RE: Underhood Pics
Login  | |
|
RE: Underhood Pics - 7/12/2007 1:45:31 PM
|
|
|
tmoody
Posts: 69
Joined: 7/10/2007
Status: offline
|
ok, going to move on these lights, however, does the $1049 "system" include everything needed to install or is that just for the lights and you have to also get some other install kits, wires, etc?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Underhood Pics - 7/13/2007 8:11:11 AM
|
|
|
jng1226
Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline
|
Bo,
I had no idea that the GT500 had so much potential. It sounds like its the US version of the Nissan Skyline with how much you can hop it up. I love the HP potential, but it seems to be let down by the suspension and chassis design. I mean no IRS - that is just a shame for $40K+
If I was into dyno pulls that would be one thing, but I like track days and a balanced approach to tuning. By the time I spent what I needed to spend to get the 700+ HP GT500 to be what I wanted, I probably could have a Ford GT. Just put high-flow cats and a full cat-back on a Ford GT and that would be just heaven, IMHO.
Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
RE: - 7/17/2007 6:55:11 AM
|
|
|
tmoody
Posts: 69
Joined: 7/10/2007
Status: offline
|
jeff, did you find any resolve to the potential issue of the DRL activating the HID's each time? i recall asking the sales guy if that could be disabled and he said no. i'm with you, however, if the DRL system could just be the amber markers or maybe even the fogs, that would be better than running the HID's all the time.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/17/2007 8:05:54 AM
|
|
|
jng1226
Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline
|
No, I haven't had the chance to ask Starr about the HIDs being tied to the DRLs and if that posed a problem. I see that you also owned a 350Z and probably read the same warning about the HIDs in the manual.
I figure Starr says to wire them this way in the instructions so I had my dealer install them accordingly so there would be no question should a warranty claim arise. I'll call them today and see what they say and report back.
Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
RE: - 7/17/2007 8:28:49 AM
|
|
|
tmoody
Posts: 69
Joined: 7/10/2007
Status: offline
|
yeah, Nissan put that in as a CYA, for their lamp systems because i think it was their first production car (at that time) that they put in the HID's. BMW always had their DRL systems tied into the halogen high beam lights, and they were adjusted to put out about 25% of their beam capacity. when they went to bi-xenon lights, the DRL system was optional and something the consumer could activate, or not, but the HID's would be on regardless. i'm not too worried about the longevity of the light itself if on all the time, but am worried about it cycling off and on thus potentially shorting the transformer. STARR's 3-year warranty notes they only cover defects in the product and i am pretty sure they would not classify this as a "defect" in their product. were the DRL's configured differently in pre-07 models? mine allows me to turn the knob switch over to turn off the DRL's if i don't want them on, but i have to do this every time i engage in "D". The dealer noted that there was mid-year model '07 "refresh" when they moved the window controls further up the arm bolsters, i don't know if the DRL systems were redone at this time as well. seems a lot of the h3's i see on the road have had the amber side marker lights on but no DRL's. maybe they're just turning the parking lights on, who knows?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/17/2007 8:40:05 AM
|
|
|
jng1226
Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline
|
My H3 is so new to me that I didn't even think about turning the lighting knob to off (it's been on Automatic since I picked it up) and see if the lights would come on. I will try that first and let you know. Thanks for the infor about the HIDs, makes sense. I still would argue that if the lights failed from constant cycling that would be a design defect but if you have to argue with a manufacturer...
Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/17/2007 4:51:09 PM
|
|
|
jng1226
Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline
|
tmoody - I just played with the OEM lighting switch for the first time, it had been in Automatic since i picked it up from the dealership. I didn't realize the "Off" button was momentary only and the normal default is Automatic. This means with the Starr HIDs connected to the factory wiring, it will always start up the HIDs (thinking they are the running lights) when the I let the clutch out in gear. In fact, sometimes I don't let the clutch out and the HIDs come on as soon as the car is started.
I haven't gotten a hold of Starr yet, we'll see what they say. For now, I'm going to leave them as they are but I don't like the idea of my $1,000 lights undergoing a power cycle 8-10 times a day as I drive around from one simple errand to another. I understand it takes a lot of voltage to light-off the arc, even though it takes very little to keep it going, so I'm with you about being afraid of the transformer going due to so many cycles. Hopefully they've factored this in to the design and component specs!
Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
RE: - 7/17/2007 8:27:56 PM
|
|
|
tmoody
Posts: 69
Joined: 7/10/2007
Status: offline
|
agreed....i've got the auto tranny so the lights activate "on" when i put in gear. pulling out of the garage they lights change from "on" to DRL intensity. when i start up, it's only the amber side markers initially. it's a beating, really, and maybe i'm making it more of an issue. clarence with g-style and i are playing phone and email tag, but i'm going to be posing the question to him as well hopefully gaining some insight. i'm not betting on hearing anything from STARR about this even though i've asked for clarification. would be interesting to know, as well, that when the lights go intp the "DRL mode" of the voltage is regulated at a lower amp to the HID's and/or if it makes any difference to the lights themselves. inherently, HID's, much like fluorescents in your home, don't require as much power to run so it may be of little consequence. i've got a call into the dealer service dept as well "confirming" that the DRL's can either be deactivated with the installation or modified to be the markers, fogs, etc instead. i've still holding my list of accessories in hope that i can parlay them with this STARR promo, but i'm using the time to the end of the month to make sure that i'm not going to be fighting the warranty later on due to this.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/17/2007 9:32:20 PM
|
|
|
mfish
Posts: 382
Joined: 4/9/2007
Status: offline
|
I have been following this thread because I really wanted HID's and since the H3 didnt have them I have considered these lights ( especially now with the $400 gift certificate deal ), but now I am somewhat hesitant. Definately you all are right that the constant turning on/off is very bad for the ballast and bulb, it will shorten the life so you are not making an issue, you have a 100% legitimate concern. Obviously STARR got something wrong in their wiring and they should be addressing it. I will not buy these if they come on with the DRL's.
You can turn off the DRL's ( unless you bought it in Canada...go Ducks ;) the switch is momentary but the lights should stay off...if my memory serves my correct ( I could be wrong, but I think I'm right )..anywho
I hope they get this straightened out for you guys, the lights are cool and I want some but if they turn on with the DRL's they wont last as long as they should.
_____________________________
06 H3; adventure & lux package; Gibson catback; readylift leveling kit; and some other stuff...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/18/2007 7:01:55 AM
|
|
|
jng1226
Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline
|
mfish - Yes, you can turn them off with the momentary off position. However, this is after they have already turned on so that is not really saving the "start-up" wear-and-tear we are all concerned about. Tmoody is doing the most research so I hope between the two of us we can get a definitive answer from Starr. I'm not sure how much Clarence at G-Style will be able to add without talking to them first. I didn't think to give him a call so I'll try him later today also.
Jeff
< Message edited by jng1226 -- 7/18/2007 7:03:28 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/26/2007 1:26:46 PM
|
|
|
tmoody
Posts: 69
Joined: 7/10/2007
Status: offline
|
jeff, bumping this thread as others may have subscribed pending talk of the DRL's. pulled the trigger on the order today and dealer service tech said they'd adjust a few of the wires transferring the DRL duties to the amber marker lights if i wanted. they didn't see any issue, however, as the output for the halogens, even at DRL levels, apparently was enough to run the HID full on. they said at this config, i could just turn off the DRL's "manually" as we discussed. this would be like running the HID lights on our "german" cars with the AUTO setting. at this setting, from start up, the lights power up and stay on for a few minutes in order to fully power up. turning them off at this point after they've "charged" has no adverse effect on the bulb or transformer. cycling off the lights, prematurely, is what will cause the transformer to potentially short.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: RE: - 7/26/2007 3:54:16 PM
|
|
|
mfish
Posts: 382
Joined: 4/9/2007
Status: offline
|
Since the 06's have the amber lights as the DRL's do you think the 06's will have this problem with the lights coming on with the DRL's? It's tempting to get these with the $450 gift...
_____________________________
06 H3; adventure & lux package; Gibson catback; readylift leveling kit; and some other stuff...
|
|
|
|
|
Printable Version
