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

[clubairth@bellsouth.net]

Ian:
 Yes. The LS had a HID option from the factory and I now have purchased a 
set of HID headlights. The spot for the relays is in the power distribution 
box but no wires are run to the sockets. I think I will just try and copy 
the factory relay setup. I have several of the style I need from a recent 
junk yard visit.
.
.
There is no way for 90 V to get to the headlight switch!! It's only 12 VDC 
until you get inside the HID assembly and the ballast takes over. So no it 
won't put high voltage on your headlight switch wiring! But I am MUCH more 
concerned about the load or amperage running thru the switch!
.
.



> Were any of those LS's available with HID's as an
> option? Its possible that the relays are already in
> place.
>
> It is possible to run the HID's without relays but
> it's a huge gamble. Not everyone will have problems
> but you would be overloading the stock wiring in the
> SHO if you did it without relays.
>
> For some good reading, go to www.hidplanet.com and
> read the forums and/or FAQ there.
>
> Are the Lincoln relays cheap? If not, why not consider
> Bosch relays or a pre-made harness like the
> suvlights.com harness? It already comes with BOSCH
> relays and can't be easily replicated for much less
> than they charge. Their 9007 harness is an excellent
> deal and well made.
>
> Ian
>
> --- clubairth@bellsouth.net wrote:
>
>> 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!