HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
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I am Epic
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Rep Power: 0 HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
I was just wondering what is better, DC or AC ballasts? One person tells me AC is better quality, bulbs will last longer, run cooler, no flicker. Another says DC is better cause its much longer lasting, more durable, no flicker, etc
AC is made of plastic and the ultra slim type while DC is made of metal and bigger.
AC is made of plastic and the ultra slim type while DC is made of metal and bigger.
Last edited by Civicnoobie; 03-10-2014 at 01:20 AM.
#2
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Re: Can someone help me hook up my new HID kit?
What the heck kit did you get? If the connection works and it's just a matter of the connectors not staying in, you could electric tape the crap out of the connection. If it doesn't work at all, you might be able to find what you need at a RadioShack or something.
#3
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Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
As long as it's a high-quality ballast I don't see why it matters. You're not going to have any of those problems with a high-quality ballast
AC voltage is more likely to cause a Flicker but if the frequency is high enough you will not be able to see it. I would say its more efficient to keep it DC because there's no inverting needed to make it AC.
AC voltage is more likely to cause a Flicker but if the frequency is high enough you will not be able to see it. I would say its more efficient to keep it DC because there's no inverting needed to make it AC.
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Rep Power: 0 Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
As long as it's a high-quality ballast I don't see why it matters. You're not going to have any of those problems with a high-quality ballast
AC voltage is more likely to cause a Flicker but if the frequency is high enough you will not be able to see it. I would say its more efficient to keep it DC because there's no inverting needed to make it AC.
AC voltage is more likely to cause a Flicker but if the frequency is high enough you will not be able to see it. I would say its more efficient to keep it DC because there's no inverting needed to make it AC.
My only concern is that the bulbs that came with the kit are AC and I was told if you run AC bulbs off DC ballasts, it will shorten the life of your bulb. I was told DC HID bulbs are very rare to find, almost impossible cause pretty much all these DC ballast HID kids you can buy today have AC bulbs. Anyone have more insight on this and how important it is to match AC bulb with AC ballast and DC bulb with DC ballast?
Just spoke with an electrician and he said the way to tell from a AC to DC HID bulb is to look at the two wires coming from it. If its one black and one red its DC. If its two red or two black its AC. He said pretty much all bulbs that come with HID kits come with DC bulbs. I hope this is true.
Last edited by Civicnoobie; 03-10-2014 at 10:46 AM.
#7
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Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
I tried to measure my Morimotos but I was unable to get access to the clip from the engine compartment. I then tried to go under the car through the wheel-well but couldn't fit because my car is too low. Next time I have it up on ramps I will measure.
TRS would be able to answer all your questions, at least what kind of voltage they use and why.
TRS would be able to answer all your questions, at least what kind of voltage they use and why.
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Rep Power: 130 Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
@GolNat: sorry if this was covered before, but do you recommend Denso ballasts over TRS's ballasts for an HID retrofit? Just to get an idea of what the job is going to cost me from someone who might have them. If the kit ones don't have any disadvantages over the Densos I'll save quite a bit (think they're +$100 on TRS' online build sheet)...
#12
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Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
@GolNat: sorry if this was covered before, but do you recommend Denso ballasts over TRS's ballasts for an HID retrofit? Just to get an idea of what the job is going to cost me from someone who might have them. If the kit ones don't have any disadvantages over the Densos I'll save quite a bit (think they're +$100 on TRS' online build sheet)...
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Rep Power: 130 Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
Ah thanks Poopies -- I'll look around online for the how-to for 'pot'-ing the ballast. Sounds like something I definitely would've done to it, had it been on my Seattle DD commuter motorcycle.
#14
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Re: HID kits: AC or DC ballasts? Which is better and why?
Like Poopies said the warm up time is faster with the Denso. I believe they also have a longer lifetime expectancy (cant remember from TRS website). I like my Morimoto's and think they work well on the civic.
I don't know what Acura uses but the HID's on my wife's TL warms up really fast. The projectors also put out a beautiful spread of light with a nice cutoff.
I don't know what Acura uses but the HID's on my wife's TL warms up really fast. The projectors also put out a beautiful spread of light with a nice cutoff.
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