TRS Tech

Dictionary

Cutoff line

The line that separates light below from darkness above in a projectors beam pattern

Fresnel lens

glass projector lens with concentric rings molded into it to soften and distribute the output.

Color flicker

the effect projector headlights give off when their color band flashes in and out of the field of view of onlookers

Color band

a band of colorful light spread across the beam pattern's cutoff line.

Foreground limiter

a secondary cutoff shield inside the projector that creates a defined beam patter n on the ground directly in front of the car.

Cutoff shield

a plate (fixed or hinged) inside the projector that defines the shape of the beam pattern.

Bixenon

a projector that is switch-able between low and high beam mode.

Bixenon solenoid

solenoid that when power is applied, pulls or pushes the cutoff shield out of the way to activate the projector's high beam.

Projector

The assembly that captures and focuses the light from the bulb and projects it out onto the road in a defined beam pattern.

Ballast

the catalyst for the HID light bulb

D2S

The standard light bulb used in most modern high performance xenon/bi-xenon headlamp systems. D2 designates the base, "S" stands for shielded - as in cutoff shield.

Focus height

The distance between the flat bottom on a projector lens and the top of the rounded crest on the face. Crucial for creating a focused beam pattern.

AMP/amp adapter

AMP is a universal type of connection between aftermarket HID kit ballasts and their bulbs. The adapter will allow these aftermarket ballasts with AMP outputs to be used with D2S bulbs.

Relay

An electrical switch that has an input pin, an output pin, a switch pin, and a ground. The heart of a proper headlight wire harness.

Kelvin

A measure of the color of a bulb. Lower = more yellower, Higher = more blue/purple

Lumen

measure of intensity of a bulb. More lumens = brighter.

Shroud

The decorative trim cover that goes over a projector to enhance the aesthetics of a retrofit. Serves no purpose other than looks.

Bezel

The decorative trim cover that goes over a projector to enhance the aesthetics of a retrofit. Serves no purpose other than looks.

LHD

Left hand drive - projectors designated as LHD are for use in places like North America, where oncoming traffic drives on the left side of us. Relates to the shape of the beam pattern and creating (or really, not creating, glare)

RHD

projectors designated as RHD are for use in places like the UK or Australia, where oncoming traffic drives on the right side. Relates to the shape of the beam pattern and creating (or really, not creating, glare)

85122

The original Philips D2S bulb. 35w, 4300K

85122+

The newer generation Philips D2S bulb, 35w, 4300K, more lumens, less resistant to color shifting (stays 4300K for longer, resists lumen loss over time)

Reflector bowl

The back half of a projector that holds the bulb, is chromed inside to reflect light forward through the cutoff shield/projector lens.

Bulb clip

the clips that holds the bulb into the projector snugly and in the right position.

Lens retainer

the metal ring that holds the glass projector lens onto the unit. Usually either pressed on, or screwed on.

Pigtail

any kind of component input with a socket on one end and wires coming out the other. Used for ballasts, bi-xenon solenoids most commonly.

Capsule

Commonly used interchangeably with just "bulb" - the capsule is technically the little glass bubble inside the HID bulb that houses the halide salts.

Rebased

term used to describe HID bulbs that have been modified for use in housings not designed to originally accept them. Shape of the plastic base has been changed to fit.

Return wire

The metal wire that comes out of the top of an HID bulb, bends 180 degrees and goes down into the base to meet a contact which goes to a ground on the ballast. It's an extension of the 2nd electrode on the bulb, is usually covered with a ceramic sleeve to protect from arc'ing.

P32-D

The standard designation for a D2 (D2S/D2R) bulb base shape and its corresponding ballast socket type.

Halide salts

the alkaline salts used inside of an HID bulbs capsule. When electricity strikes across the electrodes, it creates a reaction with the salts that makes light.

D1S

A newer generation of HID light bulbs with the igniter built into the base. D1 signifies that the igniter is built in, S means that the bulb is for use in xenon/bixenon projectors.

