Curious...

[unity]

How did the "don't touch the HID fixture with your fingers" get started?

A lot of auctions mention that the lamp has never been touched. But its not even physically to touch the quartz in the first place. The outer glass shell protect the actual capsule. Even my after-market HID have an outer glass shell.

So how the heck did that get started. Always bugged me, like when someone tries to sell an LSC when its indeed a base model.

 

[Aquabrit]

Maybe people are confused because you are not supposed to touch halogen bulbs, so they think the same principle applies to HID bulbs? I dunno either way, so i just avoid touching them.

This article says the same thing, dunno why. More interesting, however is the part at the bottom regarding the NHTSA and legality. Cracking down? Umm... Ok... I'll hide and deny all! :shifty:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/hid_headlamps.htm

On another note, not only people selling base models as LSCs is funny, but people also advertising the Mark as having a 'Mustang Cobra' engine! Lol.

 

[mrzeee]

That got started when the oil from the fingers caused a "hot spot" on the bulb and caused it the crack and the bulb would fail. It is always best that yu use the plastic bag to hold the bulb until it is inserted into the housing.
max

 

[unity]

That got started when the oil from the fingers caused a "hot spot" on the bulb and caused it the crack and the bulb would fail. It is always best that yu use the plastic bag to hold the bulb until it is inserted into the housing.
max

But with an encased one this is not the case. Right? The outer shell is glass, not quartz.

I handle high pressure lamps a lot. Check out this guy. 1510 watts. Imagine that bad boy out front of a Mark

 

[Moes8]

the outer "case" glass still needs to be 100% oil free to prevent a POSSIBLE (not definite ) hot spot and premature burnout,

i dont think anyone is talking about touching the inner workings,just the outer glass,

who really knows,but it sure is simple to follow Max's way and just dont touch the damn glass with your hands, lol.

 

[BAD97LSC]

thats what i always heard too is the oil in your fingers will mess up the glass capsule. if its true or not i still never touch bulbs by the glass its a habbit for me i guess.

 

[poniesviii]

thats what i always heard too is the oil in your fingers will mess up the glass capsule. if its true or not i still never touch bulbs by the glass its a habbit for me i guess.

Same. I don't know if it's true not to touch them or whatever, but I figure I want my bulbs as clean as possible anyways. Lol. I've touched bulbs, but I make sure to wipe them off.

 

[turborich]

I know that the oil from your fingers will cause a halogen bulb to fail. I would not touch a Xenon HID bulb just in case. I always wipe any bulb down with rubbing alcohol if it has been touched just to be safe.

 

[unity]

I know that the oil from your fingers will cause a halogen bulb to fail. I would not touch a Xenon HID bulb just in case. I always wipe any bulb down with rubbing alcohol if it has been touched just to be safe.

And thats the thing I was sorta getting at. With a Xenon you are not touching the actual lamp. Its a protective shell. Just like a street lamp.

Oh well! lol

 

[turborich]

Maybe, but it never hurts to be safe. Right?