55 Watt HID kits

[Gunzz]

I have done a search and have not found anyone posts about the 55 watt bi-HID conversion kits installed in their trucks. I see alot about the 35 watt versions but nothing specific to the 55 watt models. If anyone has done it, or if anyone has knowledge of the headlight circuit maybe you can help me with a question.

Regular stock headlights in our H2 are said to use 8 to 15 amps when in use. The 55 watt conversion HID kits with the digital ballasts are said to use about 6 amps however they can use up to 20 amps for initial startup. My question is will the stock wiring and headlight switch handle this initial power demand or is it necessary to use the additional relay kits? Manufacturer says it's ok without the relay and it is plug and play, however want to check with others first before I listen to them and fry the wiring or switch.

[RippSpeed]

Originally Posted by Gunzz

I have done a search and have not found anyone posts about the 55 watt bi-HID conversion kits installed in their trucks. I see alot about the 35 watt versions but nothing specific to the 55 watt models. If anyone has done it, or if anyone has knowledge of the headlight circuit maybe you can help me with a question.

Regular stock headlights in our H2 are said to use 8 to 15 amps when in use. The 55 watt conversion HID kits with the digital ballasts are said to use about 6 amps however they can use up to 20 amps for initial startup. My question is will the stock wiring and headlight switch handle this initial power demand or is it necessary to use the additional relay kits? Manufacturer says it's ok without the relay and it is plug and play, however want to check with others first before I listen to them and fry the wiring or switch.

I have them on but too them off because with the 35watt the BiXenon works but with the 55watt there isnt enough power to power both... My passenger side keeps dying on me ... So I took them off until the manufacturer helps me out...

You wont fry any wiring or switches but You definitly have issues of it working right especially with our automatic headlights on feature ... The 55watt kit should have its own harness; the ballast will plug into the harness and then into the ballast ... The wiring harness gets its input from your factory plug to turn on. The it kicks the ballast on... Most of the kits I've bought comes with a direct power from the battery, but for some reason my 55watts arent getting enough power... So I have another upgraded harness I can try with them and see if they will work ... I'll try it later on tonight when I get home...


But, either way... There is a upgraded wiring harness that my dealer can sell me to boost my wattage to the HID harness that would help...

[dochummer]

I bought mine from these guys, it was pretty much plug and play. Haven't had any problems...55w bi-xenon... Has the ballasts and relay/harness...

http://www.retro-solutions.com/HondaTechGB.html - $160 otd...

[Gunzz]

These are the exact ones I am looking at. So no problems so far? How do you like the lights? Alot of difference?

[RippSpeed]

Originally Posted by dochummer

I bought mine from these guys, it was pretty much plug and play. Haven't had any problems...55w bi-xenon... Has the ballasts and relay/harness...

http://www.retro-solutions.com/HondaTechGB.html - $160 otd...

I'm the one the posted that website... I've bought 3 kits from them. But it seems this one is giving me issues... Maybe its my ground ... Hey dochummer can you post pics of how you installed yours ??? Like where did you put the balast and where you tapped the ground cable ???

[porschett]

I'll take a pic of my set up this morning after I wake up!

[porschett]

Here's the pics

[RippSpeed]

Originally Posted by porschett

Here's the pics

thanx for the pics bro ... I always wondered with the hood close would we have enough room there...

but where did you tie in the ground cable ??? Did you ground them at the horns ????

[dochummer]

Here you go. I grounded mine to the horn mounts on both driver and passenger sides . Hey, it works. I checked with a meter and they work fine. The Ballasts were mounted with some shorter screws that I had on my bench, and fit perfectly next to the headlamps. The relay was just zip-tied to the wires coming through next to the horn. I then tapped the power from the post under the fuse box cover. I left the original plugs close to the headlamps so I can swap back easily if I need to.

Overall, a lot brighter than the silverstars I had. The light isn't as "smooth" as with my wife's vehicle (stock HID's). It seems there are some darker spots than others. Most likely just the reflector not spreading it as well... She was driving it tonight and noted that 2 or 3 people flashed their brights at her so I've gotta re-aim them also...