D4S

An even newer generation of HID light bulbs that is similar to D2S, but is mercury-free so is more environmentally friendly. Philips "XenEco" bulbs for example. Also marginally brighter with several hundred more lumens.

D2R

The standard light bulb used in most older, reflector based xenon headlamp systems. D2 designates the base, "R" stands for reflected, as in a typical headlight reflector.

Igniter

the component that ramps up the voltage using a series of capacitors to ignite the HID bulb. Generally integrated with the ballast, but in the case of D1S/R bulbs, is integrated into the base of the actual light bulb.

Integrated igniter

Igniter that is built into the ballast

Hot-strike

An attempt (successful or not) to re-ignite an HID light bulb immediately after it was just turned off.

Potted

protection for electrical components inside a ballast achieved by surrounding them with "goop" that prevents them from moisture damage.

Morimoto

The TRS house brand, consisting of only the highest quality aftermarket components available.

Color mod

a modification to a projector that creates more color/color flicker

Shield mod

a modification to a projector that creates more color/color flicker

Color shift

As HID bulbs age, they shift from their original color to become more of a pure white/bluish color. That's why older cars with factory HID's have headlights that look more blue compared to brand new ones, even though they're using 4300K bulbs.

4300K

a Kelvin rating for an HID bulb that's generally white/off white in color.

5000K

a Kelvin rating for an HID bulb that's generally pure white in color.

6000K

a Kelvin rating for an HID bulb that's generally white with a tinge of blue in color.

04-05 vs. 06-07 tsx projectors

04-05 TSX's come with factory clear lenses and a removable cutoff shield. The newer 06-07 projectors come with a less desirable Fresnel lens and a cutoff shield that is cast into one piece with the lens frame. On the outside, they look the same but the older model is preferable for better performance and aesthetics.

S2k-R

The Retrofit Source's ultra high performance low beam projector that has been designed specifically for the purpose of retrofitting.

Fx-R

The Retrofit Source's ultra high performance bi-xenon projector that has been designed specifically for the purpose of retrofitting.

HIDP

Acronym for HID Planet, a great forum and resource for information related to retrofitting headlights.

TRS

acronym for The Retrofit Source (that's us)

Auxiliary reflector

a secondary reflector used to intensify the outer edges of a beam pattern. Lexus LS430 projectors are infamous for their excellent width because of their use of Auxiliary reflectors. Infiniti M35/45 projectors also use these, but not as successfully.

H4/9003

Standard 3 pin halogen headlight bulb setup. One bulb for low/high beam purposes.

9007/4

Standard 3 pin halogen headlight bulb setup. One bulb for low/high beam purposes.

CCFL

Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp - common for angel eyes.

Inverter

the power supply for a CCFL angel eye system

Shroud extension

An custom fabricated extension that allows one to cover more inside their headlight than a typical shroud would allow for.

Sealed beam

A one piece headlight housing/light bulb commonly used in older automotive applications.

Autoleveling system

When the headlight's beam automatically levels itself as the vehicle is driven up or down a sloping road. Inputs from the vehicle's ECU signal electric motors to push in or out, adjusting the aim of the projector/reflector up or down.

AFS

Acronym for Adaptive Front Lighting system, where the projectors turn with the steering wheel to help visibility around corners.

Cutoff step

The step in the middle of a beam pattern's cutoff line. Refer to LHD/RHD

DOT Step

The step in the middle of the light cutoff line is more vertical opposed to slanted.

ECE step

The step in the middle of the light cutoff line is more slanted opposed to vertical.

Quad setup

A projector retrofit using two projectors in each headlight housing. The ultimate retrofit for intensity, width, aesthetic appeal.

Bixenon control box

similar to a typical relay, but also compensates for the lack of a low beam signal to keep the ballasts turned on when the high beams are active. The heart of our bi-xenon relay wire harnesses.

Diode

A key electrical component for bi-xenon wire harnesses that don't use a bixenon control box. This "one way road" for electricity allows the relay to remain active when the high beams are turned on.

