Clinton Twp., MI -- May 25, 1999 -- XenBeams (pronounced Zeen Beams) announced today they will offer HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps that replace the 7 inch round sealed beam headlamps found on many off road vehicles (such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Bronco, for example).  The latest HID technology offers approximately twice the light output of a halogen light source while consuming about 33% less power.

Halogen headlamps are often insufficient on the trail, which is why so many off road enthusiasts add auxiliary lighting to their vehicle.  That need is eliminated if XenBeams are used.  The side spread and intensity of the light is greatly increased, and the color temperature of the output is closer to "daylight" when compared to halogen lamps. This increase in performance is accomplished by creating an arc between two electrodes in an environment of various salts and gasses (including Xenon).  Since the light is generated without a filament, XenBeams are also very resistant to shock.  They also have been proven to provide at least double the service life of a halogen lamp – "The HID headlamps packaged in the 1999 GMC Envoy have been validated to over 4000 hours.  They have been tested on vehicles in Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Detroit.  They have been designed for the life of the vehicle: 10 years or 150,000 miles."  (General Motors HID headlamp engineer).

1. Are XenBeams legal?
2. How much do XenBeams cost?
3. Will XenBeams fit my vehicle?
4. What modifications do I have to do to my vehicle?
5. What are the advantages of Xenon Light?
6. Why was Xenon Light developed?
7. Why does a Xenon bulb produce blue light?
8. Why does Xenon Light sometimes appear to irritate oncoming drivers?
9. Why is Xenon Light so expensive?
10. If your vehicle is equipped with Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)

2 How much do XenBeams cost?
The complete XenBeams kit costs $995.00 (plus 6% sales tax for  Michigan customers).  It includes a pair of HID headlamps (assembled), ballast mounting hardware, wiring harness (with fuses), and installation instructions. 

3 Will XenBeams fit my vehicle?
There are replacement kits available for the 7" round, 5.75" round, 200 mm rectangular, and 165 mm recangular glass sealed beam lamps.  A reference is listed below: 
 

4 What modifications do I have to do to my vehicle?
XenBeams will fit in your existing headlamp pockets.  On some vehicles it may be necessary to modify the pockets to allow clearance to the back of the lamp housing.  Mounting the ballasts requires drilling a pair of 5/16" holes (for each ballast) on a flat surface that is no more than 300 mm (about 12 inches) from the back of the lamp.
Wiring... NO WIRING MODIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY unless your vehicle uses the existing low beams for Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs).  The XenBeams wiring harness uses your existing headlamp wiring only as a signal to drive a relay.  The relay safely draws current directly from the battery (a fuse for each lamp is included).  If your existing headlamp connector is badly corroded, the kit comes with a new one to limit the voltage drop across the terminal interface.
IF YOU HAVE LOW BEAM DRLs, you will have to disable this function on your vehicle.  If you live in Canada, you are required to have DRLs.  Some car manufactures use low beams at half power for DRLs.  This is a problem for XenBeams.  You may either modify your wiring to turn on XenBeams when the vehicle is running OR add an auxiliary set of halogen lamps to function as DRLs.  HID bulbs are not designed to run at half power (neither is the ballast).

5 What are the advantages of Xenon Light?
The xenon bulb provides more than twice the amount of light of a halogen bulb, while only consuming half the power (wattage). Therefore, the driver can see more clearly, and the car has more power for other functions. The clear white light produced by the xenon bulb is similar to daylight. Research has shown that this enables drivers to concentrate better. Furthermore, this particular light color reflects the road markings and signs better that conventional lighting. The xenon bulb also delivers a marked contribution to road safety in the event of limited visibility due to weather conditions. In practical terms, the life span of the bulb is equal to that of the car, which means that the bulb need only be replaced in exceptional cases. 
(Philips) 

6 Why was Xenon Light developed?
In the past decade, car manufacturers have made cars safer and more comfortable by the introduction of A.B.S., air bags, air conditioning, etc. No less that 60% of all traffic accidents take place in poorly lit conditions. Therefore, lighting greatly contributes to road safety and comfort. It is a fact that the elderly require more light than the young (a person aged 60 requires up to ten times more light than a twenty year old). Due to the strong increase of the aging population and the fact that the elderly wish to remain mobile, we have seen an increase in the number of elderly motorists, who require more light to drive safely. (Philips) 

7 Why does a Xenon bulb produce blue light?
The light produced by a Xenon bulb is in fact not blue but white, falling well within the chromaticity boundaries for white light. The light only appears blue in comparison to the warmer (yellower) light produced by halogen. It clearly appears white in comparison to daylight. (Philips) 

8 Why does Xenon Light sometimes appear to irritate oncoming drivers?
In normal circumstances drivers look straight ahead, however, due to the conspicuous color of Xenon Light, drivers are more inclined to look into the headlamps. The same phenomenon was experienced during the introduction of halogen headlamps in the Sixties. In those days people also spoke of 'that irritating white light'. The introduction of Xenon headlamps will therefore entail a period where everybody will become an accustomation period similar to those experienced during the introduction of halogen headlamps, a third brake light and the transition from yellow to white headlamps in France. (Philips) 

9 Why is Xenon Light so expensive?
Xenon lighting is not simply a question of a new type of bulb, but a whole new system consisting of: A highly complex and hi-tech bulb, manufactured according to the highest standards of precision. - An electrical ballast and electric starter. The manufacture of the ballast in particular requires complex technology.  The price is governed by all these components. (Philips) 

10 If your vehicle is equipped with Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)...
IF YOU HAVE LOW BEAM DRLs, you will have to disable this function on your vehicle.  If you live in Canada, you are required to have DRLs.  Some car manufactures use low beams at half power for DRLs.  This is a problem for XenBeams.  You may either modify your wiring to turn on XenBeams when the vehicle is running OR add an auxiliary set of halogen lamps to function as DRLs.  HID bulbs are not designed to run at half power (neither is the ballast).

If you have further questions you may contact us at cptn_crunch@hotmail.com.