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1324
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 11:37 am: | 
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Sounds about right. I've had a few HID kits over the years and this kit is the high quality and least expensive. Proof that China is kicking ass. Nice connectors, good fit and finish, no complaints. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 12:02 pm: |
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It'd be neat to develop a "best practice" H.I.D. kit listing all the parts and pieces to do a top quality H.I.D. install in a Buell.
I'm thinking a list of all the parts (relays, harness, light kits) and then detailed instructions.
One of the real weak spots in the XB12X is the lighting. I want to improve mine but I want to make certain I do it right and maintain the reliability.
For now I'm using PIAA Extreme White bulbs in the factory housings and a set in outboard PIAA driving lights.
It works okay but it's not as good as I would prefer.
I'm nuts about having LOTS of light and have been spoiled by German cars that light the road light daylight 1/2 mile ahead.
I changed the lamps in the 2010 Focus while at Homecoming. Not German, but a heck of a lot better. |
Andymnelson
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 12:18 pm: |
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I'll do a detailed write up when mine come in- shouldn't need anything other than the kit, delay relay (optional), some wire, connectors, tape, zip ties etc!
And, I'll be installing one in a LIghtning and one in a Uly, so both camps can benefit from it!
Stay tuned!  |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 12:46 pm: |
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quote:That sound like the ones?
Nope, the DDM's ship from California (probably made in China though)
quote:And, I'll be installing one in a LIghtning and one in a Uly, so both camps can benefit from it!
Only difference between the two is the Uly makes it easier to store the ballasts. Everything else is identical. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 01:02 pm: |
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I'll tell Jack to get to work. |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 01:55 pm: |
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@Court - I've been contemplating doing a writeup based on what I did with pre-bought h3 harnesses from ebay. I liked Jeepinbuellers write up, but was difficult for us to match up an install with DIY wiring to using pre-bought harnesses. I know I had to do some minor hacking, couple solder jobs (easy shiz though) and some heatshrinking. It was so easy a caveman could do it.
Also for your Focus, there are writeups on retrofitting ebay projectors with OEM projector assemblies to get almost OEM Hid lighting. I'm currently in the last stages of getting my SVT conversion on my 05 ZX3 done and going all out with the projector retrofit with DDM ballasts.
here is writeup for the pre-08 headlights http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23 562&sid=f5fffb2fbcf7e2240da5001d4e4e6dff Sure it will be almost identical to the post-08 focus headlights save for the weird shape of the new ones |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 02:01 pm: |
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When Jack says we're ready . . . we're ready.
I have never been steered wrong by a 9 year old engineer. |
Sifo
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 02:16 pm: |
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Does anyone else use silicone caulk when splicing wires? I like to give a little squirt inside the heat shrink tubing before I shrink it, then wipe off any excess. I never had a problem with this method, but is it overkill? |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 02:26 pm: |
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Does anyone else use silicone caulk when splicing wires? I like to give a little squirt inside the heat shrink tubing before I shrink it, then wipe off any excess. I never had a problem with this method, but is it overkill?
} I did little bit of duct tape around the edges of the heatshrink just to be extra sure. Maybe silicone or tape is overkill but ya never know. Better safe than sorry cuz this whole project was a huge PITA! |
Triumph_bonnie
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 09:32 pm: |
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Well I have picked up a set for my Firebolt but am trying to figure out with much difficulty where I should stuff the ballasts? Any suggestions or ideas? |
Terrys1980
| | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 08:53 am: |
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@Triumph
 |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 10:25 am: |
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+1 on Terrys post.
They fit extremley snug right over top of the projector housings. Get some extra long zip ties, stuff em in and secure them. Works like a champ! |
Triumph_bonnie
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 10:38 am: |
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Looks like I will have to give that a try! Thanks Guys. |
Terrys1980
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 03:53 pm: |
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Here is some info I posted on the timer relay for those who are interested in wiring this up.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=3842&post=1853354#POST1853354 |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 04:34 pm: |
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Terry, do you got the "whale tail" halo thing in the low beam? Thats kinda annoying, and that the low beam isn't as bright as the high to. Is that just a wattage thing? Don't wanna have to buy a high beam assembly! Wonder if I can remove the whale tail... I gotta take my fairing off tonight, accidently disconnected my speedometer stuffing my wires up under the gauges! Also gonna re aim the headlights per the manual.
Cool writeup on the timer delay, was it easier than relay harnesses?
(Message edited by b00stzx3 on June 25, 2010)
(Message edited by b00stzx3 on June 25, 2010) |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 04:42 pm: |
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The whale tail has to do with the spoon inside the housing. This is there to help aim the light and prevent it from blinding oncoming traffic.
Of course the low isn't as bright as the high, duh  |
Andymnelson
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 04:54 pm: |
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quote:Of course the low isn't as bright as the high, duh
Actually it is! Same bulb, therefore same light output. How it is reflected and focused is different. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 04:57 pm: |
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Yea but if it is reflected differently to not appear as bright, then it isn't, or something.....
 |
Andymnelson
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 05:10 pm: |
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lol
Here's the hint: "high beam" not "brights" as we used to call them! It's "higher" not brighter. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming....instead of the schematics I interjected  |
Terrys1980
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 05:39 pm: |
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@Boo - Yea I have the halo effect going on too. I ride with both on at all times though.
I haven't wired it up yet, but it shouldn't be anymore difficult than wiring the relay. I need to go pick up a relay from the auto parts store. |
Terrys1980
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 05:48 pm: |
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Not if you have dual filament bulbs. |
Andymnelson
| | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 06:04 pm: |
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which both Lightning and Firemolt do not...they are both single filament... |
