My Current and future modifications...

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:58 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
I did a web search on this and found the following....for running a HID using a higher rated ballast.

"The answer is no it usn't safe given the lamp will run at higher (thermal not colour) temperatures than the manufacturer's spec calls for and higher pressures which combined could cause premature capsule/bulb explosion/failure. The ballast serves three functions. It provides the proper starting voltage to establish the arc. Second, it supplies the proper voltage to operate the lamp. Third, the ballast limits the lamp current to a level prescribed by the lamp manufacturer for the particular type of lamp being used. Ballasts must always be matched to the particular lamp type, wattage, and line voltage being used. Never use a ballast for any lamp, installation or purpose other than for which it has been specifically designed."

It might be brighter, but that will come with a potential 'cost'. The UV filter will also be less effective which could cause premature 'ageing' of the plastics in the lamp unit. There's a reason these things are done the way they are, but it's still impressive.....

Richard
[/quote]

Well that's interesting but isn't that similair to all the types of warnings you get on many things.....a pessimistic backside saving statement? If this were say Philips or Osram or such then I'd be inclined to think they had "standards" but the origin of these kits gives me a feeling the standards are "wooly". I think in one of those Utube vids there was a suggestion that the ballasts could range from military spec to something knocked up from the back of a spare drawer

dunno on this :noexpression:

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:45 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
I did a web search on this and found the following....for running a HID using a higher rated ballast.

"The answer is no it usn't safe given the lamp will run at higher (thermal not colour) temperatures than the manufacturer's spec calls for and higher pressures which combined could cause premature capsule/bulb explosion/failure. The ballast serves three functions. It provides the proper starting voltage to establish the arc. Second, it supplies the proper voltage to operate the lamp. Third, the ballast limits the lamp current to a level prescribed by the lamp manufacturer for the particular type of lamp being used. Ballasts must always be matched to the particular lamp type, wattage, and line voltage being used. Never use a ballast for any lamp, installation or purpose other than for which it has been specifically designed."

It might be brighter, but that will come with a potential 'cost'. The UV filter will also be less effective which could cause premature 'ageing' of the plastics in the lamp unit. There's a reason these things are done the way they are, but it's still impressive.....

Richard
[/quote]

I had a good chat to a couple of companies regarding the hid bulbs and they all said that the bulbs are rated to cope with up to 55w ballasts anyway (I think they said bulbs were 60w). The only ones they have seen different are for these 75w kits as they do use 75w rated bulbs. This is the reason I'm going to 55w ballasts and not 75w. They said that the reason for the bulbs being rated is that it is cheaper to actually manufacture one bulb rating for both 35w/55w (which are most common) kits than to have individual rated ones for each kit (keeps the cost of production down).

My thinking too is that with hid bulbs as it is the ballast providing the power then you would allow more tolerance in the bulb for longevity. Similar theory to a car engine, where the engine itself is the bulb and the ecu the ballast. The engine can cope with a lot more power but the ecu is de-tuned to wear the engine less, so the standard ballast is 35w whereas the bulb is 60w so the bulbs longevity is increased. Works for me anyway....PMSL.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:52 pm

Kinda makes sense.......and it seems to work so there has to be something in it. I've done a couple more searches as my engineering curiosity has been piqued, and there's actually a lot of debate about it. No one has had a bulb explode on 55W Ballasts so hard to tell if the earlier statement is purely engineering view (which is how it reads) or based on 'pushing the envelope'. It's another of those "do I change the gearbox oil" type things I suspect.

But that is what modding is all about.....

R

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:57 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
Kinda makes sense.......and it seems to work so there has to be something in it. I've done a couple more searches as my engineering curiosity has been piqued, and there's actually a lot of debate about it. No one has had a bulb explode on 55W Ballasts so hard to tell if the earlier statement is purely engineering view (which is how it reads) or based on 'pushing the envelope'. It's another of those "do I change the gearbox oil" type things I suspect.

But that is what modding is all about.....

