HID Headlight Bulbs / HID Projector Retrofit

Spurshot · December 11, 2014

Which retrofit is pretty much a plug and play for the Sierra?

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I believe the Rigid D series has a mounting kit that some have used here. That kit with the new light above, would be a great street legal and useful fog light. We should move over to the other thread if this is going much further.

Silverado guys should check out "Baggedvintera" white truck with the quad Rigid D series lights. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/156170-led-fog-bulbs-lights/page-26?do=findComment&comment=1540288

Edited December 11, 2014 by spurshot

henrypbui · December 12, 2014

For those Sierras that have done retrofits, have any of you guys thought of cutting up the oem shroud and pushing the projectors further forward? It seems as if the shrouds deflect our light beam a slight bit and may hinder our projection of light to the sides. I remember reading some where on hidplanet.com that another Sierra owner had a weird light output in a particular spot caused by probably the shroud. Any input from those of you that have done retrofits? I believe he had the fx-r projectors in there but I can not seem to find the thread.

Spurshot · December 12, 2014

For those Sierras that have done retrofits, have any of you guys thought of cutting up the oem shroud and pushing the projectors further forward? It seems as if the shrouds deflect our light beam a slight bit and may hinder our projection of light to the sides. I remember reading some where on hidplanet.com that another Sierra owner had a weird light output in a particular spot caused by probably the shroud. Any input from those of you that have done retrofits? I believe he had the fx-r projectors in there but I can not seem to find the thread.

I guess I haven't seen this issue in the threads. This one looks pretty decent. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/152762-hid-headlight-bulbs-hid-projector-retrofit/page-33

morrislee · December 12, 2014

So I was discussing with Mike1220, and I have noticed that my 35w HID kit never needed a relay harness. My connection goes like this:

stock power -> Ballast (Hylux) -> HID bulb

Noticed, I dont have relay, and nothing goes directly to the battery.

Anyone with 55W HIDs that did not use a relay? From my experience, hooking up anything directly to the unregulated power source is always a bad idea, and I was surprised that so many of the kits asks the user to use them. I am hoping the ballast has some sort of protection....

Many has:

stock power -> relay harness -> ballast -> HID bulb

Spurshot · December 12, 2014

Morris,

From what little I've read, the ballasts tend to be voltage variation tolerant. But your comment about an unregulated power source got me thinking. Our whole vehicle is on the battery. Aren't batteries a common method of regulating component voltage in a circuit? I'm not an electrical engineer, just to level set. The alternator output is regulated, usually to something like 14.5 volts.

Crf450r420 · December 12, 2014

I believe the harness is to protect the factory wiring and if not it still does. It also provides a good power to the ballast when DRL is not, so with no capacitor or harness it's not likely yours work as DRL or they should flash. If you have seen what these do to relays over time you would probably want to add a harness so that you know your factory wiring will remain good for the future. Much rather replace that cheaper harness than fix the factory one.

Crf450r420 · December 12, 2014

Spurshot is right. The system is regulated as far as voltage and the current will be limited by hopefully the fuse and not the wire, if designed right. Has anyone measured the draw of one of these systems?

morrislee · December 12, 2014

Thanks for the response guys, but what I meant for the regulated voltages are thr fact that any where I measure under the steering wheel is constantly 11.8 to 11.9. Nothing above 12

This makes me think that all the voltages goes through to any components has been protected to prevent over power. But battery will go as hgh as 14.5.

So why not take advantage of the regulated safer voltage instead the kits advise to use power directly from battery. My HID kit never asked or needed a relay and it works just fine.

Still, i would like to know if anyone did not use a relay for theur HID kits, especially if it was a 55w kit

LongrangeLauber · December 12, 2014

Doesn't the harness just help provide extra amperage during startup to help get the bulbs heated up quicker? Also to take the load off of the factory harness

Sent while in 'Murica...

morrislee · December 12, 2014

I havent seen how they are physically wired up, I cant say. But i would think that they are not as they are not connected in parallel. Relay is a electrical switch to bridge a connection.

Someone used a 55w bulb halogen in the stock conmector, so why would 55w HIDs be more of a problem? Needless to say, HIDs are more effecient, so it draws the 55w at first and the voltage required to run drops after. Take loss in efficiency in the ballasts, take 10-15%, a 5-7 watt difference on top

LongrangeLauber · December 12, 2014

The harness is usually because the stock wiring will cause some lower grade HID'S not to light up or flicker

Sent while in 'Murica...

Spurshot · December 13, 2014

The harness is usually because the stock wiring will cause some lower grade HID'S not to light up or flicker

Sent while in 'Murica...

I believe the in-rush current of some OEM (good guy) ballasts is higher than some of the laughter market stuff. A high current capable circuit is important to consistant good performance.

LongrangeLauber · December 13, 2014

I have two sets of HID'S on my 02. The low beams are hooked to a harness but the fogs aren't. I'm about to install high beams as well. All will be and have been DDM. Have not had a single problem with them and they will continue to get my business.

For my 14 I will get two sets of HID'S (lows and highs) through DDM but both will have a harness.

LED'S will be used in the fogs due to numerous reports of housings discoloring/ melting with HID'S

Sent while in 'Murica...