question about HID lights

[ec30_06]

I am thinking about converting my hella rallye 4000 lights with 100w halogen bulbs to an HID system. These lights are on a boat and I often times drive through fog. For those of you that Run HID's in other applications what do you think the best color range would be? I am thinking 3000k because of the frequent fog. These are my only lights for navigating. Will the 3000k still work well when it is not foggy? Also since this is an off road application I was thinking about going with 55w instead of 35w bulbs. Any other things I should keep in mind before converting.

[deadeye]

It sounds like you pretty much got it figured out. The lower k lights will be perfect IMO. They will really cut through the fog. They do decent in the regular stuff too but if you want a compromise the ones that are 5-6k would be decent. Good solid white light. When you start getting into the blues they dont give you great visibility around water.

I have helped do a couple conversions on cars and they have gone pretty smooth. Its crazy that for like 50-60$ you can get such a big upgrade. I don't think they work 100% without having a projector lens BUT they put out so much more light its crazy. It would be the perfect thing for a boat.

[Scott K]

Ed, I was looking at a set of 4000s in HID, they look about right. The 3000 looked rather bluish, and I would think water ripples wouldnt light up as well.

[Loose]

Mine are 4300k, they are not so good in the fog

[Scott K]

Us prop people need to drive slow at night, regardless if it is foggy or not.

[hondavxr]

Actually if you want the brightest white light output closest to the suns rays, its around the 4000k. Any higher Kelvins you will be getting a more yellow light. Yellow light will drive through the fog better than white but wont be as bright as white in night time conditions. If you look around you will realize that kits 4000k kits are rare and higher K kits are plentiful. Keep in mind that the more Kelvins does not mean a brighter light.

[broken_line]

we have 6 4200ks with projector lenses on our plow tractor and can EASILY! see a good half a mile of feild. you may want to put a small halogen bulb in the middle incase you come upon someone at night. because they are insanely bright! kind of like looking at the sun on a cyrstall clear day. even worse if your eyes are used to being pitch black.

[ec30_06]

thanks for the replies. I will go with a yellow to help cut through the fog

[DTro]

I know you have the housing and everything already, but you can get a decent 9" HID w/enclosed ballast for about $109/ea at hidfoglight.

[LightningBG]

Ed, I was looking at a set of 4000s in HID, they look about right. The 3000 looked rather bluish, and I would think water ripples wouldnt light up as well.

The higher the number the more blue they look.