hey all

I just purchased a set of used HID's and at first it worked without a problem...but one time i turned it on then off....then turned it back on again and one side won't turn on....i popped the hood and i could't hear that high pitch noise that the ballast made on the side that wasn't on...then i turned it off again and waited for about 10 seconds...after turning it on again it worked fine as usual....is this normal?? should i not turn it on and off all the time?? or often when in use?? i checked all the connections and it was okay...i hope i don't have a bad ballast or something:confused: :confused: please help....

thanx

hugh:alien:

Rapid cycling isn't good for the ballasts and bulbs. When you turn HIDs on they go through a startup cycle where the ballasts draw a high current to "kick-start" the bulbs, then settle down to normal operating mode and current. The lights should be allowed to complete this cycle and remain on for a while before shutting them off. They should also not be restarted immediately after they have been running and turned off.
Sometimes if you cycle them too quickly they will flicker and go out, or just not come back on at all, until you wait for a minute and turn them on again.
You can't flick them on and off like normal halogen bulbs.

Hugh - this happened a couple of times when my roommate had the HID kit. It was right after he installed where he would turn them on and off to see how the light beam was. Ever since then, it never did happen - it seemed to only happen after he had initially turned them on, and then he would turn them off and then on really quick. We didn't really think anything about it as like you said, it would just turn right back on if you did turn it off. I would assume it could be the ballast. If you continue to see those problems, please let me know and I will try to work something out to get you a new ballast. Just PM me or email me and we'll get you hooked up - just let me know :)

Now I remember reading in some other HID posts that with HID kits, it takes a good amount of power to actually turn on HIDs...now once it 's on, it takes less power to keep it running compared to regular halogens. For me and my HIDs, I try to use the general rule of not trying to turn them on and off frequently...also, try to keep from starting the car with the HIDs on. It shortens the bulb life. Bulb life for HIDs should last you way longer with normal use (say maybe close to five years from what I've read).

Forget my post - just read mulder's :lol:

ground EACH ballast with a GOOD ground or right to the "-" terminal on the battery. this is probably your problem.

Bob

I agree that they should be directly grounded, but even if they are, rapid cycling will do the same thing.

thanx guys:)

still kindda nOOb to the HID world....how can i better ground the ballast? there are only the connectors to the stock harness....does anyone know where i can get a set of spare bulbs? would like a set before they ban the sale of them:D

thanx

hugh:alien:

Actually the sale of HID kits is already banned as of August 15 but some vendors continue to sell them. As for bulbs first of all it's unlikely you'll need replacements unless one turns out to be defective, the normal life of HID bulbs is rated around 2500 hours or more which is many years of use. If you do want to get spares they have to be compatible with your application. Retrofit HID bulbs are not standardized, aside from needing to have the proper base to fit your halogen housings they must also have the proper electrical connections to plug into the ballasts/ignitors you have. If you know who originally made and/or sold the kit contact them to see if they have replacement bulbs.

Grounding-
If they're just plugged into the stock harness this means the ballast negatives are connected to the car's switched grounds in the headlight circuit. This isn't a good idea for HIDs. If you can identify the negative wires to the ballasts, disconnect them from the headlight plugs and ground them directly to the chassis or battery negative terminal.

Hugh - you can get bulbs anytime from the following Website:

http://www.angelfire.com/ultra/brightlightz/

You have McCulloch HIDs and the K rating on your bulbs are 5300K, so when you get replacement bulbs, make sure you get the 5300K so it will mate with the ballasts you have. They have really good service and the HID kit was originally purchased from them. Let me know if you have any other questions...

Hank

Originally posted by Hank3
Hugh - you can get bulbs anytime from the following Website:

http://www.angelfire.com/ultra/brightlightz/

You have McCulloch HIDs and the K rating on your bulbs are 5300K, so when you get replacement bulbs, make sure you get the 5300K so it will mate with the ballasts you have. They have really good service and the HID kit was originally purchased from them. Let me know if you have any other questions...

Hank

thanx Hank

holy moly $155:eek: :eek: ?!?!

hey hank what's the K on the yellow bulb?? i thought that mcculoch only had 5300K...i kindda want HID for the fogs now hehe:D ...hows the install with your roomie's new kit??

hugh:alien:

Originally posted by HubbieScooby
thanx Hank

holy moly $155:eek: :eek: ?!?!

hey hank what's the K on the yellow bulb?? i thought that mcculoch only had 5300K...i kindda want HID for the fogs now hehe:D ...hows the install with your roomie's new kit??

hugh:alien:

Yup...but like mulder and I said, HID bulbs last waaaaaay longer than your conventional halogens (typically). So IMO, the price is worth the admission of having better usuable light that lasts longer :)

Which yellow bulb are you speaking of? HIDs in fogs are kinda of overkill. Stick some nice quality Hellas or PIAAs that emit a yellower light to contrast the whiteness of the HIDs. This way the contrast of the yellow light can actually serve some purpose during inclement weather - which is what fogs were initially intended to do. But too often these days, manufacturers stick on fogs for more aesthetic reasons more than functionality. But it all depends what you're going for - looks or function. I like to have a combination of both. I have 4300K HIDs with Ion Yellow Crystal from PIAA in my fogs :)

My roomie's new HID kit hasn't arrived yet - probably early next week :furious: ;)

Aside from the fact that putting HIDs in the factory fogs may defeat their purpose and produce a lot of glare, the H3 bulbs used in the fogs are rather short and most HID bulbs won't fit in there.