Cheap (?) DOT HID aux lights (DIY content)

[rodekyll]

So I wanted to try HID.  After the other alternatives we've discussed here before, I decided to try doing it right -- getting HID projector lights on a Guzzi.



This is a random 3" projector from a wrecked BMW car.  Assuming it was hi/lo (this one is driving light only -- undimmable) it would work good and be free at most body shops.  There are hi/lo's out there -- this just isn't one.  2.5" projectors are smaller than this one and put out about the same light.

After researching what was out there, I went with DDM Tuning's V2 HID retrofit modules, which includes (x2) the projector housing and lens, a bulb, and a ballast.  Choices of ballast were 35 and 55w.  The same bulb works with either.  They have color choices.  I went with 4500k bulbs @55w.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/Proj-H1-V2-PR-MiniGG

They were on sale for ~$40/pr when I bought mine.

Now that I had the units, I needed housings.  After some searching, I found these on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171820311806?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

They're halogen bulbs in ~4" housings, but all I wanted was the housings.  At $20/pr I could live with gutting them.  They are ***EXACTLY*** the right diameter and length for the DDM projectors, provided you drill a hole in the back to help mount them.

I drilled through the back of the housings to accommodate the HID bulb and rear mounts.  Then, because I hates me all shiny objects, I powdercoated the steel shells black.  Assembly was straightforward.  I'm using some angle aluminum (not pictured but wait till morning) for brackets.




Although DDM offers prewired kits, I am plumbing mine into the harness, so I made the wire loom.




So there's a pair of 55w HID aux lights ~the size of Harley dresser aux lights for ~$75 in parts.  Junkyard the projectors and your cost will be half of that.   I'm not quite ready to light them up, but I'll update this when I do.

I'll get some pics of them mounted in the morning.

[Bill Havins]

Thanks for posting this.  Look forward to seeing your progress.

[charlie b]

I am too.  I like cheap :)

[canuguzzi]

That is very good work and effort. HID is much better than LED for most applications. The light thrown for illuminating at greater distances goes far beyond LEDs unless you pay big dollars.

Now, if you could get some of those moveable ones and rig the sensor for motorcycle turns...

[rodekyll]

Here's a crap shot of them mounted.  Keep in mind that the mounts aren't finished and the lights are not aimed.