Pin-out

The order of the metal contacts/pins in an input socket for a relay wire harness.

HID

Acronym for High Intensity Discharge headlamps

Xenon

Same thing as High Intensity Discharge headlamps

PNP

Acronym for Plug n Play

DDM

Popular for their aftermarket 55w HID kit ballasts.

H7

A common halogen low beam projector bulb type. The most similar halogen bulb to a D2S xenon bulb.

Diffused lens

a lens on a headlight that has refractive lines cast into it to scatter the light into a proper beam pattern. No good for retrofitting projectors.

Housing cap

The rubber cap that seals the rear side of a headlight housing.

Butyl rubber

The most typical kind of glue that seals the two halves of headlights together. Becomes pliable when heated.

Dremel tool

The most popular rotary tool used in the retrofitting process. Can be fitted with a variety of bits to cut, shape, and smooth components.

Digital ballast

A "smart" ballast that will shut itself down before self-destructing from failed attempts at hot-striking a bulb, moisture intrusion, etc.

Warm up

The few seconds after the ballast ignites the bulb, it warms up to full operating intensity.

Electrodes

two thin metal contacts on both sides of the halide salt capsule inside the light bulb. These arc with electricity upon ignition from the ballast to create a light reaction inside the bulb.

DL50

High end 50/55w D2S light bulb produced by Philips Germany. A nice bulb, but probably not worth it's high end price.

Ray-trace

The precision measurement of light rays and the direction they are emitted from a light source. Important consideration in designing optical systems like projectors.

Optics

branch of physics that studies properties and behaviors of light.

Pediddle

A car with a headlight burned out. Ouch!

Beam pattern

The output emitted from a xenon or bi-xenon projector. Generally has a defined shape with a stepped upper light cutoff line, visible width limits, and a foreground cutoff.

Foreground cutoff

The definition of the beam pattern projected on the ground directly in front of a car. Determined by a the foreground cutoff shield if applicable. The shape can usually be modified to your liking.

Double-cutoff

An ailment in the beam pattern where the upper cutoff line has a yellowish shadow /ghost under it. Usually corrected for by simply pushing lightly on the cutoff shield forward towards the lens.

Igniter cord

Where the igniter is built into the socket that twists onto the back of the D2 light bulb, is integrated with the wiring that extends outwards from the ballast control box.

OEM

Acronym for Original Equipment Manufacture, meaning parts that you would find factory-installed on a production car.

DOT

Acronym for Department Of Transportation. They determine the acceptable standards for automotive lighting here in the US.

ECE

Acronym for Economic Commission of Europe. They determine the acceptable standards for automotive lighting in Europe.

Inline fuse

Part of a wire harness that protects the wiring and ballasts should something go wrong.

Clear lens

An optically clear glass projector lens that enhances the performance and aesthetic characteristics of a projector's output.

Bulb spacer

A thin spacer inserted in between the base of the D2S bulb and the reflector bowl/bulb holder to enhance light distribution and the size of the hotspot. (works well for some projectors, not so well on others)

Retrofit

The process of installing modern high performance lighting components into a typical halogen reflector style headlight housing to enhance performance and looks.

Oven method

Method for opening headlights using an oven to warm the entire headlight housing evenly to soften the glue and ultimately pry the two halves apart. (270 degrees, 7 minutes, middle rack, works great!)

Heat gun method

Method for opening headlights using a heat gun to warm the perimeter of the headlight housing to soften the glue and ultimately pry the two halves apart.

Rotational alignment

A crucial step in mounting projectors to ensure the final beam pattern is horizontally flat.

Aiming adjusters

The knobs on the backside of a headlight that allow one to adjust the beam pattern up/down and side to side.

Lens spacers

used to fine tune the focus of a projector's beam pattern. Commonly made of metal rings or thin cardboard.

"value" parts

Heavily discounted parts from TRS that are in close to perfect condition

DRL

Acronym for Daytime Running Light

LED

Acronym for Light Emitting Diode.