HID Relay Question

I used a relay harness, cheap insurance

 

I have 6 ballasts in my car. 4 are 35W 2 are 55W. I turn them all on at the same time XD I don't have any relays either lol

 

If the HID are only 35W and the stock bulbs are 55W, aren't the HIDs drawing less current? And if so, why would you need a relay? I was always under the impression the relay was to handle higher wattage.

I have a set of the 35W HIDExtra HIDs on the way, their website says plug and play, no relay needed. Is there something we need to know before installing these kits?

 

I installed a HID kit without the relay and have had no issues. The kit was 35W.

 

True and False. Since they are 35 Watts it requires less energy to run them but, when they are ignited by the ballasts in the beginning there is a high current draw that some stock wiring in cars can't handle

 

I also have the HIDExtra kit and it really was plug and play. The only potential issue is plugging the bulb into the ballast backward, if they don't light just switch them around and you are good to go.

 

For those that bought the HIDExtra kits, which temp kit did you get and why?

 

I got the 6000K because they said it was the most popular! Hey, what do I know, this will be my first experience with HIDs!

 

I am in the same boat. I heard 4300K was the one to get. What I think I want is the brightest white.? I certainly want plug and play with no harness modifications because if these HID bulbs burn out as much as I have heard, I will switch back. Let me know how your install goes Paul and I will make up my mind then.

 

They should arrive today or tomorrow, and if they are as easy as it appears in the instructions, it's shouldn't take much to install them. I got them during the Cyber monday deal when the Kits were $29.99 w/free shipping! I figure if they don't work, I'm not really out any more than if I purchase a set of Sylvania Silver Stars! I read the 5000K was the purest white, the 6000K have a very slight blueish hue...

 

I got the 5K kit. I wanted a very white light without the blue you see in some. I've had the kit for about 3 months with no issues.

 

I received my HIDextra Kit yesterday, went out this afternoon to try and figure out how hard the 30 minute plug and play install was going to be and immediately got stumped on where and how to mount the ballast.

Does anyone have any pictures showing where and how you mounted the ballast? I purchased the Cyber Monday Kit that sold for $29.99, so it does not have the slim ballasts. Thanks...

 

I mounted mine behind the "plastic" piece that you see on the front fenders. The ballasts are to big to be mounted on the front of the plastic. Just remove them, mount on to the fender with velcro and replace the plastic. By doing this you will never see the ballasts. BTW, this was the hardest part of the install, the rest is simple.

 

I didn't mount the balast anywhere, per se. I just left them dangling and cable tied the wiring to keep it all bundled together. I *think* I may have mounted the driver side on a piece of plastic right behind the light housing area. They've got the little plastic "locking" things on each plug for mine. I do keep a spare set of regular bulbs in the car, just in case one burns out during a long trip. Although, if it's the passenger side, I'd need a screw driver or socket to remove the screw/bolt and move the hose out of the way so the forward thinking may have a small flaw for me right now lol.

 

Thanks! Any tips on removing the plastic pieces? Any pics of the ballast behind the plastic? Is the velcro stuck to the inside of the fender on the metal? How long did it take you to do the install? Did you have to remove anything other than the two plastic pieces? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to mentally prepare myself for this project! I'd like to do it this evening, but there isn't much daylight left by time I get home, and I don't want to start a project and not be able to finish it, especially when I drive in at 5:30 am when working headlights are a necessity!

 

Just look closely at the plastic pieces, it will be clear on how they are held in and how to remove them. The plastic pieces are the only thing I had to remove. I did stick the velcro on the inside of the fender. When you put the plastic pieces back on it aslo helps keep the ballast in place. The whole job shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. Also be aware that replacing the passenger side bulb is a bit tricky unless you have very small hands, you need to remove a hose thats in the way, just a single screw. Good luck. In the end I think you will be pleased with the results.

 

Thanks! I'm probably going to do this on Saturday when I have plenty of daylight just in case... Seems anytime something should be a simple 45 minute job, it always turns into a 4-5 hour job for me! Your tips should be extremely helpful!

One last question, on removing the two plastic pieces... I looked at them again and it looks like there are two clips holding each piece in place. Did you use any specific tool, (i.e. needle nose pliers) to release these clips, or do they just pop out easily? Thanks again for your help.

 

Use the needle nose, the clips have small barbs that need to be pushed in, if I recall you may not have to remove all the pins to get the ballast back there just the front one. For me it was also a Saturday job with a lot of daylight just in case...Good luck!

 

Well, The HIDs are installed and working! Thank you dkp for your tips and advice! I only had to undo the front clips of the plastic pieces to get the ballast mounted behind them. I used velcro as you suggested and there isn't much visible after putting everything back together. I did have to use a little gasket grease on the orange bushings on the HID lights so they would turn the quarter turn to seat fully. The whole job took about 45 minutes as you predicted. One thing that still has me puzzled is the rubber pieces that came with the kit. Two sets of wires when through it, the connection to the HID (which made sense) but also the wire that connected to the vehicle wire harness. I assume this was supposed to attach to the back of the HID bulb after it's seated, but with the other wires going through it this is impossible. Anyone figure out how this was supposed to attach, or did everyone just disregard it? Again, thank you for the advice and tips, it made the install much easier...