Ive been searching through the forum and cannot find a simple consolidated answer to this problem.. I just installed HIDs into my fogs (6000k) about 3 months ago and now my factory HIDs look pretty dim compared to the new fogs. When I have just the headlights on they look okay but when the fogs are turned on they seem to wash out the headlights so when I cut the fogs off, I find myself double-checking to make sure the headlights are still on. I have an 04 SE and I am pretty sure the previous owner never changed the bulbs.

My question is, can I just buy some HID bulbs and splice them into the factory ballast or should I buy a whole HID kit and run a relay into the new set? (and just bypass the factory ballasts altogether). Im asking because to replace the factory HID bulbs, Ive read those prices are much higher than the price to buy a brand new HID kit.

Thanks in advance everyone

 

If you have factory HID's then you don't have to splice anything. Just get some replacement bulbs and switch out the old with the new. Done deal.

 

Not sure what prices you are seeing, and why you'd splice in? Just do what 6.5 said and get some bulbs. Check the vendor section or hit up Maxpower for bulbs...

 

You won't need to splice anything, just get some D2S bulbs and you're set. Keep the temperature down to 4300K-5000K.

Over time, old bulbs lose a ton of lumens (output). That's why your new fogs are brighter than your headlights.

 

Okay thanks. I found a deal at DDM Tuning with D2S bulbs for $15 might have to jump on that because I have ordered from there before. Is the factory output 4300k or 5000k?

 

4300K

 

Correct. OP, what temperature did you get for your fogs?

 

Make sure that it's not replacement bulbs for an HID kit. Also, you should get something that matches the color of your fogs unless it's yellow or something.

 

Hi guys, I was wondering if the stock ballast can handle a 6000k output without shortening the life of the ballast?

 

the ballasts can handle anything from 3000k to 30000k, which is just the color temp of the bulb. it has nothing to do with the wattage, strength, or otherwise, unless the bulbs are specifically 50 watt bulbs

 

Ok, if I cant use replacement bulbs from an HID kit what should I get? Heres the link to the bulbs Im looking at: http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HI...lacements-Pair

btw, my fogs are 6000k

 

Maybe someone can enlighten me but I have found 6000k D2S bulbs for 100 bucks, and they are not sold in sets so I would need to spend 200 to replace my headlights.

I kinda wanna go with the same place that I bought my HID fogs cause of the color variations you find in different brands/temps

 

bought 2 replacement bulbs from napa, 200$..... OEM

 

My apologies ahead of time if this is a stupid question - I haven't dealt much with my headlight bulbs yet.

Is a D2S bulb the same as a 9012 bulb?

 

Here's some Philips bulbs (2) for $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Phili...Q5fAccessories

 

So hid replacement bulbs will not work?

 

It depends on if they come with AMP connectors or not.

You need D2S bulbs without AMP connectors at the end. Email DDM or any other company you're gonna buy from and ask before hand.

 

I changed my bulbs and used ddm 4300k. I had issues. My passenger side sometimes wouldn't come on. Had to keep switching it off and on to make it come on. I swapped the stock osram bulbs back in and the lights work fine. Also running 3000k hid fogs. Check out the retrofit source for stock bulbs.

 

Ok I checked the retro fit source and basically I'm looking at the morimoto 35w bulbs.. Thats all I have to order and they would work?

 

Thanks, I bought them

 

Did you pay $99 + shipping or $109 + shipping? When I was looking last night and posted that, they were $99 + shipping. When I looked at them this morning, he had raised the price to $109 + shipping.

 

Well, it's a lot better than a 100 a bulb + shipping from other places IMO. So, either way the guy got a good deal

 

I do agree, it is a good deal. I'll be buying a set soon myself. It's just kinda crappy that the seller raised the price 10 bucks.

 

Yeah, I don't know why they do that sometimes. Maybe it's so the shipping doesn't effect the money they wanna make out of them. Probably a good idea to get your set soon before he decides to raise the price again.

