why are my HIDs different colors?

I just changed my bulbs to 4.3k in both my headlights and fog lights with Morimoto bulbs. The headlights are a white with yellow hue but the fogs are pretty blue. they look like 6k.

The only things I can think of is 1) the headlights are projectors and 2) they are using different ballasts. the headlights use morimoto 35w ballasts and the fogs use xentec 35w ballasts.

I'm trying to get them to match. I was going to order new morimoto ballasts for the fogs and try that first. Then try new and or different bulbs. Maybe 5k and maybe just in the headlights to match how the fogs are now.

Any advice or input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sounds like you probably have it figured out

 

Lol. I wish I did. Id rather get some input from people who may have had this Issue.. before I start spending more money.

 

Maybe call the people who sold them to you. Maybe they sent you a wrong kelvin bulbs?

 

the bulbs should have been maeked, mine were from the retro fit source

 

I sent an email back to Matt at TRS asking what he thought. I checked the box and they say 4.3k.. but who knows. maybe there was a mix up. I mean, even if it was due to the projector vs reflector difference, it couldn't be THAT off right? Lol. Cuz those fogs look really blue.

 

You are kind of on the right track. Projectors aim the light in a certain direction which concentrates the light more than a reflector that simply reflects the light from a source. Simple terms more light is sent in one direction with projectors and sent everywhere with reflectors. That is why hid's in most reflectors are illegal. Unless they are two different colored bulbs, it is probably a result of light being scattered more with the reflectors.

 

there is a possibility that it's the different ballasts and maybe different bulbs, but i had the same effect whether i had colored halogens or hids. i'm assuming that it's the projector vs reflector issue though.

 

there is a possibility that it's the different ballasts and maybe different bulbs, but i had the same effect whether i had colored halogens or hids. i'm assuming that it's the projector vs reflector issue though.

 

Thanks guys.. I was just trying to think of every possibility. The fogs flicker too,.so I'm gonna get new ballasts regardless. The flickering stopped in my headlights when I switched to the Morimoto ballasts.

It has to be that the bulbs arent 4.3 then right? Even with the reflector.. they shouldnt be that off. they are nowhere near 4.3. Lol

 

Can you swap the wiring around switching the fog ballasts to run the headlights and see if the color follows?

 

Yeah. They are stock. I had 6k bulbs in both the headlights and fogs before I made this switch.. and these 4.3ks look identical to the 6k ones i had.. so I want to think they are the wrong bulbs.. but I also doubt it.. :/ I may have to just try some different bulbs or something. still waiting for a reply from TRS.

Patrick, do you have any pics of your fogs? Don't you have 4.3's or 5's in yours? Just for comparison.

 

I'm an idiot. Lol. Didnt even think about that! I'll try that tonight. It would rule out if I needed new ballasts for both the color and flickering..

So if I swap them, and they look like 4.3.. it would be the ballasts obviously.. if they didnt change color.. it would mean its either the projector vs reflector thing.. or the bulbs themselves.

Right?

 

That would be my take on it(not the idiot part), just wasn't sure if both ballast plugs were the same to allow for that test.

 

Lol. Yeah they are both AMP style plugs. will be a quick and easy test.. if it doesnt work than I will probably just go with 5k bulbs for the headkghts and try and get them as close as possible.. I may return the fogs too for either another set of 4.3's or 5k.. mayhem they were wrong. Idk.

 

i have the xentec 5k bulbs in my fogs, and they are definately blue... more then i would have wanted... thinking about buying new bulbs like the 4300k
i'm guessing that the fogs you have are 5k from them as well. i think a bulb switch will fix you up.

do you like the output of the 4300k?

 

Well I'm wanting to switch to 5k for more of a white. The 4.3k in the headlights is pretty decent.. a lot better than my other set up.. i just want more white.

 

the 5000k are kinda blue.... why isnt there something close to the light output as say... silverstar ultras?