R
[/quote]

I'll see how long my bulbs last once 55w ballasts are added. At least the X will last longer anyway as I'll actually be able to see at night..... :-[

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:05 pm

I am giving mine 3 months to withstand the power of 75w ballast

Than i'll have a reason to get the 55w

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:11 pm

[quote="kkodal78"]
I am giving mine 3 months to withstand the power of 75w ballast

Than i'll have a reason to get the 55w
[/quote]

Lol

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:14 pm

Raj
Where are you getting your 55w ballasts from?
I have got a friend who wants to upgrade to 55s as well. He is got a US spec honda.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:27 pm

[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj
Where are you getting your 55w ballasts from?
I have got a friend who wants to upgrade to 55s as well. He is got a US spec honda.
[/quote]

I'll let you know once I've decided which ones to go with.

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:18 pm

I have received the bulb connectors. All three of them

I really don't have any desire ir strength to go install them. Just had a jaw syrgery on tuesday and still trying to get back on my feet without the help of percocet.
I'll post pics once i get around installing the oe bulbs back in with 75w ballasts.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:27 pm

[quote="kkodal78"]
I have received the bulb connectors. All three of them

I really don't have any desire ir strength to go install them. Just had a jaw syrgery on tuesday and still trying to get back on my feet without the help of percocet.
I'll post pics once i get around installing the oe bulbs back in with 75w ballasts.
[/quote]

Hope the recovery is swift buddy.

Got my bulb connectors but need to order the ballasts still.

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:34 pm

[quote="Raj"]
[quote="kkodal78"]
I have received the bulb connectors. All three of them

I really don't have any desire ir strength to go install them. Just had a jaw syrgery on tuesday and still trying to get back on my feet without the help of percocet.
I'll post pics once i get around installing the oe bulbs back in with 75w ballasts.
[/quote]

Got my bulb connectors but need to order the ballasts still.
[/quote]
Waiting for your decision on that one:)
In case my bulbs wouldn't last the 3 month period , i want to be prepared:)

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:22 pm

I am heading to the states in a few weeks, so i thought i'd just ask if anyone needs anything i can carry or ship for their X5s from stateside?
I'll say this though, no naughty requests will be taken in consideration

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:40 am

[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj
Where are you getting your 55w ballasts from?
I have got a friend who wants to upgrade to 55s as well. He is got a US spec honda.
[/quote]

I've spoken to a couple of companies and currently best price I can get is £48 delivered for one pair of 55w digital slim canbus ballasts. Hmmm it's not silly money more to get a complete kit...lol.

I spoke to hids direct, carmodshop and one off eBay.

Not sure which to go with or if you can get some cheaper stateside.

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:10 am

[quote="Raj"]
[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj
Where are you getting your 55w ballasts from?
I have got a friend who wants to upgrade to 55s as well. He is got a US spec honda.
[/quote]

I've spoken to a couple of companies and currently best price I can get is £48 delivered for one pair of 55w digital slim canbus ballasts. Hmmm it's not silly money more to get a complete kit...lol.

I spoke to hids direct, carmodshop and one off eBay.

Not sure which to go with or if you can get some cheaper stateside.
[/quote]
i can definetely get it cheaper than that from stateside. i'll give it a try and see. let me know if you already saw anything on fleabay that i can get in touch with. i'll be in states in two weeks so worst case scenario i can have shipped to my sister's hand hand carry them here.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:56 am

[quote="kkodal78"]
[quote="Raj"]
[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj
Where are you getting your 55w ballasts from?
I have got a friend who wants to upgrade to 55s as well. He is got a US spec honda.
[/quote]

I've spoken to a couple of companies and currently best price I can get is £48 delivered for one pair of 55w digital slim canbus ballasts. Hmmm it's not silly money more to get a complete kit...lol.

I spoke to hids direct, carmodshop and one off eBay.

Not sure which to go with or if you can get some cheaper stateside.
[/quote]
i can definetely get it cheaper than that from stateside. i'll give it a try and see. let me know if you already saw anything on fleabay that i can get in touch with. i'll be in states in two weeks so worst case scenario i can have shipped to my sister's hand hand carry them here.
[/quote

I'll have a look but they need to be digital slim canbus ones.

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