CanBus HID Ballasts

[DKaz]

A local HID dealer on a local Mazda forum is trying to get me to upgrade to CanBus ballasts for an extra $50, saying it has a built in DRL canceler. He said he had success installing it into a buddies' Mazda with DRL so that the HIDs run full power all the time whether in DRL or night mode. He said the benefit is a clean install. These ballasts are normally used for European cars that may have bulb out problems with normal ballasts.

(BUMP, we need one more!!)

 

[Davebert]

There is a cheap and easy way to cancel the DRL circuit if you are using a relay harness with your HID conversion. All you have to do is put a $.50 470uF 25V capacitor across the coil terminal 85 and 86 on the relay.

Also, make sure to have a couple of H7 spacers for the new HID bulbs otherwise you will have to make a spacer by cutting up the original adapter.

Here is my HID conversion experience.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123748611

 

[DKaz]

Cool... I got the Canbus ballast anyway. I will relay my experience later on today but the seller who's well respected in the local mazda 3 forum promises it's completely plug n play, he successfully tested it on an 05 Mazda 3.

 

[DKaz]

Installed the kit, indeed the Canbus ballasts were truly plug and play, no DRL fixes required. I think I installed the bulbs upside down though.

 

[Qube]

Actually the "CANBUS" part isn't why there is no flickering. CANBUS digital ballasts usually run above the rated 35w and are inheriently less susecptible to DRL issues. Still, running at a decreased DRL voltage is very bad for the unit.

EDIT: $50 is a bit high a premium for "upgrading" to a CANBUS ballast.

 

[Kojack]

All I did was Ground to chasis instead of wiring harness. works great.

 

[DKaz]

Nine months, 30,000km, and easily at least 600 hours of driving later, absolutely no issues with the Canbus ballasts.