Also, it's always a good idea to have some backup when your HID's go out. You don't wanna wait a week for replacements with the infamous pink headlight.

 

Yup that's all you need. Morimoto's are nice bulbs.

 

Get yourself some OEM 85122 or 85122+ D2S bulbs. Kit bulbs are almost never as good or bright as factory. Check ebay, you can get some for less than $100 shipped.

 

My major thing is I wasnt trying to pay that much for bulbs because I still do not know for sure or not if the bulbs have truly gotten "weaker", if I notice a major difference my next step will be to order some Morimotos.. DDM Tuning emailed me back and told me the D2S bulbs are sold without amphenol connectors.. Im considering buying these to try them out because they do come with a 1 year warranty. Worse comes to worse Ill just return them. Does anyone else have any experience with DDM?

 

ddm kits are good. there the only hid pnp i would buy. i have them in my accord with the morimoto projectors and they light up really good. i have them in the max for my fogs. the only bad i hear of them are the bulbs. they have been known to switch the kelvin ratings on the bulbs. the color of their bulbs vary. the ballast are solid.

 

I guess Im going to order 5000k because either way it should come out very white.

 

I know the Morimoto 5000K's are absolutely pure white with no blue and they're really bright. I used them in a customers retro and it made me want a set of their bulbs for myself.

 

I never saw the 99, so I bought them for 109 + 9 dollars shipping, an extra 9 dollars does not bother me, there are several listing for the same bulbs, one set is listed at 99.

Anyways Thanks again I almost bought these bulbs from xenondept and it would have cost me 220 with a 20% discount.

 

What you're probably experiencing is an extremely bright foreground due to your foglights which would make the rest of light further ahead seem dull. However OEM bulbs are the best. I've read many reports of people saying that DDM has horrible customer service and slow shipping times. If you're bent on going aftermarket, then Morimotos should be okay. TRS does have excellent customer service.

 

Okay, Ive decided Im going to wait and buy the Morimotos (if Im not going to do it right why do it at all?) but first Im waiting on the technician at work to let me know how much he is going to charge me to install my Eibachs and do an alignment. Once I get my money in order, Ill be perfect. Just trying to set up before Import Alliance!

 

My advice since you got factory HID's is to go for the best thing in the market (Phillips). You get what you pay for since cheaper bulbs won't last as long and you'll end up paying a lot of money in the long run. They are the ONLY brand that is certified to provide you the best HID's possible. Especially their kits. The only turn off to consumers would be the unusually high price for their bulbs and kits.

Not saying that DDM tuning bulbs aren't good since I got them in both my headlights and fogs. But, I did an HID conversion. So, that's a different situation all together. They have greatly improved in their customer service department and shipping was FAST. Also, they use Apexecone bulbs which are high quality and are usually expensive. Once you open the box and check the bulbs, you can clearly see that they've been tested out already.

It also helps to do some research to help you determine if I'm telling you the truth or I'm lying.

 

I personally am a fan of ddm because I have ordered from them before and they are one of the highest chosen sources for hids on other forums I used to use for my explorer. The only other company I have used before I might consider is vvme. The issue partly lies in that the ddm bulbs are $15 but the shipping is $12. The morimotos are $45 before shipping (haven't had a chance to get a shipping quote on them).

Yes the Phillips are most likely going to be the better set, but I have confidence in ordering from ddm or rfc.

 

Noob question? How do I know if I have factory HID? Sorry guys...

 

I just recently learned this myself. Look at the bottom front of the headlight assembly. There are some letters and numbers - if you see "D2S" then you have HID.

 

Noob question, google 30 seconds.....

 

Thanks O, I appreciate it and check it out.

 

BNIB Morimoto's FTW > used Phillip's. I personally even like Osram's > Phillip's but that's OT.

OP if you want, I'll give you a coupon code for free shipping so the bulbs will come out to $45 flat.