pink/ etc..
Cost / Where to Purchase:
You can pick up HIDs for about $35-43 on ebay from different vendors.
You can also pick up HID kits from various vendors on this forum.
For example I went with this guy (not affiliated with him) on ebay who sold xentec kits.
http://myworld.ebay.com/orangemika/
I went with the slim digital ballasts. The ballasts are a few $ more but smaller in size which makes for mounting on the RS easier.
Here is the actual auction I used.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270448157771&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:US:1123
How To Order:
When you order HIDs on ebay you can ask for for any size bulb and color.
When I did my order I told the vendor I have an 09 BRP can-am spyder.
My main headlights are H7's
Fog lights are H8's
Here is what I put into my notes when ordering:
Can you please change order and update price for the following items:
(1) Slim HID kit for Bulb: H7 Color: 5000k : 12 volt
+
(1) Slim HID kit for Bulb H8 color: 5000k , 12 volt
UPDATE: 1/29/11
You can read through this thread or here is a quick summary:
* Warning: Replacing your headlights with HIDs will take some time.
You will need to study the spyder to figure out how to remove the top to access the headlights.
THIS IS NOT A RUSH JOB. Make sure you allocate a few hours to do this right.
You will need to be creative on how to mount the HID ballasts to the frame.
* When installing HIDs in your headlights be careful of the metal bracket and study it a bit to figure out how to attach the light to it.
* The bar that is on the actual light should be facing down. The light will still work correctly no matter what direction the bar is facing but it may cast a shadow if the bar is facing up.
* Never touch your HID light bulbs. If you do make sure you clean them with alcohol to remove oils.
* Besides 35w kits.. 55w HIDs are also available from vendors and will produce as much light as your high beams. So far there have been no reports of heat or wiring issues with the 55w versions.
* If you run HID fog lights you may encounter VSS issues when you start the Spyder.
You may encounter a VSS fault and engine shutoff if you power up the HIDs while driving.
The cause could be the inital draw on the power system when the HID fires (20amp?) and poor relays/weak power source.
I would suggest the following if you run HID fog lights:
- HID relay harness so the fog HIDs pull power directly from the battery.
- Replace your stock relays.
- Put a 470uf or 4700uf 35v capacitor on the power lead to the battery from the HID relay harness. This will buffer the initial power draw for the light when starting.
-Motavar
Last edited:
Thanks for the offer of taking pictures though.
hyea:
