Need some imput asap on these headlights
06-02-2009, 07:43 AM
#13
Moderator (Ret.)
My concern comes from the reply of a person who installed them and "burned up his factory wiring harness...". The factory headlights already come with a relay, to protect the headlight switch. This is something that has been done for many years now. I had a VW Vanagon that was famous for "eating" headlight switches; the current went through the headlight switch to the headlights, and would cause the copper contacts on nthe switch to pit and not operate the headlights. The fix was to install a relay.
Automotive manufacturures have been doing this now for years. Did the poster of that response mean to say that the relay burned up? The relay allows higher current to flow to the circuit (in this case the headlights) using a low current (headlight switch) to operate it.
I currently run the 8K "blue" HID low beam lamps, with no issues. The ballast boxes that come with my setup plug into the factory wiring; no overheating issues of the factory wiring at all. I don't see why the 10K would be any different, other than the ballast boxes that drive them.
Sounds like a bum install to me.
Automotive manufacturures have been doing this now for years. Did the poster of that response mean to say that the relay burned up? The relay allows higher current to flow to the circuit (in this case the headlights) using a low current (headlight switch) to operate it.
I currently run the 8K "blue" HID low beam lamps, with no issues. The ballast boxes that come with my setup plug into the factory wiring; no overheating issues of the factory wiring at all. I don't see why the 10K would be any different, other than the ballast boxes that drive them.
Sounds like a bum install to me.
06-02-2009, 11:01 AM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Relays in place are for factory headlights and lighting. High Intensity Discharge lights are not factory issue on Ford F150s, so up to you if you would rather take the precautions to avoid issues, as proven by said guy that installed the cheapo HID kit on his 07 FX4 and melted the factory wiring. His was a plug and play ballast system too, pretty hard to mess up plugging in an orientated connection.
My reason for posting was just a heads up for the topic starter that felt he knew what he wanted in headlights, and appears now that he doesn't know what he wants in lights,
I've looked at about a dozen different styles of aftermarket lights in the last 2 months and still cannot decide, but what I have noticed is that these cheapo HID kits are approximately the same price as the projectors or angel eyes. He asked for opinions, I gave him one from someone that most certainly is regretting the bottom dollar price he paid for his HIDs. Not entirely sure where you got what color he was using though, as I never mentioned if it was a 6/8/10/12k kit.Forgive the tone if it sounds like I'm starting a donnybrook with ye.
Last edited by Thrillhouse; 06-02-2009 at 11:32 AM.
06-02-2009, 05:36 PM
#16
Moderator (Ret.)
Or a bum product. If you're paying 160.00 for a set of HIDs ( not these aftermarket Angel Eyes these guys are talking about ) off eBay, they simply cannot be of the same quality of an efficient HID system costing 500.00+, or do you disagree? If I remember correctly, I replied, with photos, to your topic of all LED 3rd brake lights having issues with the cruise control, when it appears only you are the one having the problem with all that have replied. So, bad product, or 'bum install' that's plaguing your light from working correctly?
Relays in place are for factory headlights and lighting. High Intensity Discharge lights are not factory issue on Ford F150s, so up to you if you would rather take the precautions to avoid issues, as proven by said guy that installed the cheapo HID kit on his 07 FX4 and melted the factory wiring. His was a plug and play ballast system too, pretty hard to mess up plugging in an orientated connection.
My reason for posting was just a heads up for the topic starter that felt he knew what he wanted in headlights, and appears now that he doesn't know what he wants in lights, I've looked at about a dozen different styles of aftermarket lights in the last 2 months and still cannot decide, but what I have noticed is that these cheapo HID kits are approximately the same price as the projectors or angel eyes. He asked for opinions, I gave him one from someone that most certainly is regretting the bottom dollar price he paid for his HIDs. Not entirely sure where you got what color he was using though, as I never mentioned if it was a 6/8/10/12k kit.
Forgive the tone if it sounds like I'm starting a donnybrook with ye.
Relays in place are for factory headlights and lighting. High Intensity Discharge lights are not factory issue on Ford F150s, so up to you if you would rather take the precautions to avoid issues, as proven by said guy that installed the cheapo HID kit on his 07 FX4 and melted the factory wiring. His was a plug and play ballast system too, pretty hard to mess up plugging in an orientated connection.
My reason for posting was just a heads up for the topic starter that felt he knew what he wanted in headlights, and appears now that he doesn't know what he wants in lights,
I've looked at about a dozen different styles of aftermarket lights in the last 2 months and still cannot decide, but what I have noticed is that these cheapo HID kits are approximately the same price as the projectors or angel eyes. He asked for opinions, I gave him one from someone that most certainly is regretting the bottom dollar price he paid for his HIDs. Not entirely sure where you got what color he was using though, as I never mentioned if it was a 6/8/10/12k kit.Forgive the tone if it sounds like I'm starting a donnybrook with ye.
I have bought, and installed, two sets of HID kits; both were the "blue" 8K units for under a hundred bucks. They both were low beam HID's only. Never had the factory headlight harness get even warm; and HID's work just fine. One set that is installed on my son's Dodge 2005 Neon SRT-4 has been working for over 2 years now; never an issue. My 2005 F150 has had a set for over 9 months, also with no wiring issues. Same company.
As to the 3rd brake light issue, I posted my further findings: I found that indeed the 3rd brake light assembly does not effect the cruise control at all, but it was the 3157 LED bulbs in the tail light housings. When I removed them, the cruise worked. I have since then talked first hand with those who have installed LED circuit tail light housings, and they too have no effect on the cruise, as the manufacturers install a "load balancer" in the circuit, something not found in just an LED bulb to replace the stock filiment bulb.
I'm always the first to re-post findings when I discover them, especially when I post wrong initial findings. You can count on that. Search on cluster swaps; you'll find countless posts by me from my direct experience. I have bought 4 different clusters to test the "swap" compatibility, just to prove the or dis-prove the myths on them.
In owning many old Fiats, VW's, MG's, and a Jaguar, I had to learn wiring and the good use of relays quite quickly to put those cars back on the road. That is why I was puzzled by the response of the wiring "burning up", as the stock low beams in our F150's use a 20 amp fuse (no relay); this should blow well before the stock wiring will burn up. The high beams and fog lights (when equipped) use relays. I would not think the 8K or 10K ballast for the HID kits would draw anymore then 20 amps, and if they did, the fuse would blow. Now if that person put a higher rated fuse in the circuit, all bets are off of course.
Were these HID's the low beam and high beam type? Or were they for the fog lights? In any event, the fuse or relay would trip, preventing the wiring harness from burning, unless this was bypassed.
I really get off when I read that someone bypasses a fuse, or installs some electrical circuit that is unprotected. They are asking for a potential fire, which harms them as well as inocent folks that share the road with them.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 06-02-2009 at 05:54 PM.
06-02-2009, 07:12 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am considering getting the halo projector lights also. I am worried about the install as well. Is it pretty easy or do you have to make a lot of modifications to the OEM wiring. I found a site where you can get them brand new for 199 if anyone wants them.
http://www.k2motor.com/lhp-f15004jmb-tm.html
http://www.k2motor.com/lhp-f15004jmb-tm.html
06-03-2009, 12:55 AM
#20
Senior Member
