Xenon headlight: operation, advantages and price

Xenon headlights appeared in 1991 on vehicles in the European and French markets via the BMW brand. But it took several years before these special bulbs found a place on all vehicles, and not just on the most expensive cars, even though this type of headlight remains quite expensive. Formerly called discharge lamps, xenon headlights are now as popular as LED bulbs. They are no longer reserved only for sports cars, and can now be found even on passenger vehicles.

But as is often the case with new technologies, you can hear all sorts of things about xenon headlights. In this article, we will try to shed some light on xenon lamps by sorting out fact from fiction. We will present how these bulbs work, their advantages, the rules to follow to install them, their maintenance, their price and much more—because you will even learn what to choose between xenon headlights and LED headlights according to your needs as a driver or for your vehicle. Follow the guide!

Xenon headlights: rules to follow

Do you want to install a H7 xenon bulb on your car? Let's start right away by addressing the sensitive question: no, xenon headlights are not banned in France or Europe. That said, their use is very strictly regulated, and you cannot install this type of light just any way you want on your car. You will need to take various precautions. In fact, the use of xenon gas in a headlight has only been around for about twenty years. These bulbs have many advantages for drivers because the lighting is 3 times more intense than with a standard bulb, and power consumption is much lower—35w compared to a standard halogen headlight's 55w.

And all this without even mentioning the headlight lifespan, which theoretically should last as long as your vehicle. For more information about the lifespan of different headlights, please read this article. But powerful lighting also means a risk of dazzling other drivers. That's why the presence of xenon bulbs is conditional upon having a stabilizer and also a headlight washer system. The stabilizer is a system that automatically adjusts the height of the lights according to how loaded the car is. In other words, even if the trunk is full, the lights will not shine too high. And the driver will not have any adjustment to make.

As for the headlight washer, it's a nozzle that sprays cleaning fluid with high pressure to automatically clean the optical blocks. The requirement for this system comes from the fact that xenon headlights cannot heat up as much as conventional headlights. In case of frost, the heat from these headlights is not enough. The headlight washer thus allows you to quickly regain much better visibility for safe driving on the road—even at night.

So, in Europe and France, equipment with xenon headlight systems can only be carried out if the installation kit is complete. It must consist of an assembly of approved headlights, an automatic range adjustment system for the headlights, and a headlight washer system.

The advantages and disadvantages of xenon headlights

Xenon headlights are a type of car headlight containing xenon gas inside. This gas allows the headlight to light up at a very high temperature produced by the ignition voltage electricity. Xenon lamps could be defined as plasma lamps designed and manufactured to withstand high temperatures and pressures. This type of headlight is integrated into vehicles' low beams, while conventional headlights are used for high beams.

However, some cars integrate xenon headlights for both low and high beams. This is called bi-xenon headlights. On one hand, xenon headlights consume less electricity than halogen headlights relative to their luminous output. In addition to offering greater lighting capacity (between double and triple that of a halogen bulb), they have greater durability (up to five times that of halogen headlights) and lower power consumption. If you choose for example a D1S xenon bulb, you will enjoy:

• more brightness: this makes the driver safer when driving at night because it increases reaction capacity to any unexpected event on the road;
• a longer lifespan: compared to a halogen bulb, xenon lamps last longer;
• reduced energy consumption: since they do not depend on filaments but rather on high-pressure gas inside, xenon headlights save energy compared to a halogen lamp.

But like any device, xenon headlights also have disadvantages such as:

• professional installation: to change classic lamps, just open the headlight and replace the bulb; but to change a xenon headlight you must go to a professional. These bulbs therefore cost more for drivers than classic bulbs;
• a risk of dazzling: given its luminous power, a xenon headlight can be dangerous for other road users in case of glare. That's why some manufacturers have solved this problem by offering an automatic height regulator, also called a stabilizer.

How xenon headlights work

Xenon headlights are discharge lamps characterized by great clarity, more power than traditional lamps and greater durability—in addition you can easily drive all the way with them. Inside the D3S xenon bulb and all other xenon bulbs as we will see, you can find mercury vapor and xenon.

The basic operation of xenon headlights is simple: lights come on thanks to an electric arc between two electrodes immersed in high-pressure xenon gas as well as mercury and other metallic salts. In other words, instead of filaments, the "conductor" is high-pressure gas that emits light when electric current passes through it. To turn it on, a high voltage pulse is necessary; specific accumulators may be required.

You may also have heard about bi-xenon headlights. These types of lights work both for low beam and high beam lights. "Normal" xenon headlights only work for low beams; another type of technology is needed for high beams. For more information about how Bi-xenon projectors and classic xenons work, read our article: Xenon or Bi-xenon Headlights: What's the Difference?

The xenon headlight consists of a discharge lamp, a xenon ballast coil, and a reflection/projection system. The term bi-xenon means that both low beam and high beam are achieved with a single projection module. This has the advantage of needing only one xenon ballast coil. In this way, two different types of light distribution are obtained with broad luminous flux and less mounting space required.

Thanks to use of a movable panel it is possible to switch—completely mechanically—between low beam distribution and high beam distribution. Thus apart from the panel actuation mechanism there is no need for additional cost for another headlight with its own regulation electronics. As high beams have greater range, side areas of the road are better lit with just one headlight.

Returning to how the xenon bulb operates: note that the ballast coil ignites the gas mixture in the lamp with a high-voltage pulse. This produces a spark between lamp electrodes. The coil regulates lamp ignition so that it quickly reaches its operating phase and also regulates lamp power. From vehicle's onboard network, a DC converter generates appropriate voltage for electronics and lamp. The bridge connection provides an alternating voltage at 300 Hz to power the xenon lamp.

