#HALOGEN VS HID BALLASTS FOR CARS INSTALL#

While there is nothing wrong in installing a direct battery connection for your HID setup, there is absolutely nothing to be gained. The stock lighting harness is more than capable of handling the HID retrofit with no problems. The stock headlamp wiring on the Civic is the same for both HID and Halogen lamps for all markets. If the ballasts were really drawing 20 amps then the 10 amp leg fuse on each ballast would open. HID ballasts draw less than 10 amps at startup and 4-6 amps in a steady state. As previously stated, some states restrict how bright your headlights can be and also may ban colors other than yellow or white.Click to expand.Not true. They can help with installation questions and give you real-world information about how well the kit works.Īlso, make sure to research local restrictions on headlights. Check reviews of the kits you’re interested in and be sure to check out car forums for people who have installed HID headlights on a vehicle like yours. Prices vary widely and there are many different manufacturers. There is no shortage of HID headlight kits on the market today. It's also vital that you do some research on the kit before purchase.

#HALOGEN VS HID BALLASTS FOR CARS INSTALL#

If you plan on having the pros install your kit, it is fine to opt for the more complicated set up, just be sure to factor in labor costs to your HID budget. This will save a lot of time, wiring, customization and modification to your car to get them to work proper. ALWAYS check local laws regarding specific modifications to your vehicle before installing, a simple web search is far cheaper than a ticket.īeyond that, if you’re planning on DIY-ing an HID headlight kit you may want to opt for a vehicle specific, plug-and-play installation kit. There may be other restrictions as well which involve automatic leveling and headlight cleaning systems in order to be considered legal for road use.

HID headlights may be too bright for some areas which can endanger oncoming traffic. Some states in the US have limits on how bright headlights can be and also on their color.

Strong glare from HID headlights can blind oncoming traffic. That may require additional wiring, modifications to the headlight housing or surrounding area or sourcing an HID bulb that has the ballast built in. If the area around you vehicle’s headlights is particularly tight, you may struggle to find a good location to install the ballast. The ballasts limit the amount of current in the circuit. HID headlights require and electronic ballast to operate. HID bulbs and headlight assemblies cost significantly more than halogen or sealed beam bulbs. We can’t talk about HID headlights without discussing a couple disadvantages, these include: If you’re planning on selling your ride, many potential buyers prefer the look of HID headlights and when done on an older car can give it an updated and custom look. Lastly, equipping your vehicle with HID headlights can, I some cases, add value to your vehicle. It’s important to note that Bi-Xenon headlights do not work in single-beam headlight systems.

The added complexity increases the cost of these units and the system also requires maintenance to ensure everything works properly. Most often, this type of system uses a shield or reflector to change from low to high beam and requires moving parts within the headlight assembly. This is called a single-beam headlight system, and in this scenario the HID bulb is used for the low beam and a halogen bulb is used for the high beam.īi-Xenon headlights are used in dual-beam systems which a single bulb produces both the low beam and the high beam. Standard HID lights are typically found in applications where there is a bulb for low beams and another bulb for high beams. There are two types of HID headlights, standard HID and Bi-Xenon. Because the bulb is filled with xenon gas, HID lights are often also referred to as xenon lights. When the electrical arc heats up, it evaporates the metal salts creating an intense visible light that is far brighter than any halogen or sealed beam headlight, hence the name, high-intensity discharge. The xenon gas helps enable the arc’s initial start up. When electricity is applied to the tungsten electrodes an arc is created. The glass housing is filled with xenon gas and metal salts, usually sodium and mercury.

Halogen vs hid ballasts for cars