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Halogen (H7) to Xenon project

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Hello!
I'm thinking of a completely legal way (home project) to convert my C-Max Energi car's lighting to Xenon, with official approval. Unfortunately, the Energi series was only made with halogen (H7) lamps. 
I don't see any challenges with the lighting washer, but there are quite a few questions about the Xenon control. 
Do you guys think it is possible to do it any way? What components do I need to design the Xenon control (beyond the xenon headlamp and its controllers that are in the headlamp).

Thanks for your answers!



It depends on what the laws are in your country. In the UK there is no 'legal' way to convert to Xenon and the car would automatically fail the MOT test. I expect that the laws regarding lights in Europe will be the same or very similar to those of the UK.

You could of course do the conversion and then apply to the relevant government agency for Type Approval of the new lights. Starting price will be upwards of £200,000 or more I would expect. 🤣 

  • Author
3 hours ago, unofix said:

It depends on what the laws are in your country. In the UK there is no 'legal' way to convert to Xenon and the car would automatically fail the MOT test. I expect that the laws regarding lights in Europe will be the same or very similar to those of the UK.

You could of course do the conversion and then apply to the relevant government agency for Type Approval of the new lights. Starting price will be upwards of £200,000 or more I would expect. 🤣 

I know exactly what the rules are, I also know what the approval process is. 
I don't want to put a xenon bulb in place of the H7 bulb (I think that's illegal everywhere), I want to put the system together from Ford factory components. 
I think this is possible because other C-Max models have been equipped with such a system. The only question is what are the xenon control components I need to get for this.

1 hour ago, justaguest said:

I know exactly what the rules are, I also know what the approval process is. 

Excellent !!

Then your country must be different to the UK and the rest of Europe. As you will already know that altering the lights will invalidate the vehicles type approval and therefore it's safety certificate. It does not matter if you use 100% genuine Ford parts and make it exactly the same as it would have been if it had been built with those exact lights by Ford, the fact will always remain it was not built that way and the type approval will be void. 

2 minutes ago, unofix said:

.. the fact will always remain it was not built that way and the type approval will be void. 

Are you in need of a Snickers? LOL

2 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Are you in need of a Snickers? LOL

Sometimes I feel it's like running a 'Marathon' 🤣

  • Author
14 hours ago, unofix said:

Excellent !!

Then your country must be different to the UK and the rest of Europe. As you will already know that altering the lights will invalidate the vehicles type approval and therefore it's safety certificate. It does not matter if you use 100% genuine Ford parts and make it exactly the same as it would have been if it had been built with those exact lights by Ford, the fact will always remain it was not built that way and the type approval will be void. 

The legislation does not state "only in factory form", neither in the European Union nor in its Member States. It requires certificates for each component and specifies the form in which its use is allowed. If someone wants to deviate from the factory form, they have the possibility to do so, but must be authorised by the Transport Autohority. 

I don't know how it is in the UK specifically, but in my own country I know exactly, including the whole permitting process. I need the components to be able to submit it for prior authorisation, then I can start the conversation.


So, back to the original question: can you help me with the technical side? 

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