MY DIY HID headlight install
#21
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
They are just great. No problems, no one flashing us etc. We just came back from a trip to LA, and they really helped at night.
My next project(s) is to replace the high beam halogen lamps with a halogen bulb that has a 6000K light temperature, install the OEM fog lights, and replace the "wimpy" horn with a nice pair from a Porsche.
My next project(s) is to replace the high beam halogen lamps with a halogen bulb that has a 6000K light temperature, install the OEM fog lights, and replace the "wimpy" horn with a nice pair from a Porsche.
#22
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
Thanks for the great directions. I'm planning to take off the front bumper to replace the horn and fiddle with my foglights. Can you do the install with this off or do you still need to go through the front wheel wells?
#24
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
Last edited by sactoroy; 12-28-2006 at 02:16 PM.
#25
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
www.hid-lights.com has great kits for about $200. Avoid the made in China HID kits and get one where the ballast and igniter are one unit.
The Civic has a shield over the bulb which reduces glare when the HID kit is installed. Its not perfect but its doable. I would be very concerned about the long term effects of igniting the ballast exceeding (by far) the stock wiring systems capabilities. Might be fine for 1-2 years but a new harness will run you over a grand or more with labor.
The Civic has a shield over the bulb which reduces glare when the HID kit is installed. Its not perfect but its doable. I would be very concerned about the long term effects of igniting the ballast exceeding (by far) the stock wiring systems capabilities. Might be fine for 1-2 years but a new harness will run you over a grand or more with labor.
#26
Not true
www.hid-lights.com has great kits for about $200. Avoid the made in China HID kits and get one where the ballast and igniter are one unit.
The Civic has a shield over the bulb which reduces glare when the HID kit is installed. Its not perfect but its doable. I would be very concerned about the long term effects of igniting the ballast exceeding (by far) the stock wiring systems capabilities. Might be fine for 1-2 years but a new harness will run you over a grand or more with labor.
The Civic has a shield over the bulb which reduces glare when the HID kit is installed. Its not perfect but its doable. I would be very concerned about the long term effects of igniting the ballast exceeding (by far) the stock wiring systems capabilities. Might be fine for 1-2 years but a new harness will run you over a grand or more with labor.
I have to take issue with some of your statements. The Chinese products are very good quality. I would not hesitate in recommending any Chinese electronic product.
I'm not sure that I have ever seen a ballast/ignitor that is not one unit.
On the point of wiring harness under capacity, your points are completely without merit. The stock wiring and switching assemblies are designed for 55w and higher bulbs. The HID retrofit systems only draw 35w, so a danger to the lighting circuit is not an issue. Most retrofit systems include a fused and relay switched wiring harness that uses the stock lighting circuit to turn on and off the relay. This option is included for the uniformed or generally paranoid.
To the question about installing the ballasts with the front bumper removed.
Yes, it is easy to get at the mounting points that I have used with the bumper off, but you still have to move the front of the wheel liner out of the way. No differnce between 2006 and 2007 Civics.
There are a number of HID retrofit kits out there, and a number of vendors. Click here for the xenondepot, a reputable vendor
Good luck with it.
#27
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
We are talking chinese automotive lighting equipment, which is well regarded as inferior to Korean or Japanese made lighting equipment. Generalizing 'electronics' is off topic. Philips, Osram all use Korean made bulbs in their lines. I cannot think of one household name for Chinese made lighting products for automotive use.
Plenty of seperate ignitors, even in the OEM field. Offers different packaging solutions depending on your lamp design but for retrofit kits one unit is better for ease of install. The new D1S bulb used by Porsche, Audi etc. has an igniter built on to the bulb with a seperate ballast unit. Google it and now you've seen one
Im not talking running wattage, rather amperage, specifically the startup requirements to ignite a HID bulb. Harnesses are sometimes included not for the paranoid but for the simple fact that you will fry your stock harness as its not designed for the draw required on startup of the ballasts.
Stock bulbs will draw about 4-5 amps. HID ballasts will draw 15 or higher. This will blow fuses unless changed and fry stock harnesses over time....unless a HID kit harness is used to bypass the factory parts.
My points are clearly with merit and I can provide enough data to make your head spin to prove it But a simple google search is enough to prove my case for most potential customers.
Plenty of seperate ignitors, even in the OEM field. Offers different packaging solutions depending on your lamp design but for retrofit kits one unit is better for ease of install. The new D1S bulb used by Porsche, Audi etc. has an igniter built on to the bulb with a seperate ballast unit. Google it and now you've seen one
Im not talking running wattage, rather amperage, specifically the startup requirements to ignite a HID bulb. Harnesses are sometimes included not for the paranoid but for the simple fact that you will fry your stock harness as its not designed for the draw required on startup of the ballasts.
Stock bulbs will draw about 4-5 amps. HID ballasts will draw 15 or higher. This will blow fuses unless changed and fry stock harnesses over time....unless a HID kit harness is used to bypass the factory parts.
My points are clearly with merit and I can provide enough data to make your head spin to prove it But a simple google search is enough to prove my case for most potential customers.
#29
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
I just want to add dont let the fear of frying a harness scare you into not doing this mod, just make sure you use a harness that gets power direct from the battery.
But, the battery on the Hybrid is not a big one, I have no idea what its specs are so I would be a bit concerned over the long term effects.
Messing with the electricals is a whole new ball game on a Hybrid so do your homework.
But, the battery on the Hybrid is not a big one, I have no idea what its specs are so I would be a bit concerned over the long term effects.
Messing with the electricals is a whole new ball game on a Hybrid so do your homework.
#30
Re: MY DIY HID headlight install
I installed the same kit as the OP but opted for the battery harness. The only hitch was the seller forgot to provide the battery harness relay which necessitated 2 attempts before figuring out that was the problem. After I got the harness, the install was easy. I've attached a few pics of where I located the ballasts and harness.
Passenger side: Ballast is the box with the black and white wires exiting.
Driver side
Battery harness attached to battery.
Black box with writing is relay. I note that I pulled the harness up to take a picture.
The dang relay!
Now I need to upgrade the DRL and fog lamps to 6000K to match as they are awfully yellow.
Passenger side: Ballast is the box with the black and white wires exiting.
Driver side
Battery harness attached to battery.
Black box with writing is relay. I note that I pulled the harness up to take a picture.
The dang relay!
Now I need to upgrade the DRL and fog lamps to 6000K to match as they are awfully yellow.