My headlight is melting, 5500k 50W HIDs

I'm pretty sure this is a topic that has been covered many times, but I'm posting this as a warning for any non-LED Civic owners to stay away from using 50W HID kits.

I just posted a video that is showing my 2019 Civic experiencing early signs of melting plastic. I installed the HID kit less than 3 months ago, and as of today I just switched back to using boring yellow halogens.

In other threads, 35W seems to be a better choice in the sense that the bulb doesn't heat as much (?).
If any of you have suggestions for a kit that produces a white light, and has great light output, please let me know! I don't want to stick with halogens, and would like to keep using HIDs as I personally think they're a lot better.

ryanxd_ said:

I'm pretty sure this is a topic that has been covered many times, but I'm posting this as a warning for any non-LED Civic owners to stay away from using 50W HID kits.

I just posted a video that is showing my 2019 Civic experiencing early signs of melting plastic. I installed the HID kit less than 3 months ago, and as of today I just switched back to using boring yellow halogens.

In other threads, 35W seems to be a better choice in the sense that the bulb doesn't heat as much (?).
If any of you have suggestions for a kit that produces a white light, and has great light output, please let me know! I don't want to stick with halogens, and would like to keep using HIDs as I personally think they're a lot better.

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you live you learn bud lol never use those 55W HID kits
35W 5000K HID kits give off pure white light, any name brand kit can give great output just make sure its running on AC current for best color accuracy.

Cant say if 5000K would match the running lights though? they might have the slightest tint of bluish being projected as well, maybe go with 5500K or 6000K. sorry i have the LED headlights on my touring so i cant confirm this.

Yes 50W HID is way too much for our headlights. I know the stock bulb is 55W halogen, but HID does give off some decent heat at 50W. 35W is all you really need.

Also, I have a spare set of headlights and the driver side has the same dimple as yours does. Are you sure that it's melting?

NHCivicGuy said:

Also, I have a spare set of headlights and the driver side has the same dimple as yours does. Are you sure that it's melting?

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I'm not 100% certain, but the reason why I think it's melting is because of how the HID beam is really focused in that area, causing it to seem like it's beginning to melt. Seeing how you mentioned it has the same characteristic as mine, I'll double check other Civics and give an update!

Regardless, I will still drop down to a 35W kit, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks!

Manage to get an update for you guys, it turns out that the headlights do have a small bump in the headlights. Source - I went to a Honda dealership and looked at brand new cars, so I know it's 100% accurate.

Thanks for the reassurance that my headlight has not melted NHCivicGuy!

ryanxd_ said:

I'm pretty sure this is a topic that has been covered many times, but I'm posting this as a warning for any non-LED Civic owners to stay away from using 50W HID kits.

I just posted a video that is showing my 2019 Civic experiencing early signs of melting plastic. I installed the HID kit less than 3 months ago, and as of today I just switched back to using boring yellow halogens.

In other threads, 35W seems to be a better choice in the sense that the bulb doesn't heat as much (?).
If any of you have suggestions for a kit that produces a white light, and has great light output, please let me know! I don't want to stick with halogens, and would like to keep using HIDs as I personally think they're a lot better.

Click to expand...

I've been running 55w HID for over a year now and havent had any issues. I thought halogen was always hotter than HID but wasnt 100%. Decided to buy a infrared thermometer to know for sure. The lights are on for several minutes before testing. Here it is...

Halogen: 111.2
55w HID: 87.4

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Itachily504 said:

I've been running 55w HID for over a year now and havent had any issues. I thought halogen was always hotter than HID but wasnt 100%. Decided to buy a infrared thermometer to know for sure. The lights are on for several minutes before testing. Here it is...

Halogen: 111.2
55w HID: 87.4

View attachment 148999

View attachment 149002

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Wow this is good to know! I always thought they were neck and neck, but this is a pretty big difference. I'm assuming you did the test in the same conditions for the same amount of warm up time?

if you have issues with melting it wont be the outer lens. It'll be the plastic surround directly next to the bulb or the plastic that the base is held into.

Something along the lines of this is usually what happens wellll before you melt the outer lens.

NHCivicGuy said:

Wow this is good to know! I always thought they were neck and neck, but this is a pretty big difference. I'm assuming you did the test in the same conditions for the same amount of warm up time?

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It was tested in the garage after a few minutes start up. Tested the halogen first immediately followed by 55w HID. I tried to aim directly at the source as possible. So yes, same conditions/time.

The "dot" in the middle of the headlight is used for aiming your light.