Definitive HID upgrade

I just did a web search and HID radio interferrence is pretty common and nobody appears to have a solution for it. Some cite poor quality ballasts as a cause due to lack of proper sheilding.

I'm going to mail autobulbs and ask them to comment.
 
I got a reply from autobulbs. They suggest moving the ballasts or covering the wiring with foil.

I can't move the ballasts very far as the cables aren't that long. Not sure about the foil suggestion.

Sounds like a bit of a fob off.
 
Cheers mike not sure if you,ve viewed the item but it does come with a 2 year warranty and feed back is very good for the seller.

And if i have a problem with them i contact them direct so fingers crossed.

I,ll pm you for fitting cost plus the passenger side heated mirror still is not working so will ask if you can have look if i cross you palm with gold/paper(notes).
 
Just ordered a pack of ferrite RFI choke suppressors - going to put some on the cabling off the ballasts, and some on the back of the head unit, see if it knocks it out.
Strangely, this morning, the RFI almost completely disappeared for a minute or two, then sort of phased in and out. It's a bit odd. It also seems to be worse on the lower end of the FM radio band.

I also installed my Osram Nightbreakers for my main beams - they are a bit brighter than the old ones, and slightly less yellow, but they're still nothing like a colour match for the 6000k HIDS!
 
Hi Dan,

I'll wait and see if they work for you before ordering.

The only thing I found in Halfrods was an interference supressor that goes onto the main power wire on the alternator. I'll fit it and see if it helps.

I presume you can pick up RFI choke suppressors in Maplins?
 
I ordered my RFI Chokes off ebay - there are loads on there. Will let you know how I get on when I get to it.
 
I got my Hids from hids4u super fast delivery, i went for the 5000k with the anti-glare. Mikes fitting the at ADI just looking at some upgrades for the full beam

Cheers Phil
 
Ok - I had my bonnet off at the weekend after having washed the car (by hand), and I couldn't help but notice that both my ballasts and associated wiring were damp. Should I be concerned?
 
I don't think that should be a problem. The ballasts are water resistant and would need to be as moisture under the bonnet is not unusual.
 
Just make sure that the connectors on the ballast box are facing downwards - this will ensure that water just drips off from the cable instead of seeping into the connector and past the seals, as would happen if they were on top.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Was just thinking that there is a drain pipe that run from under the windscreen and goes down through the engine. Just check that it didn't become disconnected and could possibly be causing your moisture problem.

I'm aware of it as I had to disconnect it to get the the top strut bolts when replacing the driver's side spring.
 
I did look at the drain pipe, there was a bit of dampness on the outside of that too, but the ballast on the nearside was also damp, so I guess it just gets in there whatever happens.
Am going to look at ways to cure the RF interference when I get round to fitting my Bose upgrade as I'll be having the head unit out at that point so I'd rather only have to do that once... Got some RFI chokes delivered though ready.
 
the grim reeper said:
I got my Hids from hids4u super fast delivery, i went for the 5000k with the anti-glare. Mikes fitting the at ADI just looking at some upgrades for the full beam

Cheers Phil
Click to expand...

Hi Phil

Have you had chance to try out the new lights? I am thinking of buying the same Hid kit so would be interested in your comments on their performance. Also wondered if you think the anti glare bulbs are worth the extra

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
Hi Phil

Have you had chance to try out the new lights? I am thinking of buying the same Hid kit so would be interested in your comments on their performance. Also wondered if you think the anti glare bulbs are worth the extra

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...

They look great, had to lift the beam patern but that only look a minute or so, me and Alanb never got the chance to compare as he got the 6000k ones but yes they do look the dogs.

Cheers Phil

Thanks again well worth the extra work Mike
 
Absolutely no problems Phil. Glad you like the end results too. Although the bulbs we fitted were quite different to the normal retrofit jobs (actually re-based D2Rs for the technically minded), the connectors on them were standard, so you can always change them for different colour temps if you want to experiment (4300K, 6000K or even go silly and try 8000K, but I don;t recommend it).

Cheers,

Mike
 
Ok, am still getting RFI on my FM radio with the HIDs on - never had this before and this is my 3rd car with retrofit HIDs. I phoned Autobulbs this morning and their recommended fixes are:
1. more shielding around the aerial cabling
2. wrap the ballasts/cabling with aluminium foil!

They said if that didn't work then perhaps I needed to upgrade the ballasts to the "ultimate" ones? Hmm.

Any thoughts?
 
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