HID Dip Beam issues

[X5-D-Sport]

Hello people, here is one i'm trying to fathom an answer to.

I have 65watt HID after market units fitted to my 2005 D-Sport Main Beam & Dip Beams to replace the faulty OEM units.

The Main Beam units light up perfectly, no problems... Nice & Bright & totally reliable.

The Dips will occasionally flicker & one only will go out regularly.

Originally I had these powered up via relays, but the relays often failed - even tho each was rated at 40 amps.

Currently these HIDs are wired directly into the original bulb power sockets for their operation & power.

I am at a loss as to why the Dip Beam units are giving me trouble.

Any one got any ideas (other than scrapping the vehicle)

thanks in advance.
Grant B

[Greydog]

Sounds like something is wrong in the wiring for it to blow a relay?
Did the car have originally the OEM HID dip beam H7 halogen main beam set up? Is it legal?

My son had issues with HID spotlights fitted to his Toyota Pickup he is a tree surgeon so often is properly Off Road in the dark early morning and late afternoons. He fitted them as a replacement for the OEM spots he has an Auto electrician friend and it caused them some head scratching.
He had similar issues flicker then dropping out in the end he fitted a relay harness from the lamp supplier wired directly to the battery. They also had to shield the ballasts from the OEM Headlamp ballasts.

[Alan Gunn]

65 or 55 watt.
Where did you get them from also did this start straight away after fitting.

[X5Sport]

40A at 12V is 480W! Any idea what the ballasts themselves draw during the ‘ignition’ phase of bulb start? It might be that the ignition phase draws enough to cook the relay over time. Combined I suppose they might draw enough but that’s still a lot of current.

I’m assuming that the ballasts were also replaced and you now have 4 off rated for the bulbs type fitted (one per lamp)?

Given these are arc lights it has to be a voltage drop causing the arc to extinguish/flicker and ballast isn’t responding.

A wiring diagram of your set up would help.

[X5-D-Sport]

I think I have nailed the issue,

The ballast units for each of the (offending) dip bulbs are 75 watts, & draw 12 amps each at the ignition stage of illumination.
Additionally, they seem fine until the vehicle does its silly light flashing exercise to test its bulbs.

The ballast sets on the main beans operate 9-16 volts, are 65 watts & have anti flicker capacitors built in, & operate just fine.

The dip beam ballasts are 75 watts, no anti flicker capabilities, and are 12-16volts operation...
so the slightest adverse conditions will upset them.

I have just ordered a set of 55watt ballast units, 9-16volts & canbus compatible with anti flicker... so these should solve the issue i think.

[X5Sport]

Sounds like a plan ...