Bi-Xenon headlights module
Xenon headlights
Here you will find useful basic information and handy tips relating to xenon headlights.
Xenon headlights provide substantially more light on the road than classic halogen headlamps. They increase safety when it is dark and are now found in almost all vehicle classes. On this page, find out about the structure of xenon headlights and how they work. You can also find out what causes xenon ballasts to fail, how faults can be found quickly, and how dangerous it is to retrofit illegal xenon headlights.
Important safety note
The following technical information and practical tips have been compiled by HELLA in order to provide professional support to vehicle workshops in their day-to-day work. The information provided on this website is intended for suitably qualified personnel only.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MODULE: FUNCTION
Xenon headlights are comprised of the gas discharge lamp, the xenon ballast, and the reflection and projector-type system. Bi-Xenon means that high beam and low beam are realised by a projection module. This has the advantage that only one ballast is required. This means that two light distributions with a large luminous flux are realised within the smallest installation space.
Bi-Xenon headlights module
Function
Through the use of a moveable cover, a purely mechanical switch between the light distributions for high beam and low beam is possible. This means that, aside from the actuating mechanics for the cover, there is no additional outlay for a separate headlamp with its own control electronics. The high beam light also reaches further and the areas to the side of the road are illuminated better.
Illumination with good high beam light
Illumination with Bi-Xenon high beam light
XENON BALLASTS: FUNCTION
The electronic ballast (E) ignites the inert gas mixture in the bulb with a high-voltage pulse of up to 30 kV (4th generation). It causes a spark to flash over between the electrodes of the bulb. The electronic ballast controls the start-up of the bulb so the bulb reaches its operating phase quickly, and then controls the bulb power to a constant 35 W.
A DC converter generates the required voltage for the electronics and the bulb from the vehicle electrical system. The bridge circuit supplies a 300-Hz alternating voltage to operate the xenon bulbs. Several control and safety circuits are integrated in the device.
Several control and safety circuits are integrated in the device.
The system is switched off within 0.2 seconds in the event of:
- A missing or faulty burner
- Damaged wiring harness or bulb part
- Differential current (fault current) greater than 30 mA; the switch-off time becomes shorter the greater the differential current
To protect the ballast electronics, a counting circuit ensures that a faulty bulb is only ignited seven times. After this, it is switched off.
If the cable connector is removed during operation, the voltage connections are practically voltage-free (< 34 V) after < 0.5 seconds, meaning that there is no immediate danger of electric shock should the warning notice not be complied with.
Switch-on process of a gas discharge lamp
Block diagram of the electronic ballast system
Properties and differences of the 3rd / 4th generation compared to the 5th / 6th generation
| Features | 3rd generation | 4th generation | 5th generation | 6th generation (Xenius) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burner | D2 | D2 | D1 | D1 / D3 |
| Internal igniter | X | |||
| External igniter | X | |||
| Filtered and shielded version | X | |||
| Fully shielded system | X | X | ||
| Longer cable possible | X | |||
| Improved ignition reliability | X | |||
| Laser-welded housing | X | X | ||
| All AFS functions integrated | X | |||
| LIN communication | X |
Ignition module
- The different versions meet various limit values in terms of electromagnetic compatibility.
- The main differences between the 3rd and 4th xenon generations are an igniter with or without metal shielding and the cable group between the ballast and the igniter which either features shielding or does not have it.
Shielded
Filtered
FAULTY XENON BALLAST: CAUSE OF FAILURE
A faulty ballast results in the complete failure of the headlamp.
Causes of failure of the ballast include:
- Lack of voltage supply
- Lack of ground connection
- Faulty electronics in the device
- Internal short circuits
CHECKING THE XENON BALLAST: TROUBLESHOOTING
- Check whether the ballast attempts to ignite the bulb when the light is switched on. The ignition attempts can be clearly heard in the vicinity of the headlamp. If the ignition attempts are unsuccessful, the xenon bulb should be tested by using the bulb from the other headlamp.
- If no ignition attempt is carried out, the fuse should be checked.
- If the fuse is OK, check the voltage and ground supply directly on the ballast. Voltage must be at least 9 Volts.
- If the voltage and ground supply, as well as the xenon bulb, are OK, the cause of the fault is a faulty ballast.
RETROFITTING XENON HEADLIGHTS – ILLEGAL RETROFITTING: NOTE
RETROFITTING XENON HEADLIGHTS – LEGAL FOUNDATION: USEFUL INFORMATION
In Europe, only complete xenon headlight systems may be retrofitted. These comprise a set of type-approved headlamps (with identifier E1 on the cover lens, for example), automatic headlamp leveling and a headlamp cleaning system (regulation as per ECE regulation R48 or compliance with national regulations).
Every headlamp is granted its design approval together with the light source (halogen or xenon) used for operation. If the light source is replaced by a different light source that has neither been granted type approval nor has been provided for in the design approval of the headlamp, the design approval is no longer valid, thus invalidating the general vehicle certification (§ 19 StVZO, section 2, clause 2, no. 1). Driving without general vehicle certification leads to restrictions in insurance protection (§ 5, section 1, no. 3 KfzPflVV, German compulsory insurance directive). Those who sell such lighting equipment which has no type approval have to be prepared for damage claims by buyers, too. Because when the seller passes on these parts, they not only guarantee that these may be used for the intended purpose, but they also possibly take over responsibility for the risk of damage as well – to an unlimited amount.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
- High glare values: Measurements in the lighting laboratory have shown that the active light distribution of a headlamp which was developed for halogen bulbs and is now operated illegally with a xenon light source no longer corresponds to the values calculated originally in any way.
- In the case of reflection systems, glare values were measured which exceed the permissible limit values by a factor of up to 100.
- The headlamps of these vehicles then no longer have a cut-off line and can also no longer be adjusted. The glare values correspond to those of high-beam headlamps. This endangers other road users massively.
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