Various control and safety circuits are integrated into the ballast choke coil. To protect electronic ballasts' coils, a counting circuit ensures that a defective lamp only ignites seven times; then it disconnects. If cable connector were unplugged during operation voltage connectors would be practically de-energized after 0.5 seconds—so there is no risk of electric shock with xenon headlights even if warning instructions are ignored.

Xenon Headlights: Possible Causes of Fault

A defective ballast coil can lead to total headlight failure. Causes of choke failure include:

• a power supply failure;
• a failed ground connection;
• faults in electronic circuitry;
• internal short circuits.

Xenon Headlights: Tips & Troubleshooting

If there is a failure check if ballast tries to ignite lamp when turning on light—the ignition attempts can be clearly heard near headlight. If attempts at ignition fail check or replace bulb with one from another headlight; if no attempts occur change fuse.

If fuse is OK check voltage supply and ground directly at choke—the voltage should reach at least 9 V. If supply voltage ground supply and xenon lamp are OK then cause of failure is defective ballast coil. In any case consult your mechanic if there’s a failure or defect when using your xenon headlights.

The differences between xenon headlights and LED headlights

To provide considerable lighting LED lamps reach high temperatures requiring an effective cooling system; this system regulates their temperature between around 50°C and 90°C at fan level compared with 120°C for halogen lamps and 200°C for xenon lamps at base level. A car LED bulb stands out by its high-quality aluminum body completed by cooling fan plus an emitting head equipped with specially selected LED chips according to headlight configuration; arranged at 360° for use on projector-type or vertically around central axis for chrome reflector-type these chips faithfully reproduce a powerful precise light beam in white color close to daylight.

Moreover, their emitted light is much more dispersed and dense than that from xenon lamps—a crucial feature in curves with low beams or fog but in high beams leads to slight loss of horizon vision; hence some experts favor using xenons rather than LEDs—though this point applies only when replacing OEM xenons with LEDs not when replacing halogens with LEDs which in this case far surpass both halogens AND xenons offering radically improved vision in range AND coverage.

LED lights can be replaced by xenons provided manufacturer or official dealer considers such change viable; likewise you can replace your existing OEM fitted xenons with LED units—for this you’ll need xenon-to-LED conversion kit. So what should you choose between LED lights versus Xenons? What are differences? These questions can have fairly complex answers.

LED headlights have low electrical consumption AND theoretically very long lifespan; plus their light output ranges from 5 000 K up to 6500K white—and it’s actually harder to dazzle another driver with LEDs than with Xenons. Today price difference between both technologies is minimal so deciding which lighting system comes down more to subjective than objective factors—that is each driver's perception of which technology offers better lighting may be decisive.

The level of LED headlight illumination is excellent immediate providing white light which also has advantage of being automatically regulated—in case of matrix LEDs (with diode array) intensity varies independently per group so dazzling others becomes very hard unlike Xenons where it's easier; conversely Xenons concentrate light further giving more depth while LEDs distribute it wider offering greater field-of-view width.

Both options are perfect for safe driving so choice depends mainly on personal preference; while LED emits instant very white light Xenons focus more giving extra depth—you can try both solutions at workshop before deciding which fits your perception best.

Xenon Headlight Maintenance

Xenons produce white light that's less tiring on eyes—and it's worth noting these look much better than classic halogens too! Your vehicle's lights are essential for safe driving so make sure you know all about installing & maintaining them before converting over.

Xenon is an element in periodic table (symbol Xe) with many uses from anesthesia through lighting; car Xenons are made from this element hence they're called discharge bulbs—when current passes through gas it produces characteristic bright white light.

Xenons provide much sharper brighter visibility—especially useful if you drive at night—but be careful these must always be properly adjusted & maintained otherwise improperly set-up ones may dazzle other drivers!

Xenon Light Installation & Replacement

If you don't want to see your mechanic note installing Xenons yourself isn't hard but does require care—you'll need all materials plus gloves; checking function after install will be critical step!

Installing Xenons in car is very simple but requires caution—follow instructions! Prepare all tools needed remove old lights insert new bulb housing—be careful not to touch new bulb during installation!

Follow instructions install all wiring carefully—reading kit manual tells you where each cable goes & connects; afterwards check lights work & turn on—test them carefully consecutively if errors occur!

These lights are very powerful so incorrect adjustment can dazzle others—you must get approval before using them on roads otherwise you'll risk fines & other legal consequences (eg accident)! Non-approved units mean fines + legal issues depending on circumstances!

Xenon Bulb Maintenance

The service life of Xenons far exceeds other automotive bulbs; though there's no urgent need it's important over time to monitor performance & consider replacement as needed! Know that Xenons lose performance over years: after 5 years their efficiency drops each year—if yours don't shine as brightly anymore they may be worn out! After 5 years Xenons weaken gradually—so replace regularly—or else polish/restore lenses for brightness! Many mistakenly blame bulbs but unpolished lenses also reduce visibility—as time passes lenses grow opaque micro-scratches harming output fast—so restore lenses minimum every two years! Use specialized kits or professional service—we offer polymerization restoration kits online—a revolutionary technique!

The Price of Xenon Headlights

You can buy Xenons online from specialist stores—or from auto parts dealers though choice may be less wide than dedicated sites; prices vary by model—from 100 up to 600 euros per unit! So double that if fitting both sides at front!

However add cost for stabilizer unit washer units & labor since installation must be done in auto workshop! So investment can get quite expensive—you must double total amount too! All told if going through mechanic (highly recommended) switching from standard halogens up to Xenons could reach €1,000! In other words think carefully about purpose before proceeding—you'll spend between €300–1,000 on average!

No matter what though Xenons have enjoyed great success among drivers over many years—even since arrival of LED bulbs! When buying car they let you customize lighting style & power—but remember maintenance & adjustment remain essential if you want safe driving & avoid fines during police checks!