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Old 03-06-2004, 10:23 PM   #1
samwY
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Default Where can I buy ballasts for HID kit?

I have the Hanabi HID 8000k kit and one of the ballasts is defective.

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement or compatible ballast?

The specs for my Hanabi ballast is 23,000 watts and 9-16 volts.

Thanks
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Old 03-06-2004, 10:44 PM   #2
Mulder
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Eh, I don't think it's 23,000 watts. 23 maybe
If you bought the kit from a vendor they should be able to supply a replacement, although fewer vendors are carrying HID stuff now due to the recent ban on the kits by the NHTSA. If you didn't go through a vendor a search may turn up one who has the part you need, and of course there is always Ebay. A while back I needed a Philips ballast and found an exact replacement on Ebay.
The main issue with compatibility is the connections used for the ballast output on your particular kit, it has to plug into the bulbs (or ignitors if applicable) that you have. The input side is just 12V and universal between all ballasts although the actual connectors may be different.
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Old 03-06-2004, 11:23 PM   #3
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Thanks
You rock
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Old 03-07-2004, 09:20 PM   #4
mbeach
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Mulder to the rescue!
Sammy,
I posted the vendor on the other forum that carries the Hanabi ballast.

Mulder,
We ended up having to do a relay for both lights, because the common positive would not fire the ballast. This also allowed the HIDs to turn off when the high beams go on (better in this particular application due to the extreme brightness of the kit).
The Hanabi connector on the bulb side is round, with a clip ring on it. I've never seen anything like it.
That defective ballast was throwing sparks whenever the housing touched bare metal. Maybe it's something minor internally causing a short? your thoughts please.
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Old 03-07-2004, 10:07 PM   #5
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May not be a defect, some ballasts have a live connection at the case and can't be allowed to contact ground. I can't say for certain as I'm not familiar with the exact ones you have.
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Old 03-08-2004, 12:09 AM   #6
samwY
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Thanks Marlon
I bumped into that site the night we got back, but their phone # is disconnected. I tried emailing them about it. It seems the Hanabi kit actually uses Phillips ballasts.

Mulder, not a defect? Marlon tested the light not working with the good ballast and he's confident in his wiring, so it seems the other ballast has malfunctioned. The broken? ballast made sparks when it was touched with the metal near the ABS wire - could that mean it is defective?
We had it working the night before - sometimes ON sometimes flickering. But the next day it wouldn't turn on at all.

My HIDs are freaking possessed, but after driving with 1 HID light on and seeing the brightness, I still am very anxious to get these basterds on and WORKING.

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Old 03-08-2004, 07:19 AM   #7
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I was just speculating based on what others have reported with certain ballasts, but yours may indeed be defective especially if the problem only happens with one of the two ballasts. From your last post I don't doubt that it's bad.
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Old 03-08-2004, 08:39 AM   #8
mbeach
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Troubleshooting:
Tested wiring with multimeter on both sides -voltage/current o.k.
Swapped headlights left to right -lights o.k.
Swapped ballasts left to right -original passenger side ballast fails to fire on either side. Left side ballast o.k. on right side.
Swapped input/output harnesses on the ballasts -harnesses o.k. ("bad ballast harness' work with "good ballast").

Observations:
The "bad" ballast never lit for any appreciable length of time. It flickered quite a bit.
The "bad" ballast shorted (blew fuse) when it contacted the ABS cylinder (passenger side). This was when we were attempting to use the common positive and switched ground from the hl harness (before using relays).

I believe there is an internal defect in the "bad" ballast that caused the case to conduct electricity. This is definately not desirable, and the resulting surge caused by the short cooked something important.

I need to learn more about the workings of an HID ballast before opening the case. It might be something as simple as a fried diode or a loose wire.
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Old 03-08-2004, 08:48 AM   #9
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I do not suggest opening the ballast and trying to mess with it, especially when power is connected. There is dangerously high voltage inside. Also the components used are not the garden-variety type you can get at Radio Shack.
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Old 03-08-2004, 09:31 AM   #10
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hahahaha

I never considered opening the case while it was hooked up. Now that would be pretty interesting.

For an automotive application, there would have (should) to be some kind of vibration dampening "material" inside the case. Like an epoxy or something to prevent such loose wires from shorting out the case. I dunno.

Most often I find that inoperative electrical devices are a result of a single failure in an isolated component. I was hoping that would be the case here.
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Old 03-08-2004, 09:55 AM   #11
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You may be right about the mode of failure but that doesn't mean it will be obvious from looking inside. There is no documentation available on these ballasts and as you'll find if you do open it up, there is a lot of circuitry inside. Some of the critical components are most likely sealed in place with epoxy as you speculated.
I had a Philips ballast that got intermittent, I did open it up and poke around but wasn't able to find anything visually wrong. I wound up replacing it.
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Old 03-08-2004, 01:33 PM   #12
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What I need is a "Phillips ballast rebased"

Xenon sells them for $149.99

Mulder, how much did you pay for your replacement?
Anything on Ebay thats similar?

Specs I need: Vstart 28kV W-35w 9-16V 40'~105'C
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Old 03-08-2004, 01:53 PM   #13
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Mine was different, it is a standard Philips ballast. It was $100+ on Ebay but the one I found was an exact replacement and in like-new condition.
You need to search Ebay for the one you need, look for "HID ballast" and go from there, modify the search a bit if needed. Might have to keep at it for a while if nothing is there at the time you're looking.
The specs you listed are pretty much standard for most HID ballasts, you're more interested in finding one with the proper connector configuration so make sure there are clear pics.
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Old 03-08-2004, 03:12 PM   #14
mbeach
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mulder
you're more interested in finding one with the proper connector configuration so make sure there are clear pics.
Ditto.
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Old 03-10-2004, 07:24 PM   #15
samwY
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Theres a guy with an extra Philips hella ballast...still waiting for his response.
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Old 03-11-2004, 10:45 PM   #16
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$105 shipped. Lets hope it works
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Old 03-12-2004, 02:49 AM   #17
2000LegacySti
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Quote:
Originally posted by samwY
Theres a guy with an extra Philips hella ballast...still waiting for his response.
It is just a Philips ballast. Hella has nothing to do with it. I hope it works too. I'm still looking for the other one..
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Old 03-12-2004, 06:51 AM   #18
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Did you see pics first to check if the output connectors match yours?
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Old 03-13-2004, 12:26 AM   #19
samwY
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No pics but the specs and his description match up.

The connector that is hardwired to the ballast has a female and male connector right?
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Old 03-13-2004, 07:30 AM   #20
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Quote:
The connector that is hardwired to the ballast has a female and male connector right?
That's just it, you need to know it will match what you have before you commit to buying it. Only you know what is on your car now, we can't see it so asking here is of little use
That's why I suggested getting pics so you know for sure before spending $$ on a ballast that may not work.
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Old 03-13-2004, 12:07 PM   #21
mbeach
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Are the bulbs ballast specific? Meaning, that if the ballast has the same specs as original, can another ballast be used to fire the light bulbs?

If so, even with a dissimilar plug arrangement, can the user make a proper (usable) harness?

Sammy's bulbs/sockets have connectors between the the bulbs and ballasts. COuldn't this be a point to splice two dissimilar harnesses together?

bulb--->socket--->weatherpak type connector----->funky ballast plug--->ballast
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Old 03-13-2004, 02:56 PM   #22
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It..will...work......it..has..to...work

yellowcard - only you is a good song
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