[porschett]

Originally Posted by RippSpeed

thanx for the pics bro ... I always wondered with the hood close would we have enough room there...

but where did you tie in the ground cable ??? Did you ground them at the horns ????

I came off the lights with a 10 gauge wire and ran it to the alternator mounting bracket. No better ground than that !!

[RippSpeed]

Originally Posted by porschett

I came off the lights with a 10 gauge wire and ran it to the alternator mounting bracket. No better ground than that !!

I've been mounting them in the horn location...

I guess I have to wait for retor-solutions first and if they replace my wiring harness or kit ... I'll modify the replacement harness that way and ground it to the alternator and power it by tapping the power in the fuse box...

[Gunzz]

So I guess in reality the retro-solutions kit is not just plug in. Do they come with the necessary relay kits or are the relays extra?

[dochummer]

In my case, it came with everything. The only thing I added were the 4 shorter screws to mount the ballasts. Everything else came with the kit and just plugged in or zipped on.

[pdxrealtor]

BUMP-=

Is everyone still happy with this kit?

Did you get the problem fixed Rip-Speed?

I'm used to HID lights.... coming from OEM HID to the HUMMER was a big difference.

I'd like to get a set of HIDs and then use the DTR lights as fog lights if it's not too much of a pain.

[pteam]

I feel kinda like I'm a light expert by now. First I do get occasionally flashed with my 35w HID headlights. I'm not sure if everybody above really is sure they have 55w HIDs, those are RARE and you will probably get flashed up and down every street with lights that bright and the hummer being so high compared to regular cars.

I do think there is a better solution is what I've done (pics below). Put HID fog lights in and extra brush guard lights. Note you cant put HIDs in the fog light DRL housing, you have to take the housing out and put a new enclosed ballast. You can find em on ebay for $200 enclosed and ready to go. I drive with my headlights only on if there is alot of traffic around me. When there is little traffic around me or no traffic but on a main road I use my HID fog lights which almost doubles the power. Then if I'm on a side road with no traffic or offroad then I will put on my super powered brush guard HID lights. Those are not a flood type but a beam type and I have the pointed high and they light up two kinda big spots on the road right in front of you and theyre ultra bright. Its nice because you can flick a switch and control how much light you have.

Also of note I had roof mounted offroad lights before and took them off. The setup I have now is superior to them. IF you ever add offroad roof mounted lights I would suggest they HAVE to be HID. Without HID they dont have enough power to light up stuff unless your really close to the object. Plus I dont have the wind drag having lights on the roof and losing more MPG. Plus you will never be able to use these onroad as I've gotten tickets in my h1 before for using the roof mounted offroad lights down a dark side road and turning them off as soon as you see a car. Well if that car is a cop they'll give you a ticket or at least a warning everytime, even for turning them off.

[porschett]

Two years now and NO problems!

I've been stopped by other H2 owners, asking me where I got em'. Everyone that I know seems to be happy. Like I said before, It's the best mod I made to the truck. No more outdriving the headlights!

[pdxrealtor]

Porscette I forget do you have the 55 WATT?? If so do you get flashed?

4300 ??

What about you p......what color temp and watts?

[06 SUT]

For all that have these installled, do you, or have you run acroos any problems with the "auto" feature of the headlights. For example, when you first install the key and start the truck. Does this pose any problems with the interruption of power? I had them, but one would kick itself off at times during startup, but would work normally afterwards. Thanks

[porschett]

Never flashed and no startup problems. When they first come on, it's like they're powering up, but it's only for about 2 seconds.

[pdxrealtor]

LOL I see by the title this is a "55 watt" thread so I'm guessing you have the 55 watter.

I saw a picture and they look good when on... not a lot of glare, but it was dusk, not dark, and cams probably play a role in distortion of pictures on the forum.

06-- I read of the OP of the link to the kit having that problem, and that the supplier gave him a harness with a capacitor in it... solved the problem.