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

[clubairth@bellsouth.net]

Ian:
 That is kinda my question. But I will install the factory Lincoln relay 
setup when I get time. I have found as least 4 or 5 people that are running 
HID's without the relays in the LS and have no problems yet?
.
.
.

> Yes, you should use relays. The  ballasts can draw as
> much as 40a each upon startup. You don't want all of
> that going through your headlight switch.
>
> A decent headlight harness such as the one from
> www.suvlights.com should work fine.
>
> As far as beam pattern and output, the SHO headlight
> isn't setup optimally for retrofitted HID capsules.
>
> Ian
>
> --- clubairth@bellsouth.net wrote:
>
>> The factory relays are mechanical.
>> .
>> .
>>
>>
>>
>> >I know you don't want to use solid-state relays, so
>> the slow
>> >electrical-switching characteristics of a
>> mechanical switch might not be
>> >ideal, either, for longevity.
>> >
>> > The relays are also a safety feature. Don't want
>> 90V sitting on the light
>> > switch should a module component fail.
>> >
>> > David
>> >
>> >
>> >>
>> >>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!