Ballasts - The Most Important Part Of A HID Kit

Purpose of ballasts

The most important part of a HID kit is the ballast. Its function is to supply enough voltage to ignite the lamp and then to regulate the flow of electricity. HID bulbs draw more electrical current than they need to operate and if the ballast was not there to provide a positive reactance, the lamp would quickly destroy itself. This ensures that a high intensity beam is produced and the light does not fluctuate.

Ballasts require an ignitor to provide this initial voltage to ionize the xenon gas inside the bulb. Once the lamp is lit the ignitor stops automatically and the ballast stabilizes and maintains the brilliant white light created by the arc of the bulb. Many manufacturers combine the ballast and ignition parts in the same housing. Though complex devices in themselves, when sold in HID kits they are intended to be used as a 'plug and play' mechanism. It should be noted that HID ballasts are only to be used with car and motorcycle headlight applications.

Digital ballasts

Most manufacturers are now using slim digital ballasts in their HID kits. While they are more expensive, they have many benefits which make this new technology very worthwhile. These electronic ballasts often use IC chips and feedback to apply safety features and improved controls into ballasts. Fault mode protection includes open and short circuit protection, over and under voltage safety, and flashing light protection. The digital aspect also allows the temperature at which the ballast operates to be controlled at a consistent level which promotes the life of the bulb. Other advantages are the fact that it is small and lightweight and therefore saves on space. Digital ballasts also give enhanced power regulation, easier lumen maintenance and improved color constancy. Functioning at a higher frequency means that the ballast produces more light but uses less energy and so is much more efficient. You can use a HID kit with digital ballasts with almost all modern cars without causing any onboard computer problems.

Buy quality ballasts

There are vast disparities in the quality of HID kits being sold online. Since ballasts are the core of a HID headlight system, the performance of your HID kit is greatly affected by second-rate ballasts. Faulty ballasts are also extremely dangerous as high voltage is produced from ballasts. Furthermore, they cannot be repaired so if they are not working properly you will have to spend extra money on replacing them. Therefore it is crucial to buy HID kits from reputable companies who can guarantee that they have been put through rigorous testing and have passed quality control. Ballasts should be designed to be durable and manufacturers should be able to guarantee that they are waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. Good companies who stand behind the quality of their products will also give a one or two year guarantee on their HID kits so if something does go wrong you can have it fixed without any extra cost to yourself.

Here is what you will get with a basic HID kit. This shop carries every type of HID bulb sold on the market today!