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Question for the guys who put HIDs in the fogs...

8K views 37 replies 16 participants last post by  Redcivic47 
#1 ·
I received my XenonDepot 5202 (H16) kit today. The kit comes with an optional relay wiring harness as well.

Question: Do I NEED to utilize the relay or can I just plug the OEM fog light plug into the HID ballast, since all the ballast needs is +12 and ground.

I assume the OEM fog light wiring is already fused and relay'ed, no? If so, I don't see the need to run an additional +12 and a relay.

Thanks in advance...

Peter
 
#3 · (Edited)
I'm totally with you Scott...just hate running wires where there aren't supposed to be any...

From my research on the net:

Most aftermarket HID kits require relays because the starting load is approximately 15 amps per ballast. Halogen lights require a 7 amp starting load, so typical OEM headlight circuits are designed to support 7 amps starting load and 4.5 amps continuous load. Repeatedly pulling a combined 30 amps on fire-up on a system designed to handle 14 amps on fire-up could clearly hurt the truck's electronics.

HOWEVER...the Xenondepot HID kit I bought has a <4.5 amp starting load, per ballast (according to Xenondepot's spec page). So, that's a 9 amp starting load on a system designed to handle a 14 amp starting load.

In theory, I SHOULD be ok, right?
 
#5 ·
I agree with the OP - if they actually run at an initial and sustained current draw of less than the stock bulbs there is no need to run a new wire. I hate running wires if I don't have to. It would be good to get specifics of the actual stock bulb and not the typical one.

Current draw of all the other things have nothing to do with this fused circuit (unless they are actually on the same fuse, which I doubt).
 
#6 ·
Saturday I'm going to use my Power Probe III and do a load test on the halogen fog lights. I'll check the load on initial turn-on, sustained load, and vlotage drop when all the accessories on the truck are turned on. Then I'm going to do the same for an HID ballast.

If the HID ballasts require less amperage then the hallogen bulbs, in theory there's no need for additional relays and fuses aside from the OEM circuit.
 
#7 ·
Run the relay also to save yourself some time you are going to have to shave one of the small guides on the 5202 otherwise the bulb won't fit.
 
#8 ·
RyeGuy is correct however, if you shave them all off it seems to go in even better...just my experience....but a minimum you have to do the one that is by itself (i.e. there are two on one side and one opposite).
 
#10 · (Edited)
Oh...and regarding the RELAY issue, I might have answered my own question:

The OEM fog light bulbs are the PSX24W. They're 24W. Using the calculation:

I (amps) = P (wattage) / E (batt voltage), the OEM load is around 2 amps per bulb at 12 volts (vehicle not running), and 1.76 amps at 13.6 volts (vehicle running).

The HID's (per ballast) require < 4.5 amps at startup and a little less while running. Thats double the draw of the OEM hallogens.

In my second post above, I used incorrect figures for our fog light circuits. I used the figures for a 55W fog light bulb, thus throwing off the TRUE current draw.

Verdict: I'm using the relays.

And here's some interesting info on the PSX24W in case anyone's interested:

http://www.wbbr.nl/projects/philips/site/cms/productmodule/pdf/Pis_558%5B1%5D.pdf
 
#12 ·
pbalias:

Are you installing these in WK2?
 
#20 ·
Sorry guys...

Everything went in well and the HIDs in the fog lights are AWESOME. Just haven had too much time to sit down and do the write up. I'll probably have it up Wednesday sometime, as I have about 6 hours to kill at the airport.
Thanks PB, any heat challenges or plastic deformation with the new kit? Would be interested in your review after you've had those puppies lit up for a few hours. Would love a set here for mountain driving. Cheers.
 
#29 ·
Guys,

I know i promised this write up for this morning but I just couldn't finish it. It's almost (70%) complete but I have 78 pictures and am having issues with posting them all in one post. According to the mods here, I have to split them up into 4 different posts. Therefore, I'm writing the DIY in HTML in MS Wordpad. Hopefully I'll have it all knocked out tomorrow night. It's a PITA but I think well worth it in the end.
 
#32 ·
Guys,

I know i promised this write up for this morning but I just couldn't finish it. It's almost (70%) complete but I have 78 pictures and am having issues with posting them all in one post. According to the mods here, I have to split them up into 4 different posts. Therefore, I'm writing the DIY in HTML in MS Wordpad. Hopefully I'll have it all knocked out tomorrow night. It's a PITA but I think well worth it in the end.
Thanks a million for the effort your putting into this. We really appreciate it!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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