[Shotimes] OT: HID's and Headlight Relays?

[clubairth@bellsouth.net]

Sorry for the OT but lighting is kind of a SHO issue! At least it is for me!

 Do HID headlamps need headlight relays? Would they work better with relays? 
The HID uses much less power, about 35W is somewhat standard. Regular 
Halogen lights are usually 55W and up. The ballast inside the HID takes care 
of firing off the high voltage start up pulse. I know on my SHO the relays 
made a noticeable difference before I upgraded the bulbs.

 This came up on my wife's Lincoln LS. The factory HID option has relays 
installed in the under hood power distribution box. If the car has 
conventional Halogen lighting from the factory then no relays. The spot is 
there for the relay but no sockets.
 But people like me have been upgrading our cars by just plugging in the HID 
to the stock wiring with no problems. Everything seems to work fine? Now as 
cheap as Ford/Lincoln is I know those relays are in there for a reason!
.
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