HID (Xenon) Wiring Question?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
HID (Xenon) Wiring Question? Hey everyone,
I'm installing a set of HID's in my T/A. Has anyone installed HID's and retained the stock headlight wiring? In other words, remove the stock low beam bulb, and attach the HID ballast directly to the 2 stock wires that ran into the low beam.
As it has been stated, HID's use less juice than stock lights, except during the "startup" when they use a bit more. Will our wiring stand up to the "startup" phase? Lots of folks on other forums are using their stock wiring with good results, but what about an F-body? I'm expecting a lot of people to jump in and say "the stock wiring was not designed for HID's", but does anyone have first hand experience that we can go off of? Any info would be great, thanks!
I'm installing a set of HID's in my T/A. Has anyone installed HID's and retained the stock headlight wiring? In other words, remove the stock low beam bulb, and attach the HID ballast directly to the 2 stock wires that ran into the low beam.
As it has been stated, HID's use less juice than stock lights, except during the "startup" when they use a bit more. Will our wiring stand up to the "startup" phase? Lots of folks on other forums are using their stock wiring with good results, but what about an F-body? I'm expecting a lot of people to jump in and say "the stock wiring was not designed for HID's", but does anyone have first hand experience that we can go off of? Any info would be great, thanks!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Even though HID's use about 20,000-25,000 volts to "ignite" the xenon gas in the bulb, there is very little amperage; typically less than the current draw of a halogen bulb. It also only lasts for less than a second. Compared to halogens, which are rated anywhere from 55-85 watts, HID's are about 35 watts. The stock wire guage is more than enough.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
Eugenio:
Did you install additional relays? I recall the Tbyrne kit came with a pair of relays and "wiring harness" which attaches directly to the batt, or acc terminal?
Or did you just plug them directly into the 2 stock headlight wires with no additional power/ground/relays?
Did you install additional relays? I recall the Tbyrne kit came with a pair of relays and "wiring harness" which attaches directly to the batt, or acc terminal?
Or did you just plug them directly into the 2 stock headlight wires with no additional power/ground/relays?
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I heard the relay's need to be used to prevent any type of damage to the stock light switch.. I just read this the other day on one of these forums. The dude said "be forwarned, use the relay" because he didnt and he is now tracing through his car for burnt wires. just my .02
The relays are used because there isnt enough juice to initially light the HIDs, therefor you attach the relay to the battery to kind of "jump start" it. Trust me I went through this problem with mine, they wont work on fbodies without a relay (well most).
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
Thanks for the replies, that's exactly the info I was looking for. I've got a pretty good idea of how to wire it up now.... it's your basic "relay wiring", but if anyone is interested, here is a diagram: http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hid-...e-filament.gif
Any particular recommendations on what type of relay to go with and where to get it? Thanks again for the replies, good info!
Any particular recommendations on what type of relay to go with and where to get it? Thanks again for the replies, good info!
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