How does projector headlights work

If you do this test on your projector headlights and find that they are not properly aligned, you must adjust each headlight as soon as possible. Projector headlights that are not properly aimed pose the risk of blinding other drivers and create a danger on the road. When learning how to adjust projector headlights, again, work with just one headlight at a time. Use the steps for how to aim projector headlights and turn on your low beam only.

There are adjuster screws in the back of the headlight—use the appropriate tool to turn the screws until your headlights align with the marks you drew as noted above. When deciding which type of headlight installation is best for your truck, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each. The pros of choosing projector headlights are that you will have a brighter beam that is more focused, performing better at night and in inclement weather conditions. When considering reflector headlights, the most positive aspect of the installation is that due to the simple design they tend to be less expensive.

However, with reflector headlights, you may not be able to see as well. The light may appear hazier or duller compared to a projector headlight installation.

Most truck lovers agree that projector headlights are the way to go and that they pose many benefits not just for the driver of the vehicle but for others on the road as well.

Another common question we hear is regarding the type of lightbulb that is best for use in projector headlights. This means you will not have to replace the bulbs as frequently, but will not have to sacrifice on the quality of light. Once you know that you can use LED bulbs in projector headlights, you may wonder whether they are the best choice or if you should stick with HID bulbs instead.

Projectors are the most important component when it comes to a headlight upgrade, and due to the huge variety of available models out there, choosing one can often be confusing. By concentrating all of the available light on the road where you need it rather than scattering it into an unfocused blob — put simply, your headlights are brighter when they have projectors. When it comes time to pick out a projector for your headlight retrofit, there are enough options to make your head spin.

This choice is completely based on how your headlights are set up now. Do they use a single bulb with two filaments to produce the low and high beams?

Or, do they use one bulb for the low beam, and another bulb for the high beam? If the vehicle uses two bulbs, then you can use a low beam or a bi-xenon projector. Now that the choice is clear between needing a bi-xenon or not, we should consider the ease of installation. Are you looking for something that is as easy as possible to install, or are you looking to get your hands dirty on the retrofit even if it means major modification to the headlights is required?

When it comes to installation requirements, there are two basic kinds of projectors : Conventional — which will require a considerable amount of cutting to the stock headlight and are more difficult to align correctly.

Morimoto Minis — H1 and D2S , where the bulb holder doubles as a mounting shaft. This threaded shaft fits through the pre-existing hole in your reflector bucket where the halogen bulb comes through and clamps down with a variety of hardware. Kayla Dube. Lifewire Technology Review Board Member. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.

Article reviewed on Sep 07, Tweet Share Email. In This Article. How Do Projector Headlights Work? Projector Headlights vs. Reflector Headlights. What We Like. What We Don't Like. The 9 Best Mini Projectors of Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. As opposed to the classic dual-beam headlight design, which features two bulbs one for high beam and one for low beam , a projector headlight uses only one bulb.

The single bulb in a projector headlight sits in front of an elliptical-shaped reflector, as opposed to the classic parabolic-shaped reflector. This elliptical shape means that all of the light is reflected towards a single focal point in front of the bulb, where it meets a shutter.