The inner workings of a projector housing

[mikegrook]

I have always had HID's and now LED bulbs in my vehicles but I have never upgraded the housings. I am looking to switch from Quads (2015 Big Horn) to projectors using the TYC housings. I have found plenty of info on features and why and why not but I can not seem to find an answer to this question. Will the projector housing control the high beam as in a flap or shutter or would I be using a shuttered bulb. I do plan on using the Morimoto HID kits.

Thanks for any help!

 

[JPT]

I have always had HID's and now LED bulbs in my vehicles but I have never upgraded the housings. I am looking to switch from Quads (2015 Big Horn) to projectors using the TYC housings. I have found plenty of info on features and why and why not but I can not seem to find an answer to this question. Will the projector housing control the high beam as in a flap or shutter or would I be using a shuttered bulb. I do plan on using the Morimoto HID kits.

Thanks for any help!

There is a flap for high beam AND a separate bulb that comes on in addition to the flap. Some opt to put in LED bulbs in the separate bulb slot (since they are quick on and off, and that isn't the best idea for HIDs).

 

[mikegrook]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. it is very appreciated.

 

[werdna1977]

There is a flap for high beam AND a separate bulb that comes on in addition to the flap. Some opt to put in LED bulbs in the separate bulb slot (since they are quick on and off, and that isn't the best idea for HIDs).

What do you mean by a "flap"? I have 2 rams with stock projector head lights and im not sure i have ever seen a "flap" covering my high beam bulb

 

[JPT]

What do you mean by a "flap"? I have 2 rams with stock projector head lights and im not sure i have ever seen a "flap" covering my high beam bulb

The flap is behind the projector (low beam) when the flap moves, it reveals more light (high beam). You also have another bulb that only comes on when your high beam is on.

So technically you have 4 bulbs on when your high beams are on, the stand alone high beams, and the low beams with the flap in the retracted position.

The flap is what makes your low beam cutoff: This is an example of a projector with the flap, it is not our design, but just an example of what goes on behind a projector with a flap.

 

[werdna1977]

The flap is behind the projector (low beam) when the flap moves, it reveals more light (high beam). You also have another bulb that only comes on when your high beam is on.

So technically you have 4 bulbs on when your high beams are on, the stand alone high beams, and the low beams with the flap in the retracted position.

The flap is what makes your low beam cutoff: This is an example of a projector with the flap, it is not our design, but just an example of what goes on behind a projector with a flap.

I dont believe the ram projectors have this. When i had mine apart i didnt see that in there

 

[WilliamS]

All bixenon projectors have a shutter that differentiates high and low beam. The bulb is always on, its just this little 1/4 inch movement that makes it a high beam.

The downside to xenon is using flash to pass, as HID systems do not like to be cycled like that. Although I would argue that statement as the OEM's have been doing it for years and Ive owned 10 year old HID cars with stock ballasts that were just fine.

To avoid headaches, spend the extra money on quality. You might save 40 bucks on a ballast today, only to replace it in a few months or a year.

Last if you decide to tackle a retrofit, Im a huge fan of TheRetrofitSource. I had a few issues with my current build and they were there 100% to fix my mistakes, yes my mistakes for no charge! Let just say I destroyed 2 projectors and they sent me 2 new ones without question.

 

[werdna1977]

All bixenon projectors have a shutter that differentiates high and low beam. The bulb is always on, its just this little 1/4 inch movement that makes it a high beam.

The downside to xenon is using flash to pass, as HID systems do not like to be cycled like that. Although I would argue that statement as the OEM's have been doing it for years and Ive owned 10 year old HID cars with stock ballasts that were just fine.

To avoid headaches, spend the extra money on quality. You might save 40 bucks on a ballast today, only to replace it in a few months or a year.

Last if you decide to tackle a retrofit, Im a huge fan of TheRetrofitSource. I had a few issues with my current build and they were there 100% to fix my mistakes, yes my mistakes for no charge! Let just say I destroyed 2 projectors and they sent me 2 new ones without question.

I dont think that the shutter makes it a high beam because it doesnt change the direction of the light. My ram has a separate high beam bulb which turns on when high beams are activated and yes my low beam bulb does stay on. The low beam bulb pattern doesnt change when i use my high beams either, im sure of this because i have LED in low beam and stock bulb in high beam. So if there were a shutter in mine then the LED low beam pattern would change due to the flap blocking a 1/4" of it

 

[WilliamS]

I dont think that the shutter makes it a high beam because it doesnt change the direction of the light. My ram has a separate high beam bulb which turns on when high beams are activated and yes my low beam bulb does stay on. The low beam bulb pattern doesnt change when i use my high beams either, im sure of this because i have LED in low beam and stock bulb in high beam. So if there were a shutter in mine then the LED low beam pattern would change due to the flap blocking a 1/4" of it

Some vehicle will have a separate high beam that is true, i didnt see what kind of projector.

 

[werdna1977]

Some vehicle will have a separate high beam that is true, i didnt see what kind of projector.

I have the stock RAM projectors

 

[Njdan30]

Stock ram projectors sure do have a shutter that moves when highbeams are on, yes the second high beam bulb also works in conjunction with it

 

[ricky_bobby]

I would recommend getting the Mopar housings - yes the TYC's are 'close' to OEM quality but if you're making the investment I would get OEM housings - the plastics, lens thickness, etc is all a slight step below OEM on the aftermarkets even though the TYC's are good for the most part

Having seen them both side by side I would go OEM

EDIT: Jesus , I didn't know how much the Mopar projectors shot up - $685 per - in that case, go for the TYC, probably a 1k difference - I would highly recommend adding PPF to the TYC headlights for more UV protection

If you are buying them for a retrofit project, plenty of used OEM lights out there as well

 

[rule18]

This thread is six years old, not sure how relevant the answers are for the OP at this point.