V50 General : Euro Bi-Xenon Headlight Conversion to UK road use

[jasonb]

Yes and no, I plugged them in to see what is required to make them work.
Same connector block as the standard halogen lights but there is one extra pinout.

As for the dipped beams, I'll connect up my existing HID kit (35W Ballasts) and use the adapter cable for D2S to aftermarket HID that I purchased.
The only wiring anomaly thus far is the 4 pin cable that powers the D2S and self-levelling components.
I've read that the H7 (I think it's H7) feed can connect to the self levelling units and will drive the adjustment solenoid/flap while the main power source for the dipped beams will just require a new cable connector (female spade) ......simples!
The self-levelling unit is 2-wire, not 3 so this should work fine.

I will re-wire this week and test it!
There is a US forum (mostly for the S40 - same model as yours) which details all of this.
Secondly, they are really big on installing the BMW E46 projectors straight in to the existing mounting points on our headlights :-)
I have to check whether they are using the face-lift headlights or the same as yours....but I'm mentioning this purely as an alternative for you!
I'll dig out the links and you can read and come to your own conclusion.

The biggest issue to date has been the light-out warning on the dash but the latest Canbus compliant HID kits are over-coming these challenges!

Watch this space and I'll post a working unit hopefully :-)
P.S. Volvo like to dissuade us from doing such things as there is perhaps no official Volvo upgrade path for our desires!

[Jonnieb2009]

Thanks JB

Volvo don't make these projects viable do they?

Well done on the bulbs, thats really good value - yet again!

I hope you crack it as I could be following suit.

Wonder what the extra pin-out is for (self levelling power?) There must be some info somewhere. I will take a look at the US Volvo forum and see what they are doing with the Halos- swedespeed might be worth a look at too.

Cheers
J

[jasonb]

Here you go:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...moto-5000K-35W

And...
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/ind...6a38031fe5adde

[Jonnieb2009]

Heres a few extracts from my Haynes manual showing the Bi-xenon wiring

[Jonnieb2009]

And some pics for the headlights for standard halogen and Bi-xenon.
the previous pics say they are for the self levelling.

Looks a bit too complicated for me.

[Jonnieb2009]

Those chaps like tinkering with their projectors, some amzing info.

I like to tinker but not that much! How do the halos fix to the lens, glue or will it get too hot? Can you fit the halos without removing the front and breaking the seals?

J

[Jonnieb2009]

JB
There is a height sensor as well which communicates with the headlamps.
Here is an article from Haynes regarding the bi-xenon units. Looks far too complicated for me. (see pics).



I think the lights are virtually there regarding legality. The only thing is the self levelling (this can be achieved with suspension). This is what I found

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

[jasonb]

The Haynes manual looks an awful lot like Vadis!

In theory then the installation should be legal.
Point 2 is kind of there in all honesty, the self levelling feature should work only upon main beam activation.
I guess the self levelling device will not work under any other conditions.
Is this a problem, I really don't know "legally" speaking but in reality, I would be happy.

[Jonnieb2009]

My only concer was that if for some reason you had a bump, the insurance company will obviously try to wriggle out of any claim. Having proper Volvo bi-xenon lights would be favourable but would they say anything about the self levelling, I dont know?

[jasonb]

Jonnie,
just talking aloud for a second, see if you agree or object:-

When was the last time an insurance assessor/loss adjuster went to all this trouble?

If the installation is neat and as "proper" as you can make it using wire conduit and hiding the ballasts etc. then why would the insurance assessor even consider such a tiny detail?

After all, the self levelling device will work but not utilise the suspension aspect. The legalities state that self levelling should be achieved either from the lamps or the suspension, are we not falling in to the category of the lamps performing the requirements?

It is not my intention to blind/dazzle or cause concerns for other road users.
I will ensure the beam pattern is adjust sufficiently which is an MOT requirement!
As for the main beam, lets face it, we only use the main beam for two purposes - flashing other traffic or for unlit / dark roads where other motorists are not present.

The risks are the crest of a hill where the beam will always blind any motorist, xenon, halogen or anything else!

I took a look at the wiring last night and I need to do some diagnostics before I start cutting and splicing wires.