The total amount doesn't determine the color, but rather the mixture of the various salts determines color. You really want to minimize the amount of salts, while providing enough to last the practical life of the lamp. Too much effectively gets in the way of the Mercury arc.

The brightness is determined by the amount of current you pump through the lamp. It is a balancing act to get the right Mercury and Xenon partial pressures for the desired operating current when designing the lamp. Increasing the current above the design point will make the lamp brighter, but it will significantly reduce the life. You pretty much run it where it was designed to be run. If you want brighter, you get a lamp that was designed for a higher current.

 

I noticed the 00' models have a more intense and more blueish/purplish light from various angles compare to the 01/02. As the locals go out for a night drive or happy hour, I can easily tell which one is a 00 and which ones are not. I wanted to get a different bulb made by Philips and attach it to our HID unit, but now, after reading, don't think I want to explode the housings .....

I love the blue/purple spectrums, really cool

 

Great info, now I know why these are the best head lights I have ever had on a car. In the rural roads of Lincolnshire in the UK they are a life saver

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mamba
[B]HID Headlamps

If a lamp doesn't light, or extinguishes after you turn the lights on, turn them off and wait a minute or so if you can.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kwaalude
[B]

what is the cause of the occasional "yellow/orange flash" when i turn on my headlights??

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mamba
[B]

Never noticed such a colorful flash on mine.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mamba
[B]

Never noticed such a colorful flash on mine.