BEWARE- HIDs DO NOT LIKE VOLTAGE DROP

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

This post is intended to help anyone debating getting HID bulbs to get rid of headlight dimming. DO NOT DO IT. Depending on the tolerance level of the HID ballast the voltage drop caused by your sound system may kill the ballast, leaving you without headlights until you get either a new ballast or switch back to regular halogen bulbs. I was told by an extremely reputable local shop that voltage drop can and will kill a HID ballast.

On Sunday night my HID kit died on me, leaving me stranded until my dad could get back to town and help me limp my car home in a snow storm. I was able to do some basic troubleshooting (checking all fuses and connections) and determined that the ballast itself had failed. Maybe it's just a junk kit from DDM Tuning, but they won't do anything about it but try to sell me another ballast.

If it's a risk you're willing to take, go for it. I will no longer suggest an HID kit to help with headlight dimming, though.

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[hispls 5,000+ posts]

The fact that you can't get that ballast warrantied should be a good indicator of the quality of that kit.

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

The fact that you can't get that ballast warrantied should be a good indicator of the quality of that kit.

They said it's not their fault the ballast failed because of inadequate electrical in my car, I can kind of understand it.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

They said it's not their fault the ballast failed because of inadequate electrical in my car, I can kind of understand it.

Sounds like a junk kit unless ur voltage is dropoimg into the 10s or somethin crazy

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

lol bad weather conditions and voltage drops, i'm glad the rest of your car is still in one piece. not sure how bad your voltage drops are but its most likely just a faulty ballast, i have ghetto blasters in my hood that are running HIDs and trust me, have no regard for voltages or electrical upgrades at all meanwhile trying to run big power, so far the only thing that hasn't blown in their system is the HIDs, but they got high quality ones. I dont understand how fools that can afford two JL slash 1000/1s and 2 W7 13.5s can overlook something so fundamental such as alts, batteries and big 3.

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

lol bad weather conditions and voltage drops, i'm glad the rest of your car is still in one piece. not sure how bad your voltage drops are but its most likely just a faulty ballast, i have ghetto blasters in my hood that are running HIDs and trust me, have no regard for voltages or electrical upgrades at all meanwhile trying to run big power, so far the only thing that hasn't blown in their system is the HIDs, but they got high quality ones. I dont understand how fools that can afford two JL slash 1000/1s and 2 W7 13.5s can overlook something so fundamental such as alts, batteries and big 3.

I didn't even have the system running at the time, had my rear battery out for regular maintanence and my amp was packaged up and ready to ship out to the buyer. Never had my voltage below 13V with the engine running. It's not as much voltage drop that hurts ballasts, but rapid voltage fluctuation (as is what commonly happens with car audio setups).

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

I didn't even have the system running at the time, had my rear battery out for regular maintanence and my amp was packaged up and ready to ship out to the buyer. Never had my voltage below 13V with the engine running. It's not as much voltage drop that hurts ballasts, but rapid voltage fluctuation (as is what commonly happens with car audio setups).

Then its junk *** ballast...ive had no problems

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

Before I got my ho alt I was droppin to 12.4 with hids

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

Before I got my ho alt I was droppin to 12.4 with hids

As I said, it depends on the tolerance of the ballast to voltage changes. I'm not going to run HIDs again without electrical upgrades.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

As I said, it depends on the tolerance of the ballast to voltage changes. I'm not going to run HIDs again without electrical upgrades.

Just get a solid set ..I run race sport canbus g4 kits

 

[tc300 10+ year member]

I have ddm with zero issues.....I know of 13 other sets that zero issues...

 

[tc300 10+ year member]

and if your voltage drop is that bad with out any stereo, just imagine all the subs and amps you will fry in the near future!!!!! lolol

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

DDMTuning *****. I had a set of HID's in my Caliber and their control box failed and they refused to warranty it. They told me I had to buy a new harness.

 

[Jes 42 10+ year member]

DDMTuning *****.

Sounds like they are the Boss audio of Hid's.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like they are the Boss audio of Hid's.

They used to make really nice stuff, but about 2 years ago they started getting their harnesses and parts made somewhere else. Ever since then their quality has gone for a nose dive.