Baking Headlights remove black frame

[rastaFarai]

I think I know what you mean, it's still stuck to the corners if that's what you are talking about. I didnt want to break it... but it's all there. I got the AEs as well - so about to hook them up. The instructions suggest to keep the ballaast in the headlight assembly - any thoughts on that? Also I'd like to keep them on at all times - I have to run it to the battery or something? What have some of you done with them? I'll also test them when i get home before putting them in.

Originally Posted by cj10jeeper

Silver is looking good

BTW - when you cut out the amber corners did you keep a small (3") long lower silver lower 'eyebrow'. I think it adds to it if you recall where it was originally and then araldite it to the siver turn signal lens. Take care of the silver it will come off even if you rub it with a coarse cloth

[cj10jeeper]

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

I think I know what you mean, it's still stuck to the corners if that's what you are talking about. I didnt want to break it... but it's all there. I got the AEs as well - so about to hook them up. The instructions suggest to keep the ballaast in the headlight assembly - any thoughts on that? Also I'd like to keep them on at all times - I have to run it to the battery or something? What have some of you done with them? I'll also test them when i get home before putting them in.

Hi,

Getting near to finished now....

OK you can test assemble the kit on the bench and hook it up to a 12v battery to test it. This is a good way to see what goes where.

I actually kept the inverters outside of the headlamps and bonded them to a flat surface on the headlight. My logic was that the CCFL are guaranteed for like 20,000 or 50,000 hours but not the inverters and it keeps them out of the heat. If anything went wrong I could easily fit another inverter just by lifting the hood.

In the UK our headlights have small bulbs in the inner lights (really intended as markers when parking in the dark, but largely obsolete) so I substituted the wiring on those for the AE. I think you have to do something different connecting to running lights or fog lights so cannot advise.

Good luck

[zerochief]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

Definitely a spotlight - both point straight out in front to one point. Great for seeing the road directly in front of you...

I love my bat spots! They really light up a dark road!

[rastaFarai]

so i'm running the AEs on the headlight that i've just painted, using epoxy etc, everything that i've read so far, but got to thinking, where do i run the wires out of the assembly? drill holes etc? advice pls!!!! for the lows and highs - any ideas.. i dunno if it's just me but i think there needs to be a full write up on what to do for this stuff, from the min u bake or blow dry your headlight assemblies :-)

[zerochief]

I drilled a hole and found some great grommets at OSH. They angle downward 90 degrees (similar to the breather oem breather tubes). Then I sealed them with RTV silicone. I also snugged up a zip tie around the lengthy grommet, so that there is some stain relief on the wires. The connection to the rings is quite delicate, as you know. If I need to remove the headlights or work in that area of the vehicle in the future, I wanted to make sure those wires don't get accidently tugged. The way mine are now, you could hang the headlight assembly from the AE leads, but I'm not going to try it!

Many others have just cut a slit in the existing large rubber seal, fed the wires through and filled the cut with RTV - but no strain relief doing it that way.

[rastaFarai]

Sounds like another trip to the auto parts store! I think I'll do the drilling and the grommets, no rush because it's my second set light assembly, and i need to get something for one of hte headlights to hold the xenon ballast and the cover for the xenon bulb area (that the ballast gromet attaches to) - BMW said i would have to pre order, so still have some time. moving back to NYC permenantly second week in feb so would like ot get it done while i'm still in the warmth!

All i need now is the wiring harness, I believe one of the members here sold some..

[cj10jeeper]

I did similar to Zerochief, making specific holes, not simply forcing them out of an existing connection. All sealed up with black RTV

BTW- I'm not sure if you are keeping the lenses as I chose to. If you do don't forget to notch the housing (now silver on yours...) See my earleir photo. this allows the lenses to sit flush and not pinch the AE wires.

[jbimmer24]

C U in NYC

[rastaFarai]

Yup!! Back to NY - a lot of ppl on this board in NY too.. should have a meet..

HALOS WORK:


FINAL PRODUCT (almost.. next picture explains whats missing)


NEED THE HELLA XENON LIGHT COVER, AND THE BRACKET FOR THE BALLASTS (DRIVER'S SIDE IF ANYONE HAS SPARES)

[cj10jeeper]

Hey - they are looking really good - great job.

I could offer you the spares you need but, being in the UK shipping is impractical. You should find them locally easy enough. The mounting bracket is a standard BMW part for a few $'s