HID Installation?

[dima_rus]

Espirit is right, but I never used no relay for my HIDs. Basically I plugged everything where it supposed to go (just plug and play config.) except I didn't use low beam ground, I grounded it to the frame of the car.

Going back to original H7 bulbs is really simple, just take all HID components and put the OEM bulbs back in place.

 

[Katner]

dima, last night I read this thread and installed them precisely the way you did. Worked perfectly! And I really like having them as my DRL's. More people can see them that way! And these kits have come down in price so much that it's no big deal to replace ballasts or bulbs every couple years as a result of running them so much. Although I hope it's not quite that frequent.


Thanks for the help!

 

[dima_rus]

dima, last night I read this thread and installed them precisely the way you did. Worked perfectly! And I really like having them as my DRL's. More people can see them that way! And these kits have come down in price so much that it's no big deal to replace ballasts or bulbs every couple years as a result of running them so much. Although I hope it's not quite that frequent.


Thanks for the help!

I'm glad I could help. Enjoy your new lights (wiggle)

 

[jasma1]

Dima and Esprit, thanks for all your help.

I did not do the modification yet... Just waiting for a few days of nice weather. BTW... How much did you pay (Katner) for your HID kits? Its been a while since I ordered a kit...

Thanks,

Jasma.

 

[Esprit]

I used to sell HID. I use KDG HID kits. They made in Korea. They also made HID for "PIXX", Japan. Very good and safe HID kits. One of my company car use it for test over 8 yrs and no problem at all and still running strong. From +30c to -30c outside, light up no problem.
8 yrs ago I had some HID kits from China for test, no good at Low temp. can't light up or on and off few times before can turn on ok.
THe KDG HID in few years ago cost me US$150 to $200 a set with shipping to Canada and Custom tax. I am talking about cost price not retail price. Is very hard to make business right now with around US$100 set on retail. Most people don't want to pay over US$200 a set. I am sure people can still find some good set for cheap price and even it made in China right now.

 

[Katner]

Dima and Esprit, thanks for all your help.

I did not do the modification yet... Just waiting for a few days of nice weather. BTW... How much did you pay (Katner) for your HID kits? Its been a while since I ordered a kit...

Thanks,

Jasma.

Jas, I ordered from the site you referred me to a while back (www.vvme.com). I got 4300k and although I'm extremely pleased with them I wish I had picked the 5000k set. Mine are just a slight tint of yellow mixed in with what is otherwise overwhelmingly white. I think the 5000k would have been pure white. The good news...they were like $48USD plus shipping. I saw the price and was like "are you kidding me? I should by 4 sets."

And the truth is I might. As Esprit says Chinese products aren't always the most quality controlled, but if I have to buy 5 more sets during the time I own this car its not bad value! And if I'm honest the quality appears to be up to par. The connection between the ballasts and the wiring is tight, and secure. The wires are sleeved very nicely and the bulbs fit snugly into the housings. Plus the ballast size is perrrrrfect for the engine bay on the 5. Mounting couldn't have been easier.

For those spooked by the low price of the vvme's set, apparently the same kit sold from the exact same vendor was once almost $300. I actually have looked at 4 year old threads where people ordered from vvme for $250. They are selling like hotcakes apparently.

And if my little ballasts burn out two years from now, I'll just order a new set! I think I'm going to take a few pics once we get our next chinook and the snow melts. I'll be sure to post.

-Kat

 

[jasma1]

Katner,

I posted a while ago, about VVME. Got all my HIDs from this company and only had one minor problem... After a couple of months, a defective Ballast. Other than that, it all works fine. I ordered maybe what.... 6-7 kits for different cars and they are still lighting up as we speak!

As for my 5, I ordered 8000 and 10 000k and my god the blue color is nice... Never been pulled over or nothing. Ok, it might not be as bright as your 5 000k, but then again... It is still 2.5 times better than normal lights!

Note that you can also buy the bulbs separatly and you don't need to modify your Ballast. Simply remove your 5 000 and install whatever else you bought.

 

[Katner]

Katner,

I posted a while ago, about VVME. Got all my HIDs from this company and only had one minor problem... After a couple of months, a defective Ballast. Other than that, it all works fine. I ordered maybe what.... 6-7 kits for different cars and they are still lighting up as we speak!

As for my 5, I ordered 8000 and 10 000k and my god the blue color is nice... Never been pulled over or nothing. Ok, it might not be as bright as your 5 000k, but then again... It is still 2.5 times better than normal lights!

Note that you can also buy the bulbs separatly and you don't need to modify your Ballast. Simply remove your 5 000 and install whatever else you bought.

Ah that's good to know! So the bulb is what determines color temperature not the ballasts? I like that. When my sister saw these she was like "I'm ordering some for my 3! I'll get her to order some 5 or 6000k and swap her bulbs.

I was trying to go as white as possible but I've seen some blue-tint varieties around here and they do look good. For my personal tastes if I wasn't going white I think I'd move up the temperature spectrum and get something a little more purple perhaps close to 12000k. But then like you say you start losing brightness the higher you go. Thanks for the tip!

-Kat

 

[jasma1]

That's right. Its not the Ballast that makes the color, but the bulb itself. So regardless what level you choose (4300 or 13 000k), you can still use the same ballast. I also thought at first that the ballast had anything to do, but no.

That's a good one for your sister!! You get her to buy what you'd personally like, then swipe it from one car to another, once the order is in...!! Hahahaha!!

 

[Bob*5]

I have OEM HID on my new 5. In the manual it says "Dangerous High Voltage - should only be changed by Mazda service department" . How true is this or are they just trying to make more money?

Bob

 

[wedginator]

I have OEM HID on my new 5. In the manual it says "Dangerous High Voltage - should only be changed by Mazda service department" . How true is this or are they just trying to make more money?

Bob

Yea, it's true about the high voltages. Around 15,000 Volts to get the bulbs started. But if you unplug the battery or ballasts while working on them, you should be alright. Even if you did accidentally touch a live wire, it'll probably give you a nasty shock.

 

[Bob*5]

Is there a safe way to discharge the voltage???

Bob

 

[AO928]

Is there a safe way to discharge the voltage???

Bob

Yeah... Invite a friend over with a 6-pack. (hah)

 

[jasma1]

Good one!!!

 

[Bob*5]

Thanks, I have a few friends who would do anything for a beer. Just stick your finger in there, OK? (cheers)

Bob

 

[wedginator]

Is there a safe way to discharge the voltage???

Bob

I don't the voltages are stored on any capacitor in the circuit. So once the ballasts / battery has been unplugged, then the voltage should be zero.

 

[fs-m5]

My other car also has HID and so easy to access and change, so I think you can change it definitely. Thing is just how to get to the opening that you can change the bulb, that's what stop me from changing those light bulbs on the M5, most of the front bulbs are so hard to get access to replace.

 

[2ride4life]

I have OEM HID on my new 5. In the manual it says "Dangerous High Voltage - should only be changed by Mazda service department" . How true is this or are they just trying to make more money?

Bob

I was just wondering where the factory ballasts are mounted? Would you mind taking a pic?

Thanks

 

[jasma1]

2ride4life,

One of the members told us that his 5 has factory ballast. If you are planning to add them aftermarket, I could always take a pic of mine. The place where I installed mine. Let me know.