BEWARE- HIDs DO NOT LIKE VOLTAGE DROP

[argenis69 10+ year member]

Looks like you have Bad quality hid ballast, Period.

 

[hispls 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.

Of course. And when Audioque had build quality problems they told customers that their spiders failed from not "breaking in" properly.

Typical line of bullshit to avoid honoring warranty on a poor product. Consider fluctuations of a normal electrical system between off, cold, starting, running at idle. and running at 2K RPM. Many cars will have a pretty good swing there with factory electrical and no add-on's. If a ballast is failing it's because it's poorly made, not user error.⁕

 

[jteske88 10+ year member]

zero issues here, have hid brights, regulars, and fog. none of which have had any issues.

 

[Sleeklsc 5,000+ posts]

We have the same motors and alt size. I've got about 1500rms, a 850/1000 battery and b3 done. My car came factory with hids but had to switch them out to a custom aftermarket kit due to bulb availability. Little to no dimming whatsoever, think I paid $60 for the kit 5 years ago. I'd blame the hid kit.

Or get a relay kit w/ you're next one so that you'll be feeding directly off the battery. Idk, silly kids and there hids in hologen housings. Sigh.

 

[myjaja 10+ year member]

Cheap kit? Trying getting an ac kit instead of a dc.

 

[bbeljefe]

Correlation does not equal causation. Especially when the corollary is drawn from an incredibly isolated incident.

You got a bad product and to boot, you're handing out advice that is not based in any reasoned or tested experience.

I don't mean that to sound rude but, rather to encourage you to do some due diligence before creating a thread rife with misinformation.

 

[Full Tilt 10+ year member]

Hell, I don't even have a crazy-nice kit and I haven't had any problems. I know my voltage doesn't drop below 13; most HIDs should be fine even on 12, considering that's where they're often being powered when the headlights come on before start-up.

Just like hispls said; considering the normal power fluctuations between the key turning, start-up, idle, and high rev, even on an 'unloaded' electrical system, the drop in voltage in our vehicles shouldn't be anything dangerous to your lights unless you've got some serious drop, to the point where it could damage any electrical component in your car.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Get a better quality HID kit, a relay harness, and wire them to draw power straight off the battery.

 

[jteske88 10+ year member]

Relay is the number one issue I've seen failing systems. Lots of stock cars now adage have low voltage for driving lights and tend to kill ballast. Get a harness and you'll be safer.

 

[CerwinVega_Fan 10+ year member]

I have had my same mcculloch hid kit for several years now and no issues at all.. with voltage drop in all.

Paid around $250 iirc but was worth it to me.

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

i'm running budget hid kit in my caravan with 2k watts on oem alternator with big 3 upgrade and never had an issue. 3 years solid.

 

[jrdnhsnbrg 10+ year member]

Hmmm, interesting. I talked to a tech at DDM tuning and they said it's most likely a failed high/low relay. I have the direct battery connection relay deal.

 

[Only The Best 10+ year member]

After reading this thread it made me think a little bit... considering the fact that my right HID headlight sometimes doesnt work.... and I have to turn my lights on and off once or twice to get the right one to come on. Sometimes it doesnt even come on, and I'm wondering what causes this? +I havent had the light come on in about a week now, what would be expected to be bad?

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

After reading this thread it made me think a little bit... considering the fact that my right HID headlight sometimes doesnt work.... and I have to turn my lights on and off once or twice to get the right one to come on. Sometimes it doesnt even come on, and I'm wondering what causes this? +I havent had the light come on in about a week now, what would be expected to be bad?

The ballast is going out. One of mine was doing that so I called up the guy I bought my set from.... He sent me a whole new kit free of charge.

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

xenondepot/kbcarstuff.com has great kits and excellent service. My kit for the wifes Lexus was 130 shipped with 4 